EMT Basic Training

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics must be trained and certified within the state in which they work. National certifications allow EMTs to work in any state as long as the state-specific exam is also taken. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for EMTs are expected to grow steadily throughout the 21st century. There are three levels of EMT training: EMT basic training, intermediate and paramedic training. Each allows the professional to perform various levels of service. A high school diploma is required for entry into an EMT basic training program.

Coursework

Basic EMT training involves the primary skills needed for emergency treatment, from making patient assessments to delivering respiratory care and anatomy and emergency cardiac services. Completion of a basic EMT course usually requires hands-on field work that may include a ride-along with local emergency service providers or a number of hours in an emergency room setting. Students learn how to provide emergency childbirth services, how to stop bleeding and how to stabilize fractures. By the end of the course, they know how to use and maintain equipment typically found in an ambulance, such as backboards, splints and stretchers.

NREMT

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians gives an examination that measures the knowledge and abilities of EMTs at every level. The test for basic EMT certification is given once the required coursework is completed. Some states rely on the NREMT for its accreditation, while other states require a separate certificate in addition to the one provided by the NREMT. All training programs should prepare students to pass the national test.

College Training

Most community colleges with medical programs provide training for basic EMT certification. The course typically lasts about 12 to 16 weeks and is focused on the certificate. It does not typically transfer to degree programs. Technical schools, such as the Florida Career Institute, Medix School and EMS Training, Inc., provide on-campus training courses for EMTs.

Online Training

Look for schools that offer a curriculum that is approved by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NTHSA), the government agency charged with developing the EMT training programs and overseeing school accreditation. Students must complete patient assessment records before they achieve the goals of the programs set forth by the NTHSA. Look for online programs that are affiliated with local ambulance companies or government emergency service operations. Trainingdivision.com offers coursework online and sets up local sites for the hands-on training portions of the class. Find additional online training at sites such as EMT National Training, which offers classes aimed at helping students pass the national and state tests.

Continuing Education

EMTs at every level must apply for re-certification every two years by obtaining 24 hours of additional education. Courses are available online through sites such as EMS House, a division of Thomson Delmar Learning, and EMS CEU.

Resources

• Training Division
• EMS House
• EMS CEU