Is it worth it to have both EMT+Red Cross Training?

[premedmind]

I was thinking about taking a local Red Cross class that is two days 9am-1:30pm each day about 16hrs.30min total. They include defibrillator training.

The class is: First Aid with CPR/AED-Adult, Child, Infant

Would it be worth it to take this $80 class if I plan on doing some EMT training later on down the road? Would it been seen at the same thing if I put the Red Cross training and EMT training on an application? I am not sure if I plan on being a full-blown EMT but I want to be at least a first responder.

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[MassTransport]

I picked up my red cross certification as part of my EMT class. Make sure that's not offered before sinking $80.

 

[emttim]

You need to have your BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) card before you enroll in an EMT program anyway which will teach you CPR and how to use the AED. If you want to do something to test the waters, but maybe not become an EMT, I would recommend getting a Healthcare Provider CPR card, specifically the AHA BCLS one, because that way if you decide to become an EMT, you're already BCLS-certified.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I was thinking about taking a local Red Cross class that is two days 9am-1:30pm each day about 16hrs.30min total. They include defribulator training.

The class is: First Aid with CPR/AED-Adult, Child, Infant

Would it be worth it to take this $80 class if I plan on doing some EMT training later on down the road? Would it been seen at the same thing if I put the Red Cross training and EMT training on an application? I am not sure if I plan on being a full-blown EMT but I want to be at least a first responder.

*smack*

Oh, and it's DEFIBRILLATOR.

 

[kylek044]

I was thinking about taking a local Red Cross class that is two days 9am-1:30pm each day about 16hrs.30min total. They include defibrillator training.

The class is: First Aid with CPR/AED-Adult, Child, Infant

Would it be worth it to take this $80 class if I plan on doing some EMT training later on down the road? Would it been seen at the same thing if I put the Red Cross training and EMT training on an application? I am not sure if I plan on being a full-blown EMT but I want to be at least a first responder.

It's not worth it.

Aside from the fact that your EMT course might (mine did!) require AHA "BLS For The Health Care Provider" (not ARC), you don't need any background in First Aid for EMT. Your EMT class will be over 120 hours... they will cover everything sufficiently; you don't need any type of head start.

If you go the EMR route, the same applies.

 

[premedmind]

Where can I get this AHA BLS certification?

So it would look stupid and not impressive if I had both Red Cross and EMT Training?

 

[emttim]

Where can I get this AHA BLS certification?

So it would look stupid and not impressive if I had both Red Cross and EMT Training?

At this point, looking stupid is probably not something you should be concerned with. Go to http://www.americanheart.org (AHA web site) and find the BLS class. Your local community college should offer an EMT course. It's going to look unimpressive whether you have Red Cross, EMT, or both for training. Nobody cares about a cert you never used.

The only reason I got my EMT cert is because I planned to use it, and in fact, I get paid to do stuff like respond to this thread because I'm at work right now and not running any calls.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Where can I get this AHA BLS certification?

So it would look stupid and not impressive if I had both Red Cross and EMT Training?

Getting both of them doesn't look "impressive", but neither does getting just one of the two. Getting any certification just because you want to pad your applicaiton or impress someone else (be it an ADCOM, be it a girl) just makes you look like a tool.

 

[ADeadLois]

I was thinking about taking a local Red Cross class that is two days 9am-1:30pm each day about 16hrs.30min total. They include defibrillator training.

The class is: First Aid with CPR/AED-Adult, Child, Infant

Would it be worth it to take this $80 class if I plan on doing some EMT training later on down the road? Would it been seen at the same thing if I put the Red Cross training and EMT training on an application? I am not sure if I plan on being a full-blown EMT but I want to be at least a first responder.

No, they definitely are not the same. RC training is probably the lowest common denominator responder training available.

 

[kylek044]

Where can I get this AHA BLS certification?

So it would look stupid and not impressive if I had both Red Cross and EMT Training?

No. Experience is impressive. If you have ARC or EMT and use one of them, then it's impressive. If you have both just because you want to go to medical school, then you look like a tool..

 

[premedmind]

Well, my university has a EMT training program tailored to the university students...they state that no prior experience is required...

Somewhat off topic: Would I be able to collaborate/meet with physicians as an EMT? I would like to shadow one someday..and thought this could be a good opportunity to meet some MDs.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Well, my university has a EMT training program tailored to the university students...they state that no prior experience is required...

Swing and a miss......two strikes, no balls......someone lob one to this guy so he doesn't strike out.......

Somewhat off topic: Would I be able to collaborate/meet with physicians as an EMT? I would like to shadow one someday..and thought this could be a good opportunity to meet some MDs.

Meet......maybe. Collaborate? Possibly, but more than likely no. I would highly recommend against becoming involved with EMS for that reason though.

 

[kylek044]

Somewhat off topic: Would I be able to collaborate/meet with physicians as an EMT? I would like to shadow one someday..and thought this could be a good opportunity to meet some MDs.

YES! My shadowing happened BECAUSE of my EMT class.

To get your cert you need clinical hours. This is a great time to meet Drs and network a little bit. If you mention that you enjoy the ED to the doc, s/he'll usually offer to let you stay to shadow.

