Thinking about becoming an EMT.

[dcsurgeon]

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I know there are tons of threads on this subject, and I've read a lot of them, but I would still greatly appreciate if you guys could give me input on my current situation.

I am a semester or two away from having my Associates in Science and was planning on transferring to a university (from my CC) to do another two years and get my Bachelors in Biology. I'm currently volunteering at the national zoo (behavioral research) and Georgetown University Hospital. At the hospital I honestly do not do a lot. They told me to bring a book and I spend three out of four hours doing nothing. Occasionally I talk to patients and help them out with things. Physicians don't even glance at me. Not exactly gaining any "clinical or shadowing" experience. Was thinking of trying out other hospitals, but it took a while to even get accepted into Georgetown's volunteer program.

I am seriously thinking about becoming an EMT-P. The degree at my CC takes two years, but I already have half a year done due to my current A.S. and I could become certified and work as a paramedic for two years while finishing my bachelors before applying to medical school. Once in med school I plan on ceasing working.

I currently work 34-37 hours a week and still have no problem holding a high GPA, and would love to switch my current job to something meaningful (paramedic) and would love the additional medical experience, and the chance to actually talk to some physicians.

Do you guys think this is a good idea? It would add maybe a year or two to my undergrad studies. I'm 22 right now. I know no doctors, and have no clue how I would get one to let me shadow them.

I would love to start working in the medical field while on my way to becoming an MD. Thoughts?

 

[6svette]

Become an EMT-Basic before you do paramedic. Much quicker training. The experiences you will have will be way better than hospital vollunreering.

Most people who enter paramedic school have EMT-B experience under their belt.

 

[BK2681]

I did my EMT two summers ago. I think it was worth it because I have got many great opportunities with it. Most people who are planning on going to med school stick with the EMT and don't get the paramedic. On top of the paramedic class, you will have clinical rotations which in some states, are pretty demanding, you'll have to devote time to studying for the NREMT-P, which is also demanding. If you plan on going to med school when you're done with you're degree, I wouldn't recommend paramedic. If you want to get your feet wet in EMS for awhile, go get your EMT (formally known as the EMT-B).

Start looking around in your hometown for agencies you'd like to work for and get more information. Without fire training, being hired on at a fire station is a long shot, but volunteer FDs are always looking for EMTs. The ambulance service in my hometown is not run by the FD and hires paramedics and EMTs. The EMTs are mainly there just to drive the rig, but if your new to EMS, lights and sirens are exciting.

Myself and many others with the metro ambulance company are premeds and we all only have our EMT. If you aren't planning on doing EMS for a career, I'd recommend just getting your EMT. Another thing to think about is that a lot of non-FD ambulance companies have their own in house training program you have to complete before working for them. With ours, it's a 4 week class, M-F 8-5, even though I am already a state licensed EMT. Paramedic in house programs are even longer.

 

[MilMD01]

EMT sounds like cool training. If I don't get accepted during this application cycle, I'm going to take the course!

 

[Geebeejay]

EMT-P requires a lot of training, and probably unnecessary to do BEFORE medical school. EMT-B is pretty good, but means nothing unless you work in the field. Probably won't help you meet doctors unless you work as a PCA or equivalent, but still a good idea. There are probably many classes near you, and the tests shouldn't be a problem for a guy with college-level study skills. (I did it, and am very glad I did).

That being said, I knew a resident who was also an EMT-P. Besides being an excellent doctor, he also ran the EMT program and medical control for the city. Very cool, very interesting, and I think I'd like doing something similar, but I don't know how he went about getting his EMT-P (he was still pretty young). I wonder if some of his residency or medical school time counted toward his Medic training hours? Not sure, but worth looking into (wish I still worked with him so I could ask him myself).

 

[TheMightySmiter]

EMT-P is not a good idea if you already know you want to go to med school. Having practiced as both an EMT-B and a CNA, I always recommend CNA as a far better clinical experience. It takes the same amount of time as an EMT and you'll end up seeing a lot more patients and getting a much better idea of the inner workings of the health care system.

