Summer EMT Certification

[StritchMD2011]

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I'm interested in getting an EMT cert this summer at a CC near my home in Illinois. The college doesn't have their listing of summer courses up, but would it be possible for me to complete an EMT certification during my summer break from University? If so, how long are the classes, typically? Thanks!

 

[AverageMan]

I got mine over the course of a summer. It was an 11 week course which met for 3 hours a day, 4 days a week. It was a little tight; It started 2 weeks after my finals and I took the state licensing exam the night before I returned to school so it fit perfectly. Some states have same night scoring at some testing sites, so you can get your score right then and there, but otherwise it will take a few weeks to get your test scored and get your license mailed to you. I got my license in NY, so your particular requirements will most likely be different. If you go to school in another state than your home state, you might want to look into national EMT certification.

 

[PluckyDuk8]

It's fairly easy to find out when EMT classes are held in the community colleges around chicago. There should be a contact at each college and they would know how their summer session works. I know that Oakton in Des Plaines, for instance, holds a summer EMT-B class. Look online for the telephone number of the cc and they'll direct you to whoever is in charge of the emt class currently and they'll be able to tell you what goes on in the summer.

 

[donnyfire]

I got my EMT-B in WI as a summer course lasting 10 weeks, going only 8am-12noon daily, NREMT test was included at the end of the course.
Although this was in 1995, so it may be a little longer now.
I also was able to get on a volunteer EMS service at the same time, which is great for your EC's.

 

[trauma_junky]

Don't do it unless you plan to use it. It's a waste of time and possibly suck you into somthing that will distract you forever. I let an ER doc talk me into his Paramedic program. My grades took a nose dive after that because it was so intriguing. I have learned a lot, but not even a 4.0 in a masters program is convincing the ADCOMs otherwise. Besides, its all common knowledge. The intermediate and paramedic level is where you really begin to learn the medicine and learn to think like a physician. But take my advice, waste of time. The ADCOMS would be more impressed by research. Remember, the primary reader of you application is basic science faculty.

 

[donnyfire]

Originally posted by trauma_junky
Don't do it unless you plan to use it.

The ADCOMS would be more impressed by research.

I agree with trauma_junky on both of these points. But why not do both research and EMS, it worked for me.

I got my EMT-P in 1997, and have been working as a firefighter for the past five years, so it can get VERY distracting.

At the same time though, I feel it gave me a realistic view about being a doctor. I know that it's definetly what I want from life.
I turned this into an advantage by incorporating it into my personal statement.