How to Become an Ambulance Technician

An ambulance technician (also known as an Emergency Medical Technician or EMT) is a rewarding career. Becoming an ambulance technician takes schooling and dedication, but it is within your grasp. Here you will find how to become an ambulance technician.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide what kind of ambulance technician you want to become. An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) takes a few months of schooling. A paramedic (EMT-P) can take more than a year of education. In fact, it can sometimes take up to two years.

    • 2

      Develop and strengthen your people skills. Make sure you are not afraid of blood or other bodily fluids.

    • 3

      Get informed on what it takes to perform the job you desire. Taking vital signs, giving oxygen, and performing a few other simple life-saving tasks is the job of an ambulance technician or EMT-B. A paramedic can perform invasive procedures, start IV's, give medications, and read heart rhythms.

    • 4

      Find an EMT class in your area. Whether you want to stick with being a basic ambulance technician, or move on to paramedic school, you will still have to start out as an EMT-B. Local hospitals, community colleges and fire departments are good places to find EMT classes.

    • 5

      Apply at the organization or company where you wish to work. After graduating from EMT class and passing your state's licensing exam, you are eligible to work on a private ambulance service, a hospital-based service, or even some fire department ambulances (depending on where you live). You may have to apply to be a firefighter in order to work on a fire department ambulance.

    • 6

      Make sure you keep your driving record clean. You also need to be sure to avoid a criminal record. Most ambulance companies and fire departments check your background.

Tips & Warnings

  • Remember there is a difference between a basic EMT and a paramedic. EMT's can only perform simple life-saving skills. Paramedics are highly-trained professionals with skills similar to emergency room nurses.

  • Getting a job as an ambulance technician with a bad driving record or a criminal record is nearly impossble.

  • Fear of blood, vomit, urine and feces is not a good trait for an ambulance technician, EMT or paramedic to have.

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Comments

  • Bethany Chandler Dec 04, 2010
    THANKS so its 'paramedic' that is the one with the really intence training notjust basic

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