EMT Training

Schools by State
for EMT And Paramedics:

AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA SC SD TN TX UT VA WA WI WV WY

Career Highlights for
EMT And Paramedics

Training generally required for this career includes: Postsecondary vocational award.

Jobs and Salary
Median Salary (2008)	$29,330
Unemployment Vs. Other Jobs	Very Low
Jobs (2006)	201,000
Job Growth (2006-2016)	19.2%
Jobs (2016 forecast)	240,000

Flexibility
Working Part-Time	11%
Self-Employed	0%

Education of Current Workers
Bachelor Degree or Higher	14%
Some College	68%
High School or Less	18%

Relevant Job Titles

(Supplied by experts and industry contributors for this career category)

Ambulance Driver-Paramedic
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT - B)
Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate (EMT - I)
Emergency Medical Technician / Driver (EMT/DRIVER)
Emergency Medical Technician / Firefighter (EMT / Firefighter)
Emergency Room Technician
Emergency Vehicle Operator
EMT/Dispatcher (Emergency Medical Technician/Dispatcher)
EMT/Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic)
Fire Fighter / First Responder
Fire Fighter / Paramedic
Fire Fighter First Responder
Firefighter/EMT (Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician)
Firefighter/Paramedic
First Responder
Flight Paramedic
Multi Care Technician (Multi Care Tech)
Paramedic
Paramedic Supervisor
Rescue Worker

Information Sources

BrainTrack's information on colleges and careers is drawn from many sources, including government databases, BrainTrack's own research, and results from original data analysis algorithms.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic Job Description

Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.

In medical emergencies, people of all ages, races, genders, regions and faiths may rely on paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to respond quickly and competently. From car accidents to gun shots, childbirth to accidental poisonings, heart attacks to broken limbs, EMTs and paramedics must be prepared for and skilled in providing immediate care until patients can be transported to a hospital if necessary.

Paramedics and EMTs can have different degrees of responsibility based on their level of certification. For all levels, responsibilities usually include:

Working as part of an emergency team under the direction of physicians
Responding to a scene after being dispatched by a 911 operator
Being present at an event in case of emergency
Assessing patients' status and medical history
Following pre-determined protocols to provide immediate care
Treating minor injuries or conditions at the scene
Administering drugs by IV or orally
Interpreting electrocardiograms (EKGs) and performing endotracheal intubations
Stabilizing and transporting patients to hospitals if necessary
Transferring patients and related information to hospital emergency staff
Restocking supplies and maintaining equipment used during transportation
Relocating patients from one care facility to another

EMTs and paramedics can be employed by fire departments, hospitals and private ambulance services.

Emergency Medicine Degrees and Emergency Medicine Schools

There are three levels of postsecondary training and certification for paramedics: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. These levels are established by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), which awards national certification to graduates of approved programs who pass the required exams. Not all states recognize these credentials and have instead established their own certification exam and designation, or accept the NREMT certification as an option.

EMT and paramedic training programs last from six months to several years depending on the level, and are typically available through vocational schools and community colleges. Diplomas are awarded for shorter programs, and associate's degrees for two-year programs. Programs should be approved by the state.

Emergency Medicine Classes

Students training to become EMTs and paramedics spend time both in class and in emergency rooms and ambulances. Educational programs are designed to prepare them for national certification through the NREMT and/or designations established by individual states. They start by studying for EMT-Basic certification, which covers:

Managing traumatic, respiratory and cardiac emergencies
Assessing patients' status and necessary care
Dealing with fractures, bleeding, airway obstruction, emergency childbirth and cardiac arrest
Using emergency equipment (backboards, splints, suction, oxygen, stretchers, etc.)

Students training for the two EMT-Intermediate levels learn different skills according to requirements of each state. Training usually includes:

Use of advanced airway devices
Administration of intravenous fluid and some medications
30-350 hours of required training

When training for EMT-Paramedic certification, which is the highest occupational level, students learn additional advanced skills and anatomy/physiology through extensive coursework and practical experience.

Online Emergency Medicine Classes and Programs

There are a few emergency medicine training programs offered online. These programs offer flexibility and convenience, but may not be approved by the state in which a student may wish to be licensed. Such programs might be considered best suited for preparatory or supplemental training in combination with an on-campus program that provides required practical experience.

The Accreditation Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) accredits most distance-learning programs.

EMT and Paramedic Requirements

For admission into an emergency medicine training program, a high school diploma or equivalent is usually required. To practice as an EMT or paramedic, students must pass up to five national certification exams or state certification exams if required. These exams are included as part of formal training programs.

How to Evaluate Emergency Medicine Schools

Asking the following questions can help when comparing EMT and paramedic training programs:

Emphasis and focus - Does the school offer programs for all levels of EMT certification? Does it focus more on entry-level, or provide a balance of comprehensive training for all levels?
State approval - Has the program been approved by the state? Does it prepare students for national certification, or state-specific certification which may not be recognized in other states?
Class structure and practical experience - Does the program require substantial experience in both emergency rooms and ambulances? Are classes small enough for optimal learning, and easy to get into?
Tuition and financial aid - What financial aid options such as scholarships, grants and student loans are available through the school?
Graduate success - What percentage of students at each level obtained certification over the past several years? Does the school provide assistance with job placement?

Relevant Schools That Respond Quickly to Info Requests Through This Site

School names link to detailed profiles. Use the Info from the School link to contact the school directly for more information. You may request information from as many schools as you like.

School	Campuses	Awards	Info
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences	Online	Master	Info From School
All-State Career Healthcare Division	PA	Diploma	Info From School
Baker College Campus	MI	Associate, Certificate	Info From School
Bohecker College	OH	Diploma	Info From School
Eastern Kentucky University	Online	Certificate, Master	Info From School
Florida Career Institute	FL	Diploma	Info From School
Goodwin College	CT	Associate	Info From School
Medix	GA	Diploma	Info From School
RETS College	OH	Associate	Info From School
Sanford-Brown College	MO	Associate, Diploma	Info From School
TUI University	Online	Certificate, Master	Info From School
Technical Career Institute	FL	Diploma	Info From School

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