emt course what to expect

by Cade Metz 9 min read

EMT Training: What to Expect From Start to Finish

  • EMT Training. Becoming an EMT or Paramedic is not as easy as filling out an application and walking onto a job. EMS is a...
  • CPR Certification. Any edge you can give yourself when applying for a job as an EMT will help your chances. CPR...
  • A Rewarding Career. Working as an EMT is an extremely rewarding career. EMTs have...

You will learn a lot in EMT class, including medical terminology, how to assess patients, and many different hands-on, life-saving skills. You'll learn in multiple locations: in the classroom, in the ambulance, and in the field.

Full Answer

What schools offer EMT programs?

While each school’s requirements may differ, basic paramedic requirements include:

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, with focus on Science and English courses
  • Basic CPR and First-Aid certificates (or equivalents)
  • A valid driver’s license, often class ‘F’
  • The ability to meet minimum physical fitness standards

How to succeed and become a certified EMT?

  • Important Facts About a Career as an EMT
  • Education and Essential Skills. There are three levels of EMT certification: basic, intermediate, and paramedic. ...
  • Certification. ...
  • Levels of Certification. ...
  • Outlook and Salary. ...

How long does it take to become an EMT?

  • You must be 18 years or older
  • You need a fully valid driver’s license
  • You must have completed regular education to a minimum of 10 th grade (sometimes requires high school completion)
  • You must have a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification from your state’s healthcare provider

More items...

Should I become an EMT?

Pre-Med: Should I Become an EMT?

  • Do your research. Before you choose to train as an EMT, do some research on whether you’ll be able to find work after you finish your training program.
  • Choose your timing carefully. You can find EMT-B, or EMT-Basic, courses on your campus through a continuing education division, at a community college, or technical school.
  • Start your training. ...

Is learning to be an EMT hard?

EMT school is meant to be challenging. It's not as easy as you might think to pass and get certified. However, it is very doable for most people, if you put in the time and effort. Here's what you need to know about the difficulty of EMT school and the whole process of becoming an EMT.

What do EMT basics learn?

You'll learn basic anatomy and physiology relevant to serving as an emergency medical technician, with an emphasis on the nervous system, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. You'll roll up your sleeves and learn how to care for the sick and injured, including dealing with communicable diseases and trauma.

What are the expectations of an EMT?

EMTs and paramedics typically do the following: Respond to 911 calls for emergency medical assistance, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or bandaging a wound. Assess a patient's condition and determine a course of treatment. Provide first-aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured patients.

How should I prepare for EMT?

2:017:16How To Prepare for EMT/EMS | EMS Education - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is one of the biggest cornerstones that is inside of emt class you can actually go to the nremtMoreThis is one of the biggest cornerstones that is inside of emt class you can actually go to the nremt.

How long is EMT school?

one to three yearsBecoming an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic typically takes one to three years, depending on your career goals and educational path. EMT training focuses on life support techniques for first-response situations, including CPR, tourniquet application, and wound treatment.

Can an EMT basic intubate?

EMT basics are not allowed to use advanced airways or intubate patients. These tools are reserved for more advanced EMTs and Paramedics (in most areas).

What does an EMT schedule look like?

It consists of a nine-day cycle where each team works one 24-hour shift, followed by 24 hours off duty, then another 24-hour shift. They then receive another day off duty before working their final shift, followed by four consecutive days off duty.

What does an EMT do on a daily basis?

An EMT's job is to provide First Aid or in other words, Basic Life Support (BLS) to patients in emergency situations such as car/motorbike accidents, fire accidents, shooting/stabbing etc. Emergency Medical Technicians usually work in shifts and could be up to 48 hours a week with a couple of days for resting.

How much does a EMT make?

How much does an EMT Basic make in an hour? According to Salary.com, the average annual salaries of EMTs are between $32,860 and $40,760 nationwide. Therefore, they can earn an average of $16 to $20 per hour.

How can I pass my EMT exam?

HOW TO STUDY FOR THE EMT EXAM?Keep Your Textbooks And Workbooks – Highlight definitions and any specifics that stand out, then read back over the highlighted portions until you feel confident enough in the concepts that you could teach someone else.Take the Practice Tests – Many EMT courses provide practice exams.More items...

How do you pass the EMT practical exam?

Here are our top 5:Practice, practice, practice. And help others practice. ... Keep your head about you. There are times you may get flustered. ... Don't lose easy points like standard precautions. Remember the basics in all the sections in each station. ... Talk to the patient like they are the patient. ... Avoid critical failures.

How many questions are on the NREMT exam?

