Worth getting EMT certificate before primary application?

[ChessEnthusiast100]

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I'm planning to take a 5 week EMT-B training certification program. I'm in my first gap year after graduating this summer and am taking 2 gap years. I'll be applying this May/June. With the EMT certification, I'm hoping to take the certification exam, get county approval (Alameda county-California), and start working as EMT (ER tech) as soon as possible. For those of you who have experience with this process in California, how long does it usually take to start working as an EMT? Given that I will be submitting my primary application in May, Is it worth getting an EMT certification and working as an EMT during the remainder of my first gap year and second gap year?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I'm planning to take a 5 week EMT-B training certification program. I'm in my first gap year after graduating this summer and am taking 2 gap years. I'll be applying this May/June. With the EMT certification, I'm hoping to take the certification exam, get county approval (Alameda county-California), and start working as EMT (ER tech) as soon as possible. For those of you who have experience with this process in California, how long does it usually take to start working as an EMT? Given that I will be submitting my primary application in May, Is it worth getting an EMT certification and working as an EMT during the remainder of my first gap year and second gap year?

I think getting your certification is worthwhile, but I wouldn't apply until I get a significant number of working hours (post certification). For a gap year, working full-time is about 2000 hours in a year, so perhaps breaking 1000 before applying would be a milestone to reach for. You could do okay with fewer hours (say, more than 500 hours if you aren't in school), but you should balance it with non-clinical community service activities like food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, housing rehabilitation, or legal support.

 

[premedbarista]

Definitely varies based on specific location, so YMMV but just as a bit of a warning - I went to undergrad in SoCal and nobody I know who also became an EMT as a premed actually got a job as an ER tech (myself included, applied everywhere multiple times). from what I understand, it's pretty unlikely bc they want you to have some prior experience and there are quite a few ppl applying for these jobs so it's very competitive.

PLSS look at what jobs are actually available around you BEFORE taking the class, I made that mistake and found out that all the 911 EMS in my reasonable commuting distance is run by the fire department so I wouldn't be able to do that. would have been stuck doing interfacility transport if i wasn't lucky w/ my current nursing assistant job.

I'm just giving this unsolicited advice bc I know many premeds at my school who thought EMT cert would get them life-changing, meaningful ER tech/911 jobs and ended up doing like concert/event EMS or pretty boring interfacility stuff they hated. Still counts as clinical hours, but it's important to know what you're getting into.

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

I'm planning to take a 5 week EMT-B training certification program. I'm in my first gap year after graduating this summer and am taking 2 gap years. I'll be applying this May/June. With the EMT certification, I'm hoping to take the certification exam, get county approval (Alameda county-California), and start working as EMT (ER tech) as soon as possible. For those of you who have experience with this process in California, how long does it usually take to start working as an EMT? Given that I will be submitting my primary application in May, Is it worth getting an EMT certification and working as an EMT during the remainder of my first gap year and second gap year?

You are graduating this summer and want to take 2 gap years, but you are applying this cycle? Applying this cycle would have you matriculate next fall - do you intend to ask for a deferment?

 

[Alienman52]

I'm planning to take a 5 week EMT-B training certification program. I'm in my first gap year after graduating this summer and am taking 2 gap years. I'll be applying this May/June. With the EMT certification, I'm hoping to take the certification exam, get county approval (Alameda county-California), and start working as EMT (ER tech) as soon as possible. For those of you who have experience with this process in California, how long does it usually take to start working as an EMT? Given that I will be submitting my primary application in May, Is it worth getting an EMT certification and working as an EMT during the remainder of my first gap year and second gap year?

Getting an emt cert cant hurt

 

[AJ25]

EMT is overrated, based on my experience. However, it does check a box.

Like I said before, there is high variability with skillset with people in EMS. You may have a great experience on a team or it might force you to want to run for the hills.