EMT Training around Berkeley, CA ?

[calflowergirl]

Does anyone know how to get a EMT training in the Bay Area (CA) ? I'd like to get certified this year while waiting for Med school. Can anyone give me some hints on how it works, how long, what can I do after?

Thanks!

GO Bears!!!

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[BerkeleyPremed]

You might want to call Alta Bates Hospital and see if they can connect you with the emergency care service that they use. I think each different emergency care service has its own training program in accordance with state and federal law. By the way, where are you applying? Also, are you an MCB major?

 

[anhoi]

hey,

i'm doing the emt-b certification as well, the only programs that are available are through private companies or the community college systems. hospitals won't train or certify emt-b.

i'm doing mine through a local community college, make sure you sign up really early and get all your prerequisites - they are very, very strict about them. they will drop you from the class if you don't have all prerequisites done by the start of the class, further, its extremely popular, so sign up asap.

requirements you need before the start of the class: standard first aid and cpr/bls certification, tetanus shot and hep b shots (at least 2 of the 3 in the series by the start), this gets pricey (I did my first aid and cpr at fast response on university avenue - cost me a $100), anyways, pm if you need more info.

 

[CharlesCA]

Originally posted by anhoi

i'm doing mine through a local community college, make sure you sign up really early and get all your prerequisites - they are very, very strict about them. they will drop you from the class if you don't have all prerequisites done by the start of the class, further, its extremely popular, so sign up asap.

At the CC I took it at the shots were required after you signed up for class. The CPR For the Professional Rescuer card was the only thing required to be with you the first day of class. If you got into the class but did not have the CPR card on you, the teacher made you go home and get it! They are very strict and the class is very popular. There was standing room only the first day of class (60 plus people, many of them unable to add the class). If you have nothing else (i.e. work/school) to do you might want to look into a summer 4 to 8 week class because 15 week classes just take to darn long. Good luck!

 

[cytanaka]

Hey, I did my EMT training a few years ago at Merritt College (AC transit goes right there, 30 min ride), which was alright. I've heard of many better classes, but the Merritt College class is the closest, as far as I know, cheap, and has a easy schedule (twice a week at nightime, about 3.5 hrs). Class goes on for a semester, which pretty much coincides with Cal's.
Afterwards, I personally decided to go to Los Angeles to work, since it's very very hard to find a job in the bay area running 911 calls. However, another option is becoming an ER tech, which is gonna require extra training: phlebotomy class, EKG class, and more depending on the hospital.
In order to take the EMT class, at least at Merritt, you need CPR cert and basic first aid, TB skin test. You'll need CPR for professional when you get hired up though, so might as well do it now.

Overall, being an EMT is a really crappy job, but I am glad I did it; just be prepared to get treated like dirt by everyone and have horrific hours. Good luck to you, and go Bears!

 

[calflowergirl]

Thanks everyone!
And yeah, I am MCB ...

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

I'm an integrative biology major but I'll have to take some MCB courses before I graduate. Is MCB 142 (Survey of Genetics) really hard? I also heard bad things about MCB 150 (Immunology)? Are these courses worth taking? Are the curves really vicious?

 

[JaYwOo55]

is anyone taking EMT classes this summer around cal?

 

[lderita46]

Why don't you try the EMS forum on SDN? It's listed under Medical Backgrounds or something like that, I think.