Taking a year off, thinking EMT.

[Arcella]

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Hey everyone. Im graduating in may with my bachelors in biology. I am going to take a year off to work and take a couple classes at a CC before applying to grad school (med school, maybe PA even). What would be my best route to become an EMT? I think it would be very exciting and rewarding. I need something to change my life, and I believe this could really help me out. So what should I do?? Thanks a bunch!

 

[Vee]

I got my EMT through my college. But there is also a small EMS school in my area. I know the EMT course is also offered at various colleges and universities around here as well. You should investigate a little... I bet you could find a program near you relatively easily!

That sounds like a good idea. I took some time between undergrad and med school and spent it working as an EMT. And now I'm starting school in August 🙂

 

[TerraMedicX]

Check the CC that you're already taking classes at. Most of the EMT classes are run through CCs, but you can also check with local EMS agencies and if you can figure out what state department regulates EMS they should have a list of all approved training centers.

Just a word of advice though, if you want to get your EMT to improve your med school applications...find something else to do. If you want to get your EMT because it sounds interesting and you want to experience EMS then absolutely go for it!! I say this for two reasons: 1) Most of us who have been in EMS for a while, really resent the large number of people who only get their EMT 'cause they think it'll make them look better for med school (and trust me, there are enough people doing this that it won't matter) 2) EMS is NOT an easy thing to do, if you don't do it because it's what interests you/you enjoy, well you'll get really stressed out and be very unhappy...which will in turn make your partner unhappy! Like I said, there are lots of other ways to get clinical experience if that's all your looking for...and most of the time you'll actually get better experience. I also should mention that a lot of the EMS agencies that hire new EMTs (except for FDs) generally put you on a non-emergent transfer car for a few months to a year.

Hope I haven't completely discouraged you!! 😀 EMS really is a great profession, and if you find a good agency can be a whole lot of fun!

Nate.

 

[Arcella]

Oh, I do not want to do it to up my chances at medical school. I think it will be very interesting and exciting. But for taking the year off, I'm really worried that I won't even have enough time to work before grad school after I finish the training... How long does it take to become certified etc?

 

[deleted6669]

free emt training/housing/loan repayment.
great opportunity.

http://www.rvfd.org/volunteer/livein/livein.htm

 

[Vee]

Check the CC that you're already taking classes at. Most of the EMT classes are run through CCs, but you can also check with local EMS agencies and if you can figure out what state department regulates EMS they should have a list of all approved training centers.

Just a word of advice though, if you want to get your EMT to improve your med school applications...find something else to do. If you want to get your EMT because it sounds interesting and you want to experience EMS then absolutely go for it!! I say this for two reasons: 1) Most of us who have been in EMS for a while, really resent the large number of people who only get their EMT 'cause they think it'll make them look better for med school (and trust me, there are enough people doing this that it won't matter) 2) EMS is NOT an easy thing to do, if you don't do it because it's what interests you/you enjoy, well you'll get really stressed out and be very unhappy...which will in turn make your partner unhappy! Like I said, there are lots of other ways to get clinical experience if that's all your looking for...and most of the time you'll actually get better experience. I also should mention that a lot of the EMS agencies that hire new EMTs (except for FDs) generally put you on a non-emergent transfer car for a few months to a year.

Hope I haven't completely discouraged you!! 😀 EMS really is a great profession, and if you find a good agency can be a whole lot of fun!

Nate.

I've been working as an EMT for almost 5 years now and I absolutely love it. I will miss it very much when I start medical school in August. I actually got my EMT ticket before I decided to be premed... it was what made me want to become a physician. By being an EMT I got valuable clinical experience, though I'm going to miss my partners so, so much. I worked on a transfer truck for a while and still do every so often... I think it's just as valuable as working on the 911 truck. I love reading non-emergent patients' charts and seeing how their already-diagnosed problems are being treated.

But, if the sole reason someone wants to become an EMT is to better his/her chances of being accepted into medical school, I agree with you. He/she probably will not enjoy much success in the EMS field.

If he's doing it because he genuinely wants to change his life and thinks it would be exciting and riveting... more power to him!

 

[mrt438]

I graduated this past Spring with the same exact idea- solidify my desire to become a doctor by gaining experience as an EMT. Just as a note of caution, my experience has been a prolonged, frustrating headache with endless forms and beurocratic b.s. I shelled out a couple grand to take the Unitek accelerated EMT B course, 14 days straight at a courtyard by marriot. It then took about 2 more weeks to get my National Registry cert, which I then immidiatley took to my county EMS (marin, CA). Another two weeks and I was fully certified. Then I made the huge mistake of applying to AMR, which in my experience at least, is one of the most poorly run companies in the country. Long story short after two applications (total 40 pages easy), live scan fingerprints, doctors exam, DMV test for CA ambulance drivers cert, AMR writen EMT test (100 miles away) and interview at Marin station I find it is 3.5 months from when I took my NREMT exam. And to top it all off I was rewarded yesterday with the offer of a part time job (they declined to inform me until yesterday that the company is fully unionized and very rarely hires outside full timers) that doesn't start till March. My apologies for such a shameless rant but, I just want to emphasize that getting the EMT job may take a while. The obvious lesson is to apply to as many companies as possible. Also, in the Bay area I found there are extremley few volunteer oportunities.

 

[TerraMedicX]

Oh, I do not want to do it to up my chances at medical school. I think it will be very interesting and exciting. But for taking the year off, I'm really worried that I won't even have enough time to work before grad school after I finish the training... How long does it take to become certified etc?

Well that sounds like a great reason to do it! You've got a good point with the time constraint though. A basic EMT class will generally last about 3 months. You'll wait at LEAST a month to get your National Registry turned around and possibly more then that for your state (depending on how much of a hastle your state puts you through..I recently re-certed my paramedic and it took 9 months total!). If the link that Emedpa posted is what I think it is, that might be a really good option for you. Many volunteer fire departments REALLY need trained personel, and will happily pay to send you through class. While you don't get as extensive of an experience from most FDs if they don't transport the patient, you do get experience, and like others have said, even after you get your cert it can take a while to get hired by someone. You do need to be careful with these set-ups though 'cause many of them require a period of service (usually at least a year) and make you sign a contract. Good luck to you! If you have any specific questions feel free to ask or PM.

Nate.