EMT Training Levels

There are three levels of EMT training.

There are three levels of emergency medical technician (EMT) training: EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate and EMT-paramedic. Although each level requires more intensive training and students learn more advanced medical technician skills, all levels provide on-the-scene and transport care for patients with medical needs. Depending on the time you want to invest in training and your career goals, EMT training levels include the initial two courses needed to be an EMT-basic or as long as a five-semester EMT-paramedic level training program.

EMT-Basic Training Level

At the EMT-basic level, students learn how to medically assess the patient.

For EMT-basic certification, courses are intended to train students in basic emergency services technician skills. Most programs only include two courses, a basic skills and a basic lab course. The basic skills course teaches the student how to initially assess a patient's condition and provide basic care such as airway management and management of fractures. The basic lab course allows the student to practice these skills. At this level, providers do not administer anything intravenously.

EMT-Intermediate Training Level

At the EMT-intermediate training level, students learn advanced skills such as how to insert an IV.

At the EMT-intermediate level, the emergency medical technician can perform more invasive procedures than an EMT-basic certified provider can perform. For example, in most states an EMT-intermediate provider can insert an IV into a patient. Many schools require EMT-intermediate students to first be certified as an EMT-basic. This is because the EMT-intermediate training builds off the basic training the students will have previously learned. At the EMT-intermediate level, those certified are also able to administer some drugs to patients. Most states recognize the EMT-intermediate level, although some only recognize the EMT-basic and EMT-paramedic training level.

EMT-Paramedic Training Level

At the EMT-paramedic level, students are training for the highest level of certification in the emergency medical technician field.

The highest level an EMT can achieve is known as an EMT-paramedic. Most schools offer this training in a three- to five-semester program. To even begin training at the EMT-paramedic level, students must already be certified at the EMT-basic or intermediate level. At the EMT-paramedic level, training focuses on advanced science courses such as pharmacology, which teaches the paramedic how different drugs interact with each other, along with courses in cardiology and anatomy. At this level, training also includes an internship, where students work in a hospital or ambulance setting to gain real-world experience.

Additional Training

All EMT levels must complete additional training to keep a current license.

At every EMT training level, a student must complete additional courses throughout his career to keep a current license. According to the United States Department of Labor Statistics, most states require that an EMT renews his license every two to three years. During this time, the EMT must complete the state's required continuing education training hours. For example, in California, an EMT-paramedic must complete 48 hours of additional training every two years. An EMT can choose from a variety of classes, but the class must be approved by the state and taken from a state-approved facility.

Considerations

If possible, take your training in the state in which you will work.

If possible, the state in which you train should be the state in which you will work as an EMT. This is because states have slightly varying regulations for EMT training at all three levels. Some states require all levels to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam, also known as the NREMT, while other states require that the student passes the state exam. States can also have varying requirements for the number of internship hours that must be completed for EMT-paramedic levels.

References

• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
• Blue Ridge Community and Technical College: EMT Basic Training
• University of South Alabama: EMT-Paramedic Training

Resources

• United States Department of Labor and Statistics: Emergency Medical Technicians