Emergency medical services (EMS), as we know the concept today, originated with national legislation known as the National Highway Traffic Safety Act of 1966. This law set standards for training, provided for state and local oversight, advised the establishment of radio communication and highlighted the importance of a singular emergency access telephone number. At this time, the government had come to view traffic accidents as a serious public health issue. Combating the dread effects of such collisions required a normalization of education and procedures across political jurisdictions. Among the aims of the 1966 law was the establishment of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

From the inauguration of the NREMT in 1970, the role and identity of the emergency medical technician (EMT) have solidified within the context of the health care system. States must issue guidelines for EMT training and certification that meet or exceed federal standards. This resulted in improving quality among this class of first responders. Furthermore, graded categories of EMTs now exist, including EMT-Basic, EMT-Paramedic and Paramedic levels of expertise. Needless to say, education and EMT training are comprehensive, as are methods of evaluating candidates. Included among the evaluation components is the psychomotor examination.

The importance of the psychomotor examination in discerning professional competence can not be understated. The cognitive portion of the NREMT exam provides a measure of the candidate’s grasp of theoretical knowledge. Alternately, the psychomotor section tests practical knowledge, facility with equipment, reaction times, communication skills and assessment abilities. In fact, the current version is the end-product of a process begun in the 1990s by the NREMT to assess practical aptitudes relative to revised EMT training curricula. As the organization states on its web site, a psychomotor foundation is essential to understanding the “whys, hows, and sequencing of all steps in each skill…”

Divided into seven parts, the psychomotor exam often utilizes a simulated flesh-and-blood patient to test the candidate’s competencies. First among the segments is a simulated assessment of a trauma patient. The candidate is given a hypothetical scenario and expected evaluate the scene of the incident; determine the extent of injuries; perform necessary resuscitative procedures; get a brief history from the patient (if able to speak); and perform a physical examination that may vary in degrees of detail. The next test division involves ventilatory management, where the candidate must treat respiratory stress while monitoring the pulse at the carotid artery. Use of supplementary oxygen and the bag-valve-mask device is evaluated here, as is dexterity with endotracheal tubes.

The examination continues by testing the abilities to deal with cardiac arrhythmias and accurately discern the measurements of an electrocardiogram . Intravenous therapy and medication administration comprise the fourth portion of the test. Under this heading, the prospective EMT is called to insert a patent IV line into the arm of a mannequin. Upon completing this task, the candidate must then administer a dose of medication, contingent on the scenario given. Another module involves verbal interaction and communication with a patient, where the examinee is tested on the ability to relate to the patient and to extract vital medical information.

The psychomotor evaluation is concluded by two final sections. First, the EMT aspirant demonstrates expertise in pediatric service. Ventilatory management procedures are repeated, this time under a scenario with an infant patient. Insertion of a line to administer bone marrow treatments must also be performed. Finally, EMT training is evaluated through tests of basic skills: stabilizing patients with spinal trauma, managing those in shock and controlling the loss of blood. Successfully completing these rigorous challenges is a credit to the training received.

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.

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.

Have you recently decided to pursue a career as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and want to know more about EMT certification? If you are at least 18 years old, in good physical condition and have good eyesight, you meet the basic requirements involved in becoming an EMT. You will have to successfully complete coursework and lab work as well meet established requirements on the NREMT examination. Before you do begin your coursework, you will have to select a certification level that you wish to pursue and understand state requirements. Let’s examine the four levels of EMT certification.

The First Responder level is not typically mentioned in the EMT certifications, but it should be noted. Certain states do allow a First Responder certification after completing coursework that is usually 40-60 hours in length. This is why it is important that you do some research on the states you are interested in beginning your EMT career. First Responders are trained in the use of CPR, Automatic External Defibrillators, oxygen administration, bandaging and emergency child birth. EMT-Basic is the beginner level of EMT certifications and requires at least 110 hours of coursework and training. After completing this level of certification, you will be trained in bleeding control, oxygen administration, oropharyngeal airway, nasopharyngeal airway and splinting.

The next level of EMT classification is EMT-Intermediaries and there are two sub-classifications: EMT-I/85 and EMT-I/99. After completing EMT-I/85 training, you would be able to administer IVs and provide better assessments. EMT-I/99 involves more advanced training and will allow you to use cardiac monitoring among other things. EMT-Intermediaries training will require 200 to 400 hours of coursework and training. The highest EMT classification level is EMT-Paramedic, which requires around 1000 hours of training. EMT-Paramedics are highly skilled and able to complete several medical procedures: Fluid resuscitation, pharmaceutical administration and cardiac monitoring.

If you have decided to pursue a career as an EMT, it is important that familiarize yourself with the different levels of EMT classification, which include the following: First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediary, including EMT-I/85 and EMT-I/19, and EMT-Paramedics. Each classification level requires varying time commitments and equips you with different types of skills. It is important that you select a classification that is appropriate for you and then proceed to complete the required training to obtain EMT certification.

Attending an EMT training course will prepare you with the skills required for life in the field. You will learn the necessary emergency medical procedures and techniques to make you an effective responder when emergencies happen. However, at the culmination of your training, you will have one last hurdle to overcome before you are able to receive the certification you will need to be licensed to practice as an EMT in any state in the country: the certification exam.

As you may be aware, many states now use the standard EMT-Basic certification exam offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or NREMT. Some states allow the candidate to take either a state exam or the NREMT exam, and a small handful of states require candidates to sit for state-approved exams only, although this number seems to be diminishing.

With the NREMT exam quickly becoming the national standard for EMT certification, this makes preparing for the test much easier for EMT candidates. With many states moving toward this standardized exam, you may now begin to prepare for the test itself well-ahead of actually taking it. One of the best methods to prepare you for success on the NREMT is through the use of practice exams.