Test-takers are asked anywhere from 70 to 120 questions. To pass the exam, you must meet the NREMT standard level of competency, which is defined as “the ability to provide safe and effective entry level emergency medical care,” according to the NREMT website.

What do you learn in EMT class?

You will learn a lot in EMT class, including medical terminology, how to assess patients, and many different hands-on, life-saving skills. You’ll learn in multiple locations: in the classroom, in the ambulance, and in the field.

What is the first day of EMT class?

First Day of EMT Class. The first day of EMT class is much like any other first day of school. You’ll get your picture taken, meet your instructor, get your textbook and class syllabus, and learn a bit about the company and its policies. Then it’s time to dive in and start learning about how to become an EMT!

Emergency Medical Technicians evaluation

The Emergency Medical Technicians you are riding with will be evaluating you. And they will be reporting these evaluations back to your EMT instructors. If you want a great evaluation, ask what your crew expects, and do that. Simply ask them at the beginning of your shift. They will be happy to tell you, and you will be happy you asked.

About Unitek Education

Unitek Education is the premier EMT training provider in the United States. Our mission is simple: training the next wave of EMT professionals. We offer a variety of training options to fit your needs.

How long does it take to become an EMT?

Certification requires at least 154 hours of classroom and practical education. Many colleges will offer one-month, three-month, or semester-long courses that allow you to become trained and certified. 2. Intermediate/Enhanced EMT (also called EMT-I).

Why do I need to be an EMT?

For those reasons, I highly recommend EMT training for any students who think they might be interested in medicine, because it is an excellent distillation of the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to become a doctor.

What do EMTs do in the field?

Depending on level of training, EMTs may intubate patients in the field, acquire and read an EKG, and treat patients with myriad medications while en route to the hospital. Kyle: In rural areas, EMTs are a crucial link between the hospital and a widely distributed population.

What is an EMT P?

It requires basic EMT training and some experience in the field. 3. Paramedic (also called EMT-P). This is the most advanced pre-hospital provider. EMT-Ps have a broad health care knowledge and an advanced life-saving skill set.

Why do medical schools require EMT training?

Kyle: More and more medical schools are requiring EMT training, often provided to students in the summer prior to matriculation, because it is an excellent way to introduce students to the basics of health care.

How many years of medical school do you need to become an EMT?

The mix of high-stress, highacuity work with routine, low-stress work is very common in health care, and EMT training allows you to experience both extremes (and the middle ground, of course) before committing to eight or more years of medical training.

What are the basic tenets of health care?

It also indoctrinates you to many of the basic tenets of health care: the language of medicine, rapid assessment and planning, physical examination techniques, note writing, patient confidentiality, maintaining composure under pressure, and so on.

How to Best Prepare for EMT School

It’s 3 a.m. and you’re breathing life back into a victim of a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest. Their existence is hanging by a thread, and you’re their lifeline. As an EMT, you’ll bring hope and comfort out of life’s worst moments. You’ll even learn how to crack jokes while transporting a patient in an ambulance.

How to Get into EMT School

Before you scour the internet for EMT training programs, you’ll need to have a few prerequisites under your belt. These can vary depending on your program and state, but basic EMT school requirements across the nation include:

Choosing the Right EMT School

Now back to the scouring. As you search for the right EMT school, it’s crucial to find a training program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

What to Expect in EMT School

Just ask any EMT in your circle. EMT school isn’t a breeze – there’s no doubt about it. If it was easy, anyone could do it. But the truth is, your training should be challenging. Everyday certified EMTs are putting their knowledge and skills to the test. So should you.

How Long is EMT School?

EMT school generally requires 120 to 150 hours of education, taking between six months to two years to complete. Most EMT students spend an extra two hours studying for every hour of lecture. In total, you can expect to take around 350 hours to complete EMT school.

image

First-Hand Third Ride Experiences

Emergency Medical Technicians Evaluation

  • The Emergency Medical Techniciansyou are riding with will be evaluating you as you assist one another. These evaluations will be reported back to your EMT instructors, so if you want a great evaluation, ask your crew what they expect, and do that. Matching their level of intensity is a good way to impress them. Simply ask them at the beginning of y...
See more on unitekemt.com

About Unitek EMT

  • Unitek EMT is the premier EMT training provider in the United States. Our mission is simple: providing the finest training available for the next wave of EMT professionals. We offer a variety of training options to fit your needs. Unitek EMT’s instructors are experienced leaders in their fields, and our ultra-real-world training scenarios are ideal for both new and seasoned students, with tr…
See more on unitekemt.com