Worth it considering my situation to take EMT-B class during gap year? [POLL]

[flatearth22]

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I graduated from a UC last month and I'm applying during my gap year to enter Fall '12. Currently working as a lab tech for the summer and fall (~20-30 hrs a week, flexible schedule) but I plan on doing something else in the spring as this job is very boring. My clinical experience is decent but not great. Should I take an EMT class this fall at a local CC and spend my spring and whatever summer I have before med school starts (if I get in) working as an EMT? I am genuinely interested in becoming an EMT and I wanted to pursue it in UG but was overwhelmed with school and other EC's....the only drawback is I would only be able to use it from January - start of med school.

 

[senorsquishie]

I graduated from a UC last month and I'm applying during my gap year to enter Fall '12. Currently working as a lab tech for the summer and fall (~20-30 hrs a week, flexible schedule) but I plan on doing something else in the spring as this job is very boring. My clinical experience is decent but not great. Should I take an EMT class this fall at a local CC and spend my spring and whatever summer I have before med school starts (if I get in) working as an EMT? I am genuinely interested in becoming an EMT and I wanted to pursue it in UG but was overwhelmed with school and other EC's....the only drawback is I would only be able to use it from January - start of med school.

All in al it will cost you ~$2000 dollars with books, course, and test fees. That being said, jobs are hard to find, and most of the good stuff usually requires having your cert for a year first (Like er tech jobs in my area)

 

[Soulstice]

If you're not planning on using the cert for more then 6-8 months then don't bother.. it's a significant time investment to get your EMT-B so find faster ways to get clinical experience for that short of a term.

 

[pez319]

In LA it's gonna cost you like $1000. ~$500 for the classes. ~$150 for books. $70 for NREMT test. ~$120 for license. $~120 for two live scans. I think there's a small fee for ambulance drivers DMV test too. Oh and a physical from a Dr.

 

[senorsquishie]

In LA it's gonna cost you like $1000. ~$500 for the classes. ~$150 for books. $70 for NREMT test. ~$120 for license. $~120 for two live scans. I think there's a small fee for ambulance drivers DMV test too. Oh and a physical from a Dr.

That is a lot cheaper then mine
1,200 for the course
250 for the books
150 for a lab fee
150 for the practical exam
50 for the writen exam
50 for the CPR class

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Nah don't do it. EMT without much experience isn't really worthwhile IMO plus your wasting more money that you can use to apply to more schools if you want to.

 

[235788]

Work as a lab tech, do americorps, or find a part time job/volunteer. Don't do something bogus like get EMT certified so you can work 2 months before you matriculate for 8.50 an hour.

 

[blp11]

Wow my class definitely did not cost that much. It was about $270 for the class, maybe $50 for the book, and there were no exam or licensing fees. For that price it's worth it in my opinion, if that's something that interests you and you don't have any great deficiencies in your application (clinical experience, volunteering, shadowing) that you need to use this time to work on.

 

[Disinence2]

I took an EMT class and never practiced as an EMT.

No one cared. At all... period.

If your not going to get meaningful work experience out of it then I wouldn't do it.


All of the medial knowledge learned in my EMT class was compacted into maybe 12 hours.

 

[BMEJake]

My class and test together only cost me about $700. Sounds like it varies greatly depending on area. My class had books included and we just had to pay $70 to the state (CT) to actually take the test. Also EMT's in my state start at around $16/hr. I'm curious if the figure of 8.50/hr suggested earlier is actually a researched figure or a stab in the dark.

I do agree that it's not worth doing if you're not going to significantly use the certification though. I've had my EMT for over four years now and have actively used it as a volunteer and ED/OR tech just about that entire time. I'm still applying for the first time (so take this with a BIG grain of salt) but I'd imagine having EMT on your resume is pretty unimpressive unless you've done something with it.
Going into college I though the EMT thing would make me stand out but in the past few years I've seen an astounding number of my friends get their certifications. However, most of them have done jack squat with it. It's all about the experiences you get after the certification and it sounds like you want them for their own sake and not just to impress schools with is awesome 👍 .
Bottom line, if you think its something you'd enjoy then go for it! I have a friend that is continuing to volunteer as an EMT while in med school and I plan to do the same with my fire and ems certifications. You're not limited to a few months by any means... there's a doctor in my fire dept with his EMT that he keeps fresh and still volunteers with so its definitely something you can use to give back to the community with for the rest of your life if you want.

 

[senorsquishie]

I think the main reason mine was so high is because I live and am certified in Mass. It is one of the few states that does their own cert. processes instead of being a part of the NREMT. Sucks, beause it is just a piece of plasitic once I am in a different state. Recert costs are a beast! $150 a years plus the cost of con eds. Glad I found Mediced for that though 🙂

 

[willen101383]

No way. I dont really understand why people do this unless theyre planning on actually working.

I was not an EMT and was never asked once about my lack of EMT status. I didnt even do more than like 20 hours of volunteering total haha. Good stuff.

 

[kexy]

I took an EMT class with a friend. Neither of us could ever find (paid) work in the LA area. I don't really think there are TONS of opportunities. Plus, keeping up with the cert is a pain in the butt and not really worth it IMO. Maybe look into being a CNA or a phlebotomist?