Requirements for Being a Basic EMT in Tennessee

Median hourly wages for U.S. EMTs and paramedics were $14.10 in May 2008.

Emergency medical technicians work with police and firefighters during crisis situations. EMTs handle immediate medical needs, providing patients with care on the scene and during transportation to a facility. All states have regulations regarding becoming an EMT, but they vary considerably. Tennessee has two levels of EMTs, First Responder and EMT IV, also called Basic EMT. Basic EMTs can then go on to further training as paramedics.

Basic Requirements

Individuals interested in becoming EMT IVs in Tennessee must meet certain basic requirements. They must be at least 18 years old and be able to read, write and speak in English. They must also hold the minimum of a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).

Training

Basic EMTs must take and pass an Emergency Medical Technician IV course approved by the Tennessee Emergency Medical Services board. These are often offered at vocational schools and community colleges, which may have their own additional admission requirements. Basic EMT training programs are split into classroom and clinical sections and include instruction in emergency medical technology, anatomy and physiology and pharmacology. EMT Basic training can be completed in one semester.

Examination

EMT programs in Tennessee have their own comprehensive exams that must be passed before students successfully graduate. They must also pass the EMT Basic certification exam given by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. The NREMT exam consists of two parts, cognitive and psychomotor. The cognitive section is administered by computer and includes questions on trauma, cardiology, EMS operations, ventilation and oxygenation for both pediatric and adult patients. The psychomotor section is a hands-on practical section, during which students must demonstrate the proper procedures for a range of emergency medical skills. Both sections must be passed before a person can be certified and work as an EMT Basic in Tennessee.

Medical Examination

The Tennessee Department of Health requires that all EMT Basics submit the results of a physical evaluation by a physician. The physician must find that the candidate has the health to conduct EMT activities and is free from communicable diseases. EMT Basics must also have no history during the past three years of any drug or alcohol problems that would affect their ability to practice.

Criminal Background Check

EMT Basics in Tennessee need to supply a criminal history background check from a vendor approved by the state. Applicants living in the state must use COGENT Systems, while applicants living outside of Tennessee must either submit a fingerprint card to the state Bureau of Investigation or travel to Tennessee to have an electronic fingerprint scan perform by COGENT. Some EMT Basic training programs require that the background check be performed before a student is admitted.

References

• Tennessee Department of Health: Emergency Medical Services License Information
• Volunteer State Community College: Emergency Medical Technician Programs
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: EMT-Basic
• Tennessee Department of Health: Criminal Background Check Instructions for Health Related Boards Applicants

Resources

• U.S. Department of Labor: Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics