EMT for gap year?

[revell1108]

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The local CC offers a summer accelerated course that will allow me to obtain a basic EMT technical certificate by mid-August. If I were to do this, would it be a worthwhile endeavor for a gap year? I live in a fairly large city and I was thinking it wouldn't be too difficult to find an EMT job.

 

[Deranged Medic]

I have spent a few years in EMS and love almost every single minute of it. If you can get over the long hours/low pay portion of the job, you should be in for a great time. However, be warned-it's not all car crashes and cardiac arrests.

If you are considering EMS to boost you resume, check out "Will EMS Help My Med School Application?"
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=412860

 

[medic86]

The local CC offers a summer accelerated course that will allow me to obtain a basic EMT technical certificate by mid-August. If I were to do this, would it be a worthwhile endeavor for a gap year? I live in a fairly large city and I was thinking it wouldn't be too difficult to find an EMT job.

I wouldn't do it JUST to boost your application. There are other methods of getting clinical experience that aren't as committed (imo).

BUT, if you want to do it because you want to see what it's like, it can't hurt. 😛

 

[CRCprofessional]

The problem I had after getting my EMT certification was finding a job that paid enough to live off of and didn't involve private companies. Most new EMTs start off through private companies, which is basically transporting. The pay is not very good either (sometimes as low as $8/hr). But, I think it could offer some good experience and definitely look good on your app.