Emt Training
Emergency Medical Technicians make life saving decisions on the daily basis and are often the first to provide treatment after an accident or medical emergency has occurred. EMTs are responsible for evaluating and stabilizing a patient's condition so that they can be transferred to a hospital or other medical facility. Stabilizing may include immobilizing possible spinal cord injuries or bone fractures, controlling external bleeding, preventing shock and maintaining the patient's airways, breathing and circulation.
EMTs most commonly work as ambulance attendants responding to 911 calls and watching over patients when they are transferred from one medical facility to another. They may be called to a variety of emergencies including fires, child births, psychiatric crises, child or spousal abuse situations or hazardous materials exposure. EMTs also work in fire departments, hospital emergency rooms, or industrial settings.
Training requirements for becoming an EMT vary from place to place. To find out what is necessary for EMT training in your area contact the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or EMT employers in your city. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is a voluntary standards and testing organization. In many locations new EMTs must pass the registry's certification exam before employers will consider them. The registry divides EMT training into three categories; basic, intermediate, and paramedic. Those with basic training can provide life support services such as CPR, first aid, bleeding control, splinting and immobilization. Intermediate and paramedic level EMTs receive training in pharmacology, intubation, emergency surgical procedures, setting up intravenous therapy and can operate a greater amount of medical equipment.
Because the work of an EMT is entirely hands-on, there are very few certified online or distance learning programs for training. However, training programs may use online learning for the theory part of courses or provide online learning aids to compliment the topics covered in class. EMT training is done through a combination of learning labs, clinical training, work experience opportunities, and lecture style courses. Depending on the level of training you want to attain, your courses will take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. EMT programs can be found in the medical education department at colleges and universities. Browsing through college catalogues online or using an internet search engine can help you find training programs in your area. Most programs will have pre-selected courses that students must take to achieve their chosen level of training, but also offer elective courses in specialized subjects that students can choose from based on where they intend to work once they graduate.
The only prerequisite for most EMT programs is that the applicant be at least 18 years of age and have completed high school or received their GED. Note that to become a working EMT you must also be capable of carrying and balancing at least 125 pounds and lifting to a height of about 33 inches. EMTs also need to operate a motor vehicle, understand road maps and accurately interpret street signs and addresses. In North America EMTs must be capable of understanding, writing, reading, and communicating in English.