 

[lolcat]

I was researching into this as well and I read somewhere that EMT isn't worth it unless you're able to do it for at least two years. Otherwise, I heard that the cost would largely outweigh the experience you gain.

 

[alpinism]

OP if you want to go to med school you don't need a medic program, EMT-B is enough. Being a medic is meant to be full-time career, not a part-time job or stepping stone to another medical field.

Besides, most adcoms dont really know or care about the differences between EMT-B/I/P, and you won't get that much of an EC boost for the work you'll have to put in to get EMT-P certified anyway. It would be far better to do the EMT-B then use it and get an extra yr of experience instead of sitting in EMT-P class for another yr.

On the bright side, you're lucky to be in the DC/MD area b/c there are tons of opportunities to get involved w/ the many volunteer Fire/EMS depts in the area (the cities surrounding DC are almost all served by volunteer firefighters/EMTs). If you really want to try it out, take the EMT-B course and sign on w/ a local volly FD. Kentland and West Lanham Hills are some of the busiest Fire/EMS depts in the WORLD. They run tons of trauma calls (MVAs, GSWs, burns, stabbings, domestic abuse, etc...) every week in addition to the regular BS calls that make up >90% of EMS (just warning you) ie non-cardiac chest pain, heartburn/indigestion, COPD, hyper/hypoglycemia, headaches, flu/cold, cough, fever, my baby dosen't look right, I can't sleep, I need a free ride to the hospital Mr. EMT taxi driver k thanx!

EMT = Empty Minded Taxidriver (or Every Menial Task)

Or, if you really want to get some in-hospital medical exp. and meet docs, try becoming a CNA or ER tech like others have suggested.

 

[lolcat]

ER tech is also a great idea to see the second level of transfer of care and would have a lot more patient interaction.

Just a quick question, don't mean to threadjack but it might be related, how does one become an ER teach or get an EMT-B? I've read on what each of them do but never really looked into the training it takes to become one. I'm going to be taking a year off so I'm thinking about doing one of those just to gain some experience

 

[DavetheMD]

See how the hiring is in your area first. It's not really worth it until you get to the advanced or intermediate certification. An advanced can start IV's, administer medications, calculate dosages, and even sometimes intubate.

 

[SBuck53]

ER tech is also a great idea to see the second level of transfer of care and would have a lot more patient interaction.

Just a quick question, don't mean to threadjack but it might be related, how does one become an ER teach or get an EMT-B? I've read on what each of them do but never really looked into the training it takes to become one. I'm going to be taking a year off so I'm thinking about doing one of those just to gain some experience

I am currently an ER Tech (actually an hour into a shift, things are a bit slow). It has been an awesome experience, tons of hands on patient contact, experience working with doctors and nurses.

Definitely recommend an EMT-B over EMT-P, The medic training is probably more than you need for meaningful experience for med school.

 

[dcsurgeon]

OP if you want to go to med school you don't need a medic program, EMT-B is enough. Being a medic is meant to be full-time career, not a part-time job or stepping stone to another medical field.

Besides, most adcoms dont really know or care about the differences between EMT-B/I/P, and you won't get that much of an EC boost for the work you'll have to put in to get EMT-P certified anyway. It would be far better to do the EMT-B then use it and get an extra yr of experience instead of sitting in EMT-P class for another yr.

On the bright side, you're lucky to be in the DC/MD area b/c there are tons of opportunities to get involved w/ the many volunteer Fire/EMS depts in the area (the cities surrounding DC are almost all served by volunteer firefighters/EMTs). If you really want to try it out, take the EMT-B course and sign on w/ a local volly FD. Kentland and West Lanham Hills are some of the busiest Fire/EMS depts in the WORLD. They run tons of trauma calls (MVAs, GSWs, burns, stabbings, domestic abuse, etc...) every week in addition to the regular BS calls that make up >90% of EMS (just warning you) ie non-cardiac chest pain, heartburn/indigestion, COPD, hyper/hypoglycemia, headaches, flu/cold, cough, fever, my baby dosen't look right, I can't sleep, I need a free ride to the hospital Mr. EMT taxi driver k thanx!

