is EMT worth it?

[supastudier2000]

So i want to get an EMT certification, but i'm not 100% sure if i will be able to land a job as an EMT. I truely find the EMT profession to be interesting and the training to be even more interesting, i think its a super cool set of skills. Now obviously for the the sake of getting into med school, i know that the EMT certification is meaningless unless if i do something with it and make it meaningful, - If i were to become certified i would intend to find a meaningful experience with it. But it's not likely that i will be able to find a job, I think there is a 30% chance of me finding a meaningful job with the EMT certification due to time, and job availability, etc. My question is: is it worth it to get certified this summer? This summer I'm Studying for the mcat, taking online physics, and possibly getting an EMT certification.

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[coffee&scrubs]

So i want to get an EMT certification, but i'm not 100% sure if i will be able to land a job as an EMT. I truely find the EMT profession to be interesting and the training to be even more interesting, i think its a super cool set of skills. Now obviously for the the sake of getting into med school, i know that the EMT certification is meaningless unless if i do something with it and make it meaningful, - If i were to become certified i would intend to find a meaningful experience with it. But it's not likely that i will be able to find a job, I think there is a 30% chance of me finding a meaningful job with the EMT certification due to time, and job availability, etc. My question is: is it worth it to get certified this summer? This summer I'm Studying for the mcat, taking online physics, and possibly getting an EMT certification.

The MCAT and physics will take a lot of your time! If you say there is only a 30% chance you can find a meaningful job after dedicating so much time for certification, I'd advise against it. Spend your time this summer studying to get a great MCAT score. There are other clinical jobs you can get after this summer that require less certification. For example, I work as a medical assistant and receptionist, and I was hired without prior certification (just good shadowing experience). CNA certification takes only a few intensive weeks if you want to go that route, and you can do it towards the end of the summer or during winter break and places are always looking to hire CNAs/ER Techs.

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

If you can land a 911 job or volunteering gig straight out of it: yes.

 

[keolu hills]

I would say no. I would spend more time on studying for the MCAT exam. It is more important that you do well than get an EMT license.

 

[Tenk]

Absolutely not. MCAT is 100x more important than EMT and with another course your plate is already full.

 

[Medic741]

So i want to get an EMT certification, but i'm not 100% sure if i will be able to land a job as an EMT. I truely find the EMT profession to be interesting and the training to be even more interesting, i think its a super cool set of skills. Now obviously for the the sake of getting into med school, i know that the EMT certification is meaningless unless if i do something with it and make it meaningful, - If i were to become certified i would intend to find a meaningful experience with it. But it's not likely that i will be able to find a job, I think there is a 30% chance of me finding a meaningful job with the EMT certification due to time, and job availability, etc. My question is: is it worth it to get certified this summer? This summer I'm Studying for the mcat, taking online physics, and possibly getting an EMT certification.

No.

It's dangerous and 100,000% not worth it.

Source: Was a paramedic before medical school

 

[Hopeful101]

You need some kind of clinical contact to get accepted as well as good grades and MCAT. My friends all either did EMT work, phlebotomy, or scribing. There are probably more but not that I can think of. Also, if you apply to EMT jobs you'd probably be able to get one. No one stays an EMT-b. Its used as a stepping stone into nursing, medicine, or being a paramedic so there's always job openings because people are always moving to thee next step.

 

[sledpilot]

So i want to get an EMT certification, but i'm not 100% sure if i will be able to land a job as an EMT. I truely find the EMT profession to be interesting and the training to be even more interesting, i think its a super cool set of skills. Now obviously for the the sake of getting into med school, i know that the EMT certification is meaningless unless if i do something with it and make it meaningful, - If i were to become certified i would intend to find a meaningful experience with it. But it's not likely that i will be able to find a job, I think there is a 30% chance of me finding a meaningful job with the EMT certification due to time, and job availability, etc. My question is: is it worth it to get certified this summer? This summer I'm Studying for the mcat, taking online physics, and possibly getting an EMT certification.

hahahahahahah will you find a job?! Most ambulance companies will take you if you if you have an EMT license and a pulse.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

Agreed. Volunteer service

This. I was a volly at my towns rescue squad and ended up doing a couple thousand hours on call over a few years and even got into some leadership positions. Learned a ton. Definitely a great experience and a way to manage patients at a basic level and learn autonomy.

David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[mmchick]

Was a volunteer EMT for 3 years. Would recommend it til my last day. Ran volunteer service to a small town and had tons of clinical, hands-on, primary provider experience and made friends I'll have for life. One of my best experiences in life thus far. But like you said, without a job/position the license is useless, so keep your job prospects in mind.

 

[Wolvvs]

If there are volunteer positions available, I agree it's worth it. If you're in a major metro area, there may be only paid positions available, which while they're still helpful, it's not ideal, so it might be better to find a volunteer clinical experience.

 

[Talldoctor96]

Here’s my two cents, being an EMT was the best decision I ever made. I was able to get 3000 clinical volunteer hours through my collegiate EMS agency that I played an operation and clinical role in for four years. I was able to volunteer at a free clinic doing intake because of it. I was able to use it and my knowledge to build up the relationship with a medical director of a major EMS Agency and do 2 years of clinical research with him. I was able to do paid EMT work at a concert venue, the smithsonian and many other special event menus. Within the last month using my EMT I was able to volunteer with a covid hotline in dc. For this past year I have volunteered every Monday night at a real firehouse. I am 23 years old and have over 1000 patient encounters which definitely came accross in my interviews. Now this is obviously the extreme, but my point is EMT is what you make if it. It has a very very very high ceiling of potential, but you can also get ur CERT and never ride. Very much up to you.