Hmm, after reading some of the replies, it seems cost for an EMT-B class must vary quite a bit by area. One response threw out a figure of $1,000, for example. I know here in the Chicagoland area, Loyola offers an EMT-B course for $750. I took mine though at a community college about 10-15 minutes from Loyola, for a cost of $450 with all added fees beyond the straight tuition.
That said, the decision on whether or not to go for the licensure really depends a lot on your specific area and what you want to do with it. I took my class last spring, the first year of two needed to take all of my prereqs and other desired classes. My intention at the time was to then try to work 2 12 hour shifts a week as an EMT while continuing my studies this year, since I do need to bring in $200 a week or so beyond my wife's income to keep us in decent shape, and I thought it would be nice to do so in a way that would also provide some clinical experience beyond shadowing. I had not done my research though - there is really nowhere nearby where an EMT-B licensure would allow me to be involved in 911 calls or any truly emergency situations. Instead, I would really only be able to work for private ambulance companies handling transport - as my instructor put it, "glorified taxi driving that doesn't pay as well." After really, truly thinking things over, while that would pay the bills and provide some clinical experience, it still was not something that I would consider fulfilling - for myself at any rate; for others it is a good fit and a great way to get some experience. When multiple instructors at the community college asked me to consider tutoring there in the basic sciences and also for the EMT program, I decided that would be a better fit for me.
You mentioned a lack of patient contact in hospital volunteering near you - an EMT-B licensure may open up more doors as far as that goes. Once I decided that I would go with the tutoring position rather than working as an EMT, I started looking into ways that I could still use my licensure. One was certainly in tutoring students from this year's EMT classes, but while I enjoy that, it is of course rather lacking in patient contact/clinical experience. So I dug around a bit, and found a free clinic in the westside of Chicago that has invited me for a training session next month. I should end up helping with patient triaging once a week once I get started (mainly vitals and histories). I certainly didn't need the license to get the position, but I was told that there is typically a waiting list to volunteer there, and having that licensure allowed me to jump the list and get involved much sooner.
Another possibility would have been the ER at the hospital where I did my clinical observations last spring. One of my fellow tutors volunteers there, but finds it rather boring since he is usually just asked to run things from the ER to another department, or possibly replace linens and other basic supplies. If I had opted to volunteer there rather than the clinic, then I would be asked to take vitals, help position patients, place/remove leads, and other tasks that while still very basic would at least be quite a bit more interesting than fetching coffee. I know one guy who was in my EMT class last spring who asked about jobs while doing his clinicals during the class, and was hired on as an ER tech before even finishing the class. Along with the other basics he was trained to do ECGs - not to read them mind you, but it is generally the techs in that ER that obtain the actual ECG.
Overly long story short - do some real research into exactly what would be possible in your area, and decide if you like the sound of it. The class in and of itself? Interesting, but not wildly. It could definitely be worthwhile though if it will open up some doors for you with volunteering or maybe part-time work. Just be sure that the doors it opens are worthwhile for you, first.