EMT = Empty Minded Taxidriver (or Every Menial Task)

Or, if you really want to get some in-hospital medical exp. and meet docs, try becoming a CNA or ER tech like others have suggested.

This is GREAT info, thanks so much! Both Kentland and West Lanham Hills are about 20 minutes away from my house.

I think I'll go ahead and get the EMT-B certificate for sure (just looked at the requirements, super easy and quick).

Maybe volunteer as an EMT and continue volunteering at the hospital as well (and of course, the research with Smithsonian)? Some people (not on this forum) are still suggesting going for EMT-P.

What about EMT-I? I am going to have some free time while finishing up some classes before I can transfer to a university and need to stay at full time status in school. EMT-I wouldn't put me a year behind like EMT-P, so would it possibly be worth it?

I'm pretty uneducated on the differences between them.

Also, any suggestions on how to get a doctor to let me shadow them? Should I just walk up to an attending at Georgetown and be like, "Hey, let me follow you and stare at what you do all day please?"

 

[alpinism]

ER tech is also a great idea to see the second level of transfer of care and would have a lot more patient interaction.

Just a quick question, don't mean to threadjack but it might be related, how does one become an ER teach or get an EMT-B? I've read on what each of them do but never really looked into the training it takes to become one. I'm going to be taking a year off so I'm thinking about doing one of those just to gain some experience

No prob.

ER Techs are usually either EMT-Basics that work in the ED instead of riding on an ambulance or CNAs that only work in the ED (both basically do the same job). Although some hospitals don't use EMTs or CNAs and have their own training program (check w/ your local hospitals to be sure).

I'm not that familiar w/ CNA training, but for EMT-B its usually either an 8wk or 4 month course you take at a CC or local technical college. Class times are variable and can either be in the evenings 3-4x a week or all day on the weekends. Some Universities also offer it as a 6-12 credit course that can be taken in 1 semester.

Here's the EMT course at UCLA as an example:
https://www.cpc.mednet.ucla.edu/course/emt/details

 

[dcsurgeon]

Also wanted to add that another reason I was considering EMT-P is because I currently work 34-37 hours a week (bills to pay and stuff) and I'd much rather spend that time working in a medical field than doing what I do now: delivering sandwiches.

Is there a chance of getting hired as an EMT-I? Is getting hired a difficult process? I know the EMTs in DC are run by the FDs, but what about outside in MD and VA?

I make about $400-$500 a week in my current job. That's all I need, but I'd love to be doing something more important and meaningful than delivering food, especially if it will benefit my medical career in the long run.

 

[alpinism]

If you really enjoy it, you can always upgrade to EMT-I after 6mo to a year (some states are starting to call it AEMT now, but its the same thing) Its another ~8wk/4mo course where you get more in depth clinical instruction and learn to give IVs/IOs and a few meds.

Yep, don't be afraid to walk into a clinical dept's office and ask the secretary or nurse at the desk if you could shadow a physician in their dept. Let them know you're a premed student and that you currently volunteer in the hosp and have already completed the HIPPA training etc... You'll prob get the cold shoulder from some places but be persistent and you should eventually find something.

If that doesn't work, stop by either here:
http://premed.georgetown.edu/ (see the contact info at the bottom of the page)
or here:
http://smp.georgetown.edu/faculty/ (Dr. Mulroney is VERY nice and helped me alot when I was an MS student at GTown)

Both should know of docs at the hosp available and willing to have students shadow them.

Unfortunately, most depts in that area are either full-time career Fire/EMS (like DC) or volunteer. There are some paid part-time positions but these are mostly w/ private ambulance companies doing inter-facility transport (non-emergencies). They take both EMT-B/I and the pay is similar.

 

[Mornhavon]

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