New Jersey EMT Certification
In New Jersey, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are overseen by the state's Department of Health and Senior Services through the New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). The agency certifies and holds the certification of EMTs--basic (EMT-B) and EMTs--paramedics (EMT-P), and their service transport units, which includes ambulances, mobile intensive care units and air transporters.
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EMT-B Program
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An EMT-B must complete a 120-hour course. In New Jersey, EMT-Basic certification was signed into law as a five-year certification term. The certification had a previous three-year term duration. EMT Training is available at various sites throughout the state. Individuals earn their EMT-B after completing a 120-hour course designed by the United States Department of Transportation. The course is required for volunteer and paid EMT personnel.
Prerequisites and Training
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EMT personnel are taught to interact with patients and provide pre-hospital basic life support. The prerequisites to enter into the EMT-B course in New Jersey include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support training. CPR certification is obtained through agencies including the American Red Cross, National Safety Council or American Heart Association. Once entered into an EMT-B core course, students are trained by EMT-Basic Instructors, which might include physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants and paramedics. The course focuses on pre-hospital basic life support care, anatomy, physiology and medical terminology to prepare an EMT-B for the rigors of working with patients and medical professionals.
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EMT-D Training
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MICU employees teach EMT-D training. Once individuals are EMT-B certified in New Jersey, they are eligible for EMT-Defibrillation (EMT-D) training. Another requirement, however, is that the EMT-B must be associated with an EMT-D provider. In the EMT-B program, familiarity with the EMT-D program is taught. Mobile intensive care unit (MICU) hospital employees teach the supplemental EMT-D training.
Continuing Education Units
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A few CEU courses teach EMT-B students how to contend with hazardous materials. An EMT-B certified individual in New Jersey must complete ongoing elective continuing education units (CEU) to become recertified. To receive credits, EMT-B individuals must take live or online courses approved by the OEMS. Recertification requirements include a 24-credit course load in core and elective subjects. Classes include subjects such as defensive driving, vehicle extrication, hazmat (hazardous materials) training, CPR (health care provider level), sports, injuries, HIV/AIDS facts and practices and basic water rescue. The OEMS maintains a list of approved online CEU courses on its website. The state's website also lists pre-approved courses overseen by various organizations including the OEMS, New Jersey State Police, hospitals and trauma centers.
EMT Training Fund
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Fund distribution is limited in the EMTTF, after $4 million was removed to patch the state budget. An EMT Training Fund (EMTTF) exists in New Jersey to reimburse volunteer organizations and emergency personnel who provide EMT-B training to volunteer EMT-B certified individuals. EMT-B certification was extended from three to five years to help reduce training costs. An advisory council of 13 people serve on the board, without receiving compensation. The EMTTF was compromised in 2009, when $4 million of the fund was transferred to the state budget to accommodate a budget shortfall.
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