 

[gujuDoc]

Only get the EMT if you plan on using it and becoming an EMT. Don't do it to pad your resume just for the sake of having it. There are many ways of getting clinical experience prior to medical school and all that is needed prior to med school is some exposure not a full time medical job. However, even if you wanted a job there are many ways and EMT is just one of them. Do whatever interests you the most but make sure to get something other then a certification out of it. certifications mean nothing if you make no use of them.

As an analogy, it is like those indian classical dancers that learn til the test we call the arangetram but never perform a day in their life after that performance, or like those black belts that think 1st degree is the end of their training when that is just a beginning.

The same way, EMT certification is useless unless you plan on using it to go out and work with the EMS.

 

[scrubsaresexy]

Meet......maybe. Collaborate? Possibly, but more than likely no. I would highly recommend against becoming involved with EMS for that reason though.

Wow, where do you run calls? I might pass one in the hall and they stare down at me because I have a shirt on that has the words "Fire" and "Department" on it 😀

People, please realize that every single state is different. I didn't need to have anything before my EMT class except HazMat Ops to ride equipment (and CPR and BBP, but that was a company policy). I also didn't have "clinical hours." Instead, we were required to go on 5 calls with an assigned paramedic preceptor in addition to reviewing things like radio communications and the locations of equipment. In my opinion, that was much more helpful to me than clinical work in the actual ED would have been.

I'm curious as to whether a majority of you with your EMT certs actually ride emergency or if you just do transport. I ride the engine as a volunteer EMT, and it's not something I take lightly. It's a decision I've made because I wanted to (just like deciding to also pursue the fire side of things is because I want to), and it's something that I'm very committed to. I feel like I don't get that vibe a lot on SDN; people seem to talk about getting EMT and not doing anything with it. If that's not the case, I'm sorry, but you might want to be a little more cautious as to how you present yourself, because "for my application" isn't a good reason to do anything.

And, for what it's worth, I took my class through my local Fire and Rescue Academy, and the pre-meds who took it just for pre-med stuff and not because they have a genuine driving passion for EMS were some of the worst EMTs I saw come out of that class, and they were looked down on by everyone else. Just a thought...

 

[Meatwad]

Well, my university has a EMT training program tailored to the university students...they state that no prior experience is required...

Somewhat off topic: Would I be able to collaborate/meet with physicians as an EMT? I would like to shadow one someday..and thought this could be a good opportunity to meet some MDs.

You're talking about the SBVAC, right? I was thinking of joining too, but the whole probie class thing seems a bit annoying. I was thinking of just taking an EMT class on Saturdays, 9 AM - 3 PM, that runs from Septembers to March. They have one at the East Setauket FD, which is close to school, as well as courses throughout most LI FDs or volunteer ambulance corps.

 

[premedmind]

You're talking about the SBVAC, right? I was thinking of joining too, but the whole probie class thing seems a bit annoying. I was thinking of just taking an EMT class on Saturdays, 9 AM - 3 PM, that runs from Septembers to March. They have one at the East Setauket FD, which is close to school, as well as courses throughout most LI FDs or volunteer ambulance corps.

Yeah...hehe, it's SBVAC. The main thing about it is that its convenient...they probably can accomodate your class schedule and work around it so you have time for the classes. The probie class isn't so bad as long as you still get experience (which I was told you do, if I recall correctly). You don't need any training to get started and pretty much all of the kids there are Stony Brook students - a nice way to get networking and whatnot. But I don't know much else about it, but I am looking to join because it's the best option for me to get direct clinical exposure (volunteering at a hospital is so cliche nowadays)...and possibly gain a shadowing opportunity (I need one badly)..also, I like the idea of being certified in something, I would be proud.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Wow, where do you run calls?

Well, I was trying to be facetious since the OP is obviously beyond clueless.....of course we meet docs. Granted whether it gets past just a knowing who they are depends on the EMT and the doc. In my case, about 6 or 7 docs I know through EMS are getting invited to my wedding next year. So yes, OP, you do get to meet docs.

 

[emttim]

I'm curious as to whether a majority of you with your EMT certs actually ride emergency or if you just do transport.

"Just transport" may be enough for most people who don't feel a crushing desire to endanger everyone on the road around them by running code 3 with lights and sirens. Ironically, on my ride along, all four 911 calls the truck I was on responded to were for complete bull**** complaints, whereas the majority of the patients I transport have valid complaints and actually require medical care.

911 doesn't necessarily mean emergency, and there's no real way to run "emergency", since 85% of all 911 calls are bull****, if not an even higher percentage. Food for thought. 🙂

 

[scrubsaresexy]

Sorry, didn't mean to ruffle feathers!

I just think it's important to realize that EMS is really different for everyone. I have yet to meet a doctor running calls, and most of my calls weren't bull****. So OP, if you really want to know what you'll get out of being an EMT in your area, you should probably find someone who runs calls where ever you might end up running calls. Asking on a message board only gets you so far.

 

[146233]

Whatever. OP, if EMS interests you, take the EMT course. Don't do it to pad an application or to meet docs. Don't do it for the glorious saves or the chicks. Do it for the money.

 

[emttim]

Do it for the money.

Lmfao!!!!! 😀