EMT Training Requirements in New York
New York state has nearly 37,000 licensed Emergency Medical Technicians, or EMTs, according to the state's Office of Labor Statistics. EMT-B, or EMT basics, are responsible for administering emergency medical care to victims of medical emergencies ranging from cuts to heart attacks, to car crashes and more. Using a variety of equipment and skills, EMTs work to save lives and get patients to hospitals.
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Facts
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Becoming an EMT in New York state takes time and dedication. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to be licensed as an EMT. They must also pass a qualified course in CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, before the EMT class begins. A candidate must be able to communicate verbally and be able to balance up to 125 pounds, or 250 pounds with assistance, according to Emergency Care Programs, a company that trains EMTs. A candidate must then complete a training program of 136 hours of classroom time, which includes 10 hours of clinical observation. The class prepares students to take the EMT-B test, which then qualifies them to work under the guidelines set out by the U.S. Department of Transportations EMT-B program.
Time Frame
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Each of the EMT-B classes offered in New York state covers the 136 hours, but how those are delivered varies by the organization presenting the class. Some organizations set up classes that run two nights a week, spread out over nearly five months; others offer more accelerated daytime programs where the class is done over five weeks. The choice is up to participants and their time schedules.
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Misconceptions
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EMT instructors are fairly clear along the way to note that the initial EMT-B training simply prepares candidates to start their career. They also stress that the educational aspect continues once they get into the field and start dealing with patients. In New York, the initial certification is for three years, according to the New York State Department of Health, which oversees EMS. To recertify, EMTs must complete a refresher course of at least 65 hours, usually spread out over a couple of months. They also must pass a practical skills and a written test.
Considerations
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EMTs come into contact with people in their worst time, either sick or involved in a car crash. Emotionally, there are ups and downs in dealing with such situations and an EMT needs to be able to deal with a variety of scenarios. In addition to the emotional aspects, the job does require significant physical activity in terms of moving patients, carrying equipment and delivering those people to the hospital.
Potential
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The job outlook for EMTs, like many areas of health care, is growing. One potential downside is additional training that may be required in the future to deal with sophisticated terrorist activities, additional medical protocols and increased professional efforts. That said, the job outlook will grow as volunteer EMS organizations continue to become paid operations as the volunteer pool dwindles, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Mark Holloway
