How does one get certified as EMT?

[prettyslick]

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how do you do that?

 

[armybound]

took some courses at the local community college. it included lecture time and clinical hours. afterwards you take a certification exam either through your state or the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT)

 

[prettyslick]

took some courses at the local community college. it included lecture time and clinical hours. afterwards you take a certification exam either through your state or the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT)

Are these courses "EMT" courses that are required?

 

[armybound]

Are these courses "EMT" courses that are required?

yeah.. it's instruction on how to be an EMT.. ? everything you need to know about procedure and technique, safety, first aid, etc.

you don't just take a test. being an EMT is largely practical, not just knowledge

 

[prettyslick]

yeah.. it's instruction on how to be an EMT.. ? everything you need to know about procedure and technique, safety, first aid, etc.

you don't just take a test. being an EMT is largely practical, not just knowledge

typically how long does it take to finish this process (taking all the requires courses and passing the exam)?

 

[armybound]

typically how long does it take to finish this process (taking all the requires courses and passing the exam)?

i'm sure there are some accelerated courses that can get you done over the summer. it took me 3-4 months (one semester)

 

[prettyslick]

I want to volunteer as EMT, how do I find volunteer opportunities as EMT? talk to hospitals?

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I want to volunteer as EMT, how do I find volunteer opportunities as EMT? talk to hospitals?

Talk to fire depts or rescue squads.

 

[armybound]

I want to volunteer as EMT, how do I find volunteer opportunities as EMT? talk to hospitals?

you'd probably want to talk to fire departments and see if they have volunteer squads.

most hospitals won't let you volunteer and actually use your training because you become a liability and can get them sued.

 

[rrcru7]

Ok I am an EMT in NJ, here is what I did:

- you need to find a squad. To begin, its usually a volunteer squad that runs in conjunction with a fire company. So find the volunteer fire companies in your and surrounding towns (if you cant find them ask the police), and see if they have a volunteer EMS company.
- To become a true EMT, you will need to become certified. This entails taking a course, (which runs from 1-4 months, mine was 4 months, classes on monday/wednesday night, and saturdays all day)
- after the course is done you need to take the certification examination. Some states have a state level certification exam, others use a national certification exam (which is harder, but it will allow you to ride in all states that use the national).
After you pass, you will be a full fledged EMT, with a company, and riding. Good luck!

another word of advice: you will need to be CPR certified, so while you look try to get that done.

 

[Deac27]

i'm sure there are some accelerated courses that can get you done over the summer. it took me 3-4 months (one semester)

A one semester class will get you certification as an EMT-Basic. Depending on which state you live in, it may be necessary to go to EMT-Intermediate, as many states no longer let anything lower than EMT-I work on the road. That certification will probably tack on one more quarter's worth of class (that's what it was for me).

I want to volunteer as EMT, how do I find volunteer opportunities as EMT? talk to hospitals?

As mentioned, volunteer fire squads are probably your best bet, but you may also want to ask around your college. There was a volunteer campus EMS group at my undergrad.

Ok I am an EMT in NJ, here is what I did:

- you need to find a squad. To begin, its usually a volunteer squad that runs in conjunction with a fire company. So find the volunteer fire companies in your and surrounding towns (if you cant find them ask the police), and see if they have a volunteer EMS company.
- To become a true EMT, you will need to become certified. This entails taking a course, (which runs from 1-4 months, mine was 4 months, classes on monday/wednesday night, and saturdays all day)
- after the course is done you need to take the certification examination. Some states have a state level certification exam, others use a national certification exam (which is harder, but it will allow you to ride in all states that use the national).
After you pass, you will be a full fledged EMT, with a company, and riding. Good luck!

another word of advice: you will need to be CPR certified, so while you look try to get that done.

This account is correct, though I thought I'd add a few things. As to finding a squad, if you start the EMS program at your local CC, you will be required to do clinical rides for class, which will be a good way to get to know the services in your area. After you pass registry (assuming national), you'll be able to apply for reciprocity in your state, then get a job /volunteer with a company. Any given company will have a short training period as well once you start working for them. Finally, most programs I know of will teach and test for CPR during the class, so you may not need to do that before hand. Look into the programs in your area and see what you can find out.

 

[triplerox]

A one semester class will get you certification as an EMT-Basic. Depending on which state you live in, it may be necessary to go to EMT-Intermediate, as many states no longer let anything lower than EMT-I work on the road. That certification will probably tack on one more quarter's worth of class (that's what it was for me).



As mentioned, volunteer fire squads are probably your best bet, but you may also want to ask around your college. There was a volunteer campus EMS group at my undergrad.



This account is correct, though I thought I'd add a few things. As to finding a squad, if you start the EMS program at your local CC, you will be required to do clinical rides for class, which will be a good way to get to know the services in your area. After you pass registry (assuming national), you'll be able to apply for reciprocity in your state, then get a job /volunteer with a company. Any given company will have a short training period as well once you start working for them. Finally, most programs I know of will teach and test for CPR during the class, so you may not need to do that before hand. Look into the programs in your area and see what you can find out.

is it possible to work part time as emt? since ima be in school and all that...how demanding is the course?

 

[armybound]

is it possible to work part time as emt? since ima be in school and all that...how demanding is the course?

most EMT shifts are 24 hours. there are part time positions, but they'll still be really long shifts.

you could do like I did and use the certification to get employment in the hospital, like in the ER or ICU

 

[NewmansOwn]

If anyone interested is still in college, you can leverage your EMT-B certification to get a post as a medic/safety officer for a sports team. I signed on as the medic for my college's cycling team, served as the safety officer in their meetings and attended to on-road trauma during races. The time committment was cake and adcoms tend to think it's unique and interesting.

I like to consider this the 'dermatology' of EMT work.

 

[llee8820]

most EMT shifts are 24 hours. there are part time positions, but they'll still be really long shifts.

you could do like I did and use the certification to get employment in the hospital, like in the ER or ICU

Armybound, you seem like a knowledge person, I have a few questions if you don't mind.

First off how much did you EMT training cost?
Second what is the name your hospital job? Did you just apply for it with your EMT certification?

Thanks.

 

[SayVYas]

Armybound, you seem like a knowledge person, I have a few questions if you don't mind.

First off how much did you EMT training cost?
Second what is the name your hospital job? Did you just apply for it with your EMT certification?

Thanks.

I don't mean to hijack his/her response but:

EMT-B class costs vary from location to location; however, in my area (metro-city), it costs $700-900.

Hospitals hire EMT-B and CNAs as "patient care techs" or "ER techs," whose purpose is to do smaller tasks so the nurse/doc can focus on other things (e.g. post-molds, blood draws, ekgs, transports, take vitals, make beds)

 

[armybound]

I don't mean to hijack his/her response but:

EMT-B class costs vary from location to location; however, in my area (metro-city), it costs $700-900.

Hospitals hire EMT-B and CNAs as "patient care techs" or "ER techs," whose purpose is to do smaller tasks so the nurse/doc can focus on other things (e.g. post-molds, blood draws, ekgs, transports, take vitals, make beds)

thanks for responding, I didn't realize this had also been posted (they sent me a PM).

in central Texas, training was something like $380 (6 hours of community college classes, plus fees and uniforms)

I said the same thing about techs/PCTs 👍