EMT Info

I'm a basic. Going to the paramedic status entails considerable more training. But, as a basic, yes... getting employement is usually easy - it's in high demand (mostly 'cuz you get paid so little). I thought it was a great experience...

Mostly you do nonemergency transfers, including a lot of phych transfers. Depending on your duty that day, or your company, etc, you can assist with medics for emergencies (i.e. 911 calls). I had the opportunity to perform CPR a few times in the four months of working as a basic.

Obviously, as a basic, you have virtually no pharmalogical training. If you become an intermediate, depending on the country you're in, you can work with a paramedic on an emergency (i.e. not a non-emergency transfer ambulance) ambulance... but you'll only do medical stuff at the scene 'cuz the medic will always be in charge of the patient.

my recommendation - it seems you're accepted to medical school? anyway, forget the EMT thing if that's the case and do something more fun with your life, jeez!

If you're hoping to use it as a boost to your application, it's a great idea and experience. I think i really found myself in the medical arena working as a basic.

it's also a lot of fun driving lights and sirens

 

Im not sure what you'll do with a Basic liscence in med school, but maybe you can find some time to volunteer, or ride along and get some good experience- I guess if youre going to a school where you dont get to see patients till 3rd year, you can brag to your fellow students about how you got to pump chest the other night. If you work in a rural area- there are actually all-basic rigs that respond to emergencies, but most of these are volunteer and calls can be rare.

i must agree w/kreno- theres nothing like going lights and sirens

 

Hi Kevo,
Besides going "lights and sirens", you can also work as an ER tech/ nurse's aid in an emergency room. I've been doing it for awhile now, and I really enjoy it. Especially if you are able to work at an ER that's also a Level 1 trauma center, you will probably get to see and do a lot of very interesting things.
I also just got my paramedic license this past year, and simply going through the program was a lot of fun. The program I took was nine months long and included clinical rotations as well as a 4 month field internship with the fire department.