Thank you for visiting the EMT Training and Career Headquarters. We have a simple mission: to provide you with the resources you need to best prepare for an exciting career as an emergency medical technician. We hope to offer you up to date and accurate information regarding EMT training courses, requirements for certification, and even job opportunities which may be available in your town or region.

A career as an EMT can truly be a very exciting and rewarding choice. While the profession does require an investment in your future by enrolling for the required EMT training for your state, opportunities for employment are steadily on the rise in many areas of the country. With work opportunities available through a variety of employers such as hospitals, private ambulatory services, and governmental agencies such as fire departments, locating a rewarding position in the emergency medical services field is possible no matter where you live.

You may have already spoken with an emergency medical technician or paramedic about their job and work experiences. One of the common themes that will come up over and over when you talk with individuals who has already been through EMT training and started out on their career path is that the job offers a challenging and dynamic working environment. EMTs and paramedics experience new situations each and every day on the job and as such, are continually adding to their foundation of knowledge and experience.

After completing EMT training and setting out to establish your own career, you will discover that employment opportunities in the field frequently offer flexible schedules, good benefits, and in some cases additional employment perks such as financial reimbursement for continuing on with your paramedic or advanced EMT training. All of these factors make employment as an emergency medical technician an incredibly attractive career opportunity if you are seeking stable employment within the healthcare industry. There is also room for advancement on most working environments which can lead to increased responsibilities and enhanced pay grades, meaning that you can develop a long-lasting and stimulating career in this field.

We hope that you’ll take some time to browse through all of the resources offered here at the EMT training and Career Headquarters and utilize them to prepare yourself for an exciting career as an emergency medical technician.

Whether you’re just getting started in planning your career in emergency medical services or you’re already enrolled in an EMT training program in your area, you may still have some trouble visualizing what life looks like in the field once you’ve received certification and started work in the industry. Sure, your training will prepare you as an emergency medical responder and you’ll understand the processes and procedures to follow once you’ve gotten a job placement. However, speaking first hand with a practicing EMT is the absolute best way to discover if your cut out for this line of work.

The EMT Training and Career Headquarters was recently fortunate enough to briefly speak with Christopher Garrison, 32, an EMT-Basic in the Dallas-Forth Worth metro area. We asked Chris a few questions about his journey, life in the field, and what he views as the challenges for any aspiring EMT. We great appreciate him taking the time to respond to our questions…enjoy!

EMT Training and Career Headquarters: Chris, how long have you been working as an EMT?

Christopher Garrison: I received my certification in 2009, so I’ve been in the industry for right at 2 years now.

EMTTACH: How’s it going so far? Do you enjoy the work?

CG: It’s the right place for me to be. I’m not the type to sit at a desk all day, I need to be on the go. I’ve always had an interest in the medical field and an aptitude for science. I’ve also always been the type of person that’s cool under pressure. I tend to really thrive when others around me are in a state of panic, so that ability to focus and follow procedure when I’m in a stressful situation was initially what led me to this career.

EMTTACH: Do you work for a public or a private agency?

CG: Right now, I’m employed with a private ambulance service here in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. I’d rather not mention my employer publicly, but it’s been a good company to work for.

EMTTACH: How long did it take you to find work after your EMT-B program?

CG: I actually had a lead on a company that was hiring right before I received my cert, so I was basically employed right out of training. I think I got pretty lucky, because [other EMT candidates] in my class were having a tough time with the economy coming out of a recession. I’d say overall though, it’s a pretty good field to be in if you want to sort of stay isolated from the big unemployment spikes and layoffs.

EMTTACH: What’s been the best part of this line of work for you?

CG: I’d say the schedule. When I’m on, I’m on, and when I’m off, I can be at home and just escape and spend time with my family. I’ve pretty much got it made right now since I’m doing four twelves from 6:00am to 6:00pm with three days off. Not to mention, after being in the field and getting a feel for the work, I can’t really picture myself working outside of this industry. It’s where I need to be.

EMTTACH: Our web site audience is primarily made up of aspiring emergency medical technicians who are looking for information to get started in the career. Any advice for someone who’s looking to get a foot in the door?