There are many practice exam modules available online to choose from which will allow you to walk through actual practice questions from the test right from your computer. One of our favorites is the EMT-Basic exam preparation system offered by our friends at EMT National Training. Their practice module has some very useful features which we haven’t found in other exam preparation software, most notably very detailed progress tracking and simple practice exam setup.

In addition to helping you successfully prepare for certification at the conclusion of your training, practice tests can be an excellent way for individuals get a sense of what topics will be introduced during training that should be focal points for exam study later on. We would recommend beginning to use an NREMT practice exam system at the beginning of your training course as it will allow you to see how the topics covered in your training will be introduced and presented in the exam itself.

With proper preparation, you can successfully pass the exam at the conclusion of your EMT training.

After successfully completing your EMT training to become an emergency medical technician, you will need to sit for a certification exam. This exam is the final step in your EMT training to ensure your readiness to complete the duties required as an EMT. Since this exam is a critical step in the process of training, it is helpful to review some fundamental preparation techniques to help you achieve the best score possible for your test.

The EMT certification exam is a tool to evaluate your ability to process and retain the knowledge which you have gained through the course of your training. As such, you should try to progressively increase the amount of time that you study for the test as you progress through the training modules. Due to the fact that courses tend to very often be condensed into short time frames, it is best to begin getting into the habit of dedicating a few hours per week to studying very early on in your training program. There is no benefit to waiting until the end of the course to study as you will only increase the amount of stress and it’s much easier to comprehend and retain the material as it is presented.

Study When You Are Most Awake and Alert

You’ve probably heard this rule before during your school years, however, it holds true for your EMT certification exam as well. When you are awake and alert, your mind processes and retains information at a much higher rate. This will vary for each individual, but find the time of day that works for you and stick with it.

Find the Best Location to Study

Another key to knowledge retention when you are preparing for your training exam is finding the right location to study. Research has proven that the best environments for mental function for the majority of individuals will be both quiet and cool. Find a place that won’t include distractions or noise (perhaps a local library) and that also won’t be so hot that it induces fatigue or sleepiness.

Eat a Proper Diet

Although many of us like to load up on caffeine when we study, too much caffeine can cause a lack of focus. Additionally, avoid eating snacks which are high in sugar as they will leave you fatigued and less likely to be able to focus for long periods. Don’t study when you’re hungry and eat healthful foods such as fruits and vegetables and you’ll be much more likely to stay focused for a long period of time.

Break Up Your Study Schedule

In addition to making sure that you aren’t cramming when you study for your training exam, don’t try to study for hours upon end with no breaks. Research has indicated that the ideal block of time for knowledge retention is 45 minutes at a time. During your studies, try to prepare for 45 minutes at a time then take a break and perhaps go for a short walk or move around a bit.

By making an effort to properly and effectively study for your certification exam, you will ensure that you complete this last step in your EMT training successfully.

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.

If you have spent any amount of time researching EMT training and certification, you’ve probably noticed that each state has its own certifying agency. While EMT training standards are set at a federal level by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or NREMT, it is not required that a state adopt these standards. Currently 46 states utilize NREMT standards in at least one level of their EMT training, however, the state agencies are ultimately responsible for the administration of testing and certification within their own jurisdiction. As such, it can be very difficult to ascertain exactly what the standards are for EMT training in your state or community.

Here at the EMT Training and Career Headquarters, we are hoping to provide you with a comprehensive resource for determining what you can expect at the state level in which you plan to begin your EMT training. While it will take some time for us to compile data for each specific state, our goal is to assimilate this information in a comprehensive manner that produces a resource that will allow you to properly prepare for training in your area. Presently, the landscape for individual state agencies is bewildering and, quite frankly, very confusing. Our goal is to change that. Over the coming months, we will be gathering state-specific data and compiling it into a database that will allow you to find specific information relating to your intended state of practice.

Within many states, there is little variation in standards. Some states even have reciprocity with other states. However, the fact is that if you plan to transfer from one state to another, you are likely to have to apply for their individual state entrance exam, even if you have already completed your EMT training. Your best option is to be fully informed of and prepared for state-specific requirements and our goals is to assist you in preparing yourself for these.

Our goal is simple: to help you prepare to be the best emergency medical technician that you can be. If you are interested in finding out more about specific requirements within your state, stay tuned. We hope that by compiling state-specific training information into one library, we can simplify and clarify the process.

If you’re interested in beginning your EMS career, you may be wondering what the differences actually are between EMT training and paramedic training. We often hear these two terms used interchangeably in news reports on the television and radio, but these two professions require very different levels of training and their on the job responsibilities are quite different as well.

Essentially, paramedics are EMT’s. To become certified as a paramedic, an individual must have completed basic training as an EMS professional, commonly referred to as EMT-B. However, in order to move up the ladder and become a paramedic, a candidate must undergo additional paramedic training.

The first major difference is the number of hours required for certification at the paramedic level. While training for the EMT-B will consist of approximately 120 to 150 hours of instruction, paramedic training can consist of anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 hours of training over the course of a couple of years.

The reason for this additional training is that the scope of practice for the paramedic involves many additional duties which may not be fulfilled by the EMT-Basic. Depending upon the state of practice, a paramedic may be trained in the administration of anywhere from 30 to 40 separate medications. This is an area of instruction not covered in training at the basic level. Additionally, paramedics are able to conduct skin punctures for the administration of medications as well as intravenous fluids.

The level of trauma and emergency care is advanced in paramedic training as well. While basic training will provide instruction in many areas of trauma and emergency management such as musculoskeletal injuries, airway obstructions, and allergic reactions, paramedics receive advanced training in these