Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) refers to individuals who have completed EMT training on a variety of levels. EMTs are required to have good emotionally stability, agility, and physical coordination in order to deal with the large amounts of complications that can arise in emergency situations. Working as an emergency medical technician can be dangerous and stressful and can involve life or death situations. An EMT may work in a variety of settings including hospitals, fire departments, local governments, and private ambulance services.

Emergency Medical Technician Training Requirements To Obtain An EMT Certification

All EMT training courses must meet the standards required by the US Department of Transportation for curriculum. EMT training typically emphasizes emergency skills including managing trauma, respiratory or cardiac emergency. Students learn how to use common emergency equipment such as stretchers, oxygen delivery systems, suction devices, and more.

EMTs may take differing levels of training programs to increase their knowledge and ability to perform life saving medical procedures. The first level of EMT is typically EMT-B (Basic) and the most advanced is EMT-P (Paramedic). Training courses take several months to complete, and are offer at technical schools, community colleges, and hospitals. Coursework emphasizes emergency skills and trains students to deal with bleeding, fracture, and other emergency medical situations. Emergency medical technicians are also required to receive certification in all 50 states.

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EMT Degree and Certification Programs

Certification for EMTs is required in all fifty states, though requirements vary by location. All EMTs are required, upon successful completion of an EMT training program, to pass the written and oral examination administered by the NREMT. Some states administer their own examination for certification. EMTs are required to register with the NREMT in order to receive certification. EMTs must re-register every two years, and in some cases, fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain certification.

There are four levels of training that an EMT may complete starting with EMT-B (Basic), EMT-I/85 or EMT-I99 (Intermediate), or EMT-P (Paramedic). These are the four levels recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), though some states may recognize other levels of certification. Search HealthCare-TrainingCenter.com for available courses online or in your area.

EMT Prerequisites

Though prerequisites for EMT training programs throughout the United States will vary, most require a high school diploma. EMTs are required to have knowledge in chemistry, mathematics, psychology, medicine, and dentistry, as well as customer service and public safety. Various schools and colleges offer flexible course schedules that range from day, night and weekend classes and training sessions.

Emergency Medical Technician Continuing Education

Depending on state regulations, Emergency Medical Technicians must renew certification periodically and may be required to take continued education (CE) courses. Search HealthCare-TrainingCenter.com to find continued education courses for EMTs