CG: I’d say you need to know if it’s the right job for you. While it might not take four years of med school to get a job, it’s not for everyone. I’ve talked to a lot of folks who are like “Well, I was laid off and I’ve been trouble finding a job, maybe I should start looking at training courses”. To me, it’s either in your DNA or it’s not. I don’t see it as the kind of career you get started in just to make ends meet while you’re looking for something else to do. It takes a certain type of person to handle the demands of what we do and you’ve got to know if that’s you.

EMTTACH: So you plan on sticking with it?

CG: Definitely. Like I said, it’s the path for me for now and I just can’t picture doing anything else.

EMTTACH: Any tips for someone who’s ready to start their EMT training?

CG: I’d say more than anything, just get involved and take part. The worst thing you can do is sit back during clinical and just watch what’s going on. Get in there and volunteer every time you have the opportunity. If you think you’re going to learn everything by sitting back and watching, you’re going to be in for a rude awakening when you’re in the field.

The EMT Training and Career Headquarters would like to thank Chris for volunteering his time to answer our questions. Stay tuned for more interviews with emergency medical services professionals in the coming months.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in a robust and recession-proof field? You may want to consider working to become an EMT or paramedic. It can be very satisfying to work as an EMS personnel. If you enjoy making a positive difference in the lives of others, enjoy tackling new challenges, look forward to working in a group setting and are physically fit, then you can really succeed as an EMS personnel. The fact that the aging baby boom generation will require tremendous medical attention over the coming years bodes well for the job security and job prospects for EMT personnel. One of the major elements of importance to aspiring EMTs and paramedics is the educational requirements of becoming a part of the EMS personnel. It is important to take a close look at what is required to enroll for a certified EMT training course.

A college degree is not required to work in EMS but a high school diploma or GED is necessary before beginning EMT training. It is absolutely important that you have solid reading, math and study skills in order to succeed as an EMT or paramedic. If you are currently a high school student or know someone in high school who is interested in pursuing a career as an EMS personnel, it is important to know that biology, chemistry, math, computer and technology courses should be focused on. After completing high school you can complete an EMT program, which typically lasts several months, at community colleges throughout the country. Upon completion of the EMT training program, you will be eligible to take a standardized State exam in order to earn licensure. Testing for State licensure does not require a college degree. You may want to consider pursuing a longer paramedic program, which will increase your earning potential. Testing for paramedic licensure also does not require a college degree.

Working as an EMT or paramedic can be an incredibly satisfying experience since you would be directly helping others in a variety of ways. As the baby boom generation continues to age and require extensive medical attention, the demand and job prospects for EMTs and paramedics will remain high. A college degree is not necessary to take required standardized state licensure exams to become an EMT or paramedic. It is necessary to earn a high school diploma or GED and complete post-high school training program in order to be eligible to take the licensure exams.

Are you considering volunteering as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)? This can serve as an incredibly worthwhile and satisfying experience for you, as you will be directly involved in providing individuals with medical care and attention. The aging members of the baby boom generation will continue to require significant medical attention over the coming years, which translates to strong job prospects for EMTs and paramedics. It is important to make a comparison between volunteer EMT positions and paid EMT position so that you can weigh the pros and cons.

If you are interested in volunteering as an EMT, an excellent source for potential opportunities is VolunteerEms.org, an online directory listing possible options for you. You can also contact local universities and community colleges for potential opportunities. Volunteering as an EMT is an excellent way to gain some important real-world experience, which can help your future job search. If you are pursuing a job in the medical field, volunteering as an EMT is an excellent step to gain valuable experience and impress prospective employers. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates very strong job prospects for EMTs, it may be possible, given the challenging economic circumstances, that you may not be able to immediately secure employment. This could make volunteering as an EMT a very attractive option that would prevent your resume from having any gaps. The obvious disadvantage of working as a volunteer EMT is that you would likely not receive any compensation for your grueling work. Volunteering as an EMT can be a major time commitment and it may just not be feasible for you to spend so much time doing something that does not provide immediate compensation. Working as an EMT exposes you to a higher risk of possible injuries which also makes volunteering less appealing.

It can be incredible satisfying volunteering as an EMT. You will have the opportunity to help those in need on a regular basis. It can be very fulfilling to provide medical care to others. Volunteering as an EMT will provide you with valuable real-world experience that can pay dividends if you want to pursue a career in the medical field. The major disadvantage of volunteering as an EMT is that you will likely not receive compensation and this just may not be practical for you. You really must weigh the experience you can acquire volunteering as an EMT with the fact that you will not receive compensation for your hard work in your decision.

