EMT Classes

EMT Programs

EMT programs are designed to train students in emergency pre-hospital medical care. This is to provide medical care to those who are involved in accidents, crime incidents or other traumas. They typically work in fire departments, EMS service or in hospitals.

Basic Requirements

In order to enroll in an EMT program, students must fulfill certain criterion. Some of the requirements are mentioned below,

1. The candidate must be at least 18 years old.
2.  The candidate must have a high school diploma or GED.
3. The candidate must have a valid driving license.
4. The candidate must have a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification from the relevant state authorities.
5. The candidate must have no criminal record.
6. The candidate must be mentally sound and physically fit.
7. The candidate must have proof of several relevant vaccinations.

Learning Outcomes

EMT classes aim to

1. Teach the basics of the duties of an emergency medical technician and the role they play in the healthcare system
2. Educate the candidate regarding the scope and scale of practice of an emergency medical technician
3. Enable students to correctly understand and use medical terminologies
4. Familiarize them with emergency medical SOPs
5. Inform them about the relevant regulatory and compliance requirements
6. Provide practical training
7. Enable them to work professionally under stressful situations

Types of EMT Programs

Typically, three types of EMT training programs are offered:

1.Basic

These training programs provide basic knowledge about trauma treatment, airway management, hemorrhage control, basic pharmacological action, respiratory emergencies, patient transport, CPR, patient assessment, medical, behavioral, and environmental illness treatment. Full-time students can complete the program in three to six weeks, while part time students can take eight to eleven weeks to complete the program.

2.Intermediate

The training program is a combination of class room instruction and practical training. Students learn techniques with the help of specially designed mannequins. The program is broken down into classroom learning, ambulance field internship and Emergency Department Clinicals. It takes on average three to six months to complete.

3.Paramedic

This program offers advanced training in the administration of intravenous fluids, and the application of advanced airway techniques, the use of manual defibrillators to administer lifesaving shocks and assist patients with respiratory emergencies. Moreover, paramedics provide extensive pre-hospital care for injuries at the site of accident, crime scene or life-threatening situations. Paramedics are also trained to perform endotracheal intubations, administer drugs orally as well as intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (ECGs), and operate monitors and other medical equipment. This program takes about one to two years to complete.

Areas of Concentration

Topics covered in EMT programs include, but are not limited to:

·         Medical, legal, and ethical issues in EMS

·         Anatomy and physiology

·         Cardiac emergencies

·         Environmental emergencies

·         Neurological emergencies

·         OB/GYN emergencies

·         Pharmacology for the EMT-Basic

·         Medical emergencies

·         Respiratory emergencies

·         Traumatic emergencies

·         Ambulance operations

·         Pediatric and geriatric emergencies

·         Endocrine emergencies

EMT classes are typically offered as hybrid courses, although some institutes also offer them solely online. The online hybrid EMT course typically consists of interactive lecture modules, weekly hour-long on-line class sessions, electronic textbooks and workbooks, computer assignments, and skills and testing sessions. Online hybrid courses enable you to have a flexible schedule, offer the comfort of learning from home, and accessibility to faculty during on-line office hours. Candidates who are technologically savvy and self-motivated can look into these courses.

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) provides certification to EMS professionals at national level. Obtaining an NREMT certification proves that the holder has satisfied entry-level competency requirements, but necessarily does not permit a person to work in the field. All EMTs and paramedics have to be licensed by the state, before they can start working. However, the licensure requirements and procedures vary across states, but typically the NREMT certification is enough to qualify for licensure. Applicants are encouraged to check with their state’s authorizing agency or licensing organization for state-specific requirements. The basic steps that can be followed in order to acquire certification are:

1.       Completing all state requirements.

2.       Obtaining CPR certification.

3.       Getting practical training by working as part of a rescue team.

4.       Enrolling in suitable training classes.

5.       Taking the certification examinations after successfully completing training as an EMT.