Are you an EMT who must relocate for various reasons? Life often brings about circumstances which force you to move. It is important for you to do some research on the EMT reciprocity rules for the State which you are moving to. You should already be aware of your market value as an EMT personnel, which will be heavily determined by geographical location as well as experience and education. As an EMT, you have earned certification. You must do some research in order to determine whether or not the State you are transitioning to will accept your certification.

Most States will require some key components as part of EMT reciprocity: Your current certification must be valid in the State it was issued, your current State has training requirements that at least match the general requirements for the State you are moving to and you can provide documentation of course completion for your certification. It is in your best interest to be NREMT certified, as most States will require a written examination if you are not NREMT certified. A good number of States will waive certain testing requirements if you are NREMT certified. If you are not NREMT certified, you must be prepared for at least some testing requirements in the State you are transitioning to.

There are several States that do not recognize National Registry at the EMT-B level: Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Utah and Wyoming. There are also a number of States that do not recognize National Registry at the EMT-P level: Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Utah and Wyoming. It is important for you to understand this if you are transitioning to one of these States.

Life brings about various opportunities, challenges and circumstances that may force you to make a move. As an EMT, you have current State certification and you must do some research to understand whether or not the State you are transitioning to will accept and recognize your certification. Each State has different criteria it will use to make the determination. It is absolutely in your best interest to be NREMT certified in order to minimize the potential hassles and pitfalls with EMT reciprocity.

Are you an EMT looking to transition to a career as a paramedic and want to know exactly how to become a paramedic? You can certainly expect to earn a higher salary as a paramedic. According to Salary.com, the median salary for paramedics is roughly $38,000 compared to about $29,000 for an EMT. Making the transition from EMT to paramedic can have significant long-term career advantages as well. An EMT with five years experience can expect to make around $39,000 while a paramedic with five years experience can expect to make roughly $50,000. If this higher salary potential interests you, let’s take a look at how you can make the transition from EMT to paramedic.

If you have completed the EMT-II or EMT-III program and want to advance your career by discovering how to become a paramedic, you can complete an EMT to paramedic bridge course. This bridge course will expose you to such advanced fields as medical emergencies, trauma, cardiology and respiratory care. There are usually requirements as far as how many classroom hours must be completed in order to successfully pass such a bridge course. You can also expect to complete a significant amount of lab work and clinical rotations in an EMT to paramedic bridge course. If you have a busy schedule and must continue working as an EMT while making the transition, you may choose to complete an online EMT to paramedic bridge course. The advantage of such online courses is that you have greater latitude in designing your own schedule. Online courses will be centered on PowerPoint presentations, videos and online lectures that can be recorded for later viewing. Once you successfully complete an EMT to paramedic bridge course, you may take the NREMT Paramedic certification exam. You must meet the standards in such areas as patient-assessment trauma, ventilatory management, cardiac management skills, and IV and medication skills.

If you are interested in advancing your career from EMT to learning how to become a paramedic, you may want to research in EMT to paramedic bridge courses that are available. You must be prepared to devote significant time to both classroom and lab work. If you do happen to have a very busy and loaded schedule, you may want to consider completing the classroom portion online. Transitioning from an EMT to paramedic can really be worth it in terms of the salary you can command.

There are some very severe health risks associated with working as an EMT. EMT personnel typically must adjust to periods of relative inactivity and periods of very intense and strenuous activity. This type of challenging lifestyle poses serious health risks for those working in this profession. Some of the biggest health problems and issues associated with working as in EMT jobs that are embedded in the public consciousness include elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular related injuries and deaths. There are other major health risks associated with working as an EMT that must be examined.

One of the major health risks those working in EMT jobs face, as a result of their lifestyle, stems from unhealthy diet and sleep patterns. EMT personnel must cope with extremely long shifts every week, which can understandably disrupt eating and sleeping habits. Many EMT personnel work second jobs which can further intensify the disruption caused to their eating and sleeping habits. Another major health risk associated with working as an EMT stems from extreme noise exposure. The dBa range of noise exposure that EMT personnel encounter far exceeds federally acceptable levels. EMT personnel are also exposed to psychological trauma, which can lead to PTSD. EMT personnel are constantly exposed to traumatic scenes and images, which can absolutely impact their psychological state after some time.

EMT personnel must cope with high job demand and low discretionary abilities, which can also elevate stress and cause health problems. Heart rate and systolic blood pressure tends to be much higher for those working under the conditions of high job demand and low discretionary abilities. Finally, one health risk that may come as a surprise stems from the fact that a good portion of EMT personnel happen to be obese. This is not a thought that would initially cross your mind when thinking about EMT personnel. Obesity contributes to hypertension among EMT personnel and makes it difficult for personnel to execute the strenuous demands of the job.

There are some very serious and severe health risks associated with working as an EMT. These risks include or stem from the following: Elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular related injuries and deaths, unhealthy diet and sleep patterns, elevated noise exposure, psychological trauma, high job demand and low discretionary abilities and obesity.

Are you interested in pursuing a career that is recession-proof and boasts strong job security? You may want to consider becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The truth of the matter is that the world will never be rid of injuries and accidents, which means that there will always be strong job prospects and job security for EMTs and paramedics. Let’s take a more detailed look at the job prospects and job security that an EMT career path would provide you.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for EMTs is expected to expand 9 percent between the years 2008 and 2018. What is fueling this anticipated employment expansion? The baby boom generation comprises a large segment of the population and this group requires significant medical attention, which increases the need for EMTs and paramedics. Emergency departments throughout the nation are experiencing significant overcrowding, which means that EMTs and paramedics must spend more time with patients. This means that more EMTs and paramedics will be needed in order to keep pace with the increasing number of patients who require care and attention. Another major factor that will ensure strong job security and job prospects for EMTs and paramedics is the fact that hospitals are becoming increasingly specialized. This means that patients will have to be transferred more frequently to other hospitals via ambulance. This will mean that more EMTs and paramedics will be needed to ensure that patients receive sufficient care during the transportation period.

You will experience tremendous job security working as an EMT. However, you must be aware that there are limited career advancement opportunities with this job selection. In order to really maximize both your job security and job prospects, it would be in your best interest to complete advanced education and complete certification requirements. Competition for EMT jobs will be fierce in local government and third-party departments, which are known to offer greater benefits.

Overall, if you choose to pursue a career as an EMT, you can be assured that you will have strong job security and job prospects. The major reason for this is that the aging members of the baby boom generation, which comprises a major portion of the population, will require significant medical care and attention in the coming years. The entire medical field will have strong job security and job prospects and working as an EMT is no exception. In order to maximize job security and job prospects, it is favorable to complete advanced EMT education and obtain certification.

Are you interested in pursuing a career as an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic? EMTs and paramedics are vital parts of emergency services, as lives depend on the swift action and competent care initiated by EMS personnel. It can be very satisfying to work as an EMT or paramedic and if you enjoy challenges and working in a group setting to make a positive impact on society, working as an EMS personnel could be a great path for you. The aging members of the baby boom generation will require significant medical attention over the coming years, which means that job prospects will be strong for EMTs and paramedics. As an EMT or paramedic, you must be ready to administer drugs to individuals in need. Let’s take a look at what you can expect to handle as an EMT or paramedic.

If you opt to pursue a career as an EMT, you can expect to handle and administer the following drugs: Epinepherine, Meter-Dose Inhaler, Nitroglycerin, Activated Charcoal and Oral Glucose. Epinepherine is the primary treatment used for Anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergy. A Meter-Dose inhaler is a pressurized inhaler that is used to treat the symptoms of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory problems. Nitroglycerin is used on individuals experiencing back pain and it helps improve blood flow. Activated Charcoal is used as a treatment for poisoning. Oral Glucose is used to increase dangerously low blood glucose levels. If you opt to pursue a career as a paramedic, you will receive more extensive education and training and will be able to administer many more drugs, including the following: Atropine, Albuterol, Adenosine, Amiodrone, Cardizem, Calcium Chloride, Dopamine, Epinephrine, Furosemide, Morphine, Nitroglycerin, Narcan, Mag Sulfate, Versed, Valium, Lidocaine, Vasopressin, Sodium Bicarb, Benadryl and Aspirin.

If you choose to pursue a career as an EMT or paramedic, you will be directly involved in helping to save peoples’ lives. You will need to be very familiar with a variety of drugs that will be used to aid individuals in need of medical care. You can expect to handle and administer a basic set of drugs as an EMT. A paramedic has much more extensive education and training and is thus able to handle and administer a much greater selection of drugs.

It is important that you research your state’s requirements for EMT continuing education. To get a general idea of continuing education requirements for EMTs, let’s consider the guidelines set by the State of New York. The EMT, EMT-I, EMT-CC and paramedic medical provider level each has specific criteria and requirements for completing 72 hours of continuing education.

At the EMT-Basic level, a 24-hour refresher training is necessary, which reviews important core concepts in the following areas as outlined by the NREMT: Preparatory, airway, patient assessment, medical/behavioral, trauma, obstetrics/gynecology and infants and children. Additional classroom hours are required in geriatrics and WMDs/terrorism. At the EMT-Intermediate level, all of these same continuing education components are required as well as 34-hours of refresher training. At this level, you will also be exposed to concepts in advanced airway management/ventilation. At the EMT-Critical Care Technician level, 36-hours of refresher training are required and some special concepts that will be highlighted include obstetric emergencies, neonatology and pediatrics. At the more advanced paramedic level, 48-hours of refresher training are required and such areas as the following will be highlighted: Pulmonary and cardiology, neurology/endocrinology/allergies and anaphylaxis, gatroentaerology/renal and urology/toxicology/hematology, gynecology, obstetrics, abuse and assault.

Continuing education is a very important part of working as an EMT. Continuing education programs can include a variety of components that are related to EMS and pre-hospital care. It is very important that continuing education activities are properly and accurately documented after completion. For example, if a 10-hour course ends 2 hours early, the participant should only receive 8 hours of credit.

Continuing education is such an integral part of working as an EMS personnel because it allows workers to keep pace with the rapidly changing world of emergency medicine and pre-hospitalized care. Attending EMS conferences, lectures and seminars are additional approaches to keeping pace with the rapidly evolving field. You must do some research regarding your State’s continuing education requirements for EMS personnel. These requirements may roughly resemble the requirements established by the State of New York. You should expect to complete a refresher course that reviews core content material at any EMS level. Depending on which level you are at, you will also be exposed to specialized concepts.

Are you interested in pursuing a career as an emergency medical technician (EMT)? An EMT is a vital part of emergency services, as lives depend on the rapid reaction and care provided by EMTs and paramedics. On your journey to becoming an EMT, you will have to successfully complete both classroom curriculum and clinical rotations during EMT training. If you are truly committed to pursuing a career as an EMT, it is important for you to understand what to expect during clinical rotations.

There are generally two types of clinical rotations that an EMT training student must complete, including the ambulance clinical rotation and Emergency Department clinical rotation. Ambulance clinical rotation provides the EMT student hands-on experience working as part of an ambulance crew. Under strict supervision, you will be able to apply your classroom education to real-life settings and scenarios. You will gain a greater understanding and appreciation for all the elements of working on an ambulance crew, including checking the ambulance during the beginning of your shift, providing patient care and handing the patient to the Emergency Department staff. The Emergency Department clinical rotation gives the EMT student the opportunity to witness how the ED operates and how a patient is assisted once the ambulance crew turns the patient over to the ED. As is the case with ambulance clinical rotations, ED clinical rotations will be done under strict supervision and will allow EMT students to apply classroom education to practical situations. Once clinical rotations are completed, your supervisor should complete a student evaluation form.

There are some important general rules that any EMT student should follow during clinical rotations. It is important that the EMT student is dressed properly and focused for the tasks to come. The EMT student should have identification ready to show at all times. It is also vital that the EMT student strictly follows all rules and regulations and has appropriate paperwork filled out after completion of rotations.

If you really want to pursue a career as an EMT, you must be prepared for both classroom learning and hands-on clinical rotations. The two types of clinical rotations that EMT students must typically complete include ambulance clinical rotations and Emergency Department clinical rotations. It is absolutely essential that you dress appropriately, have identification ready to present, follow all rules and regulations and have appropriate paperwork filled out at the end of your clinical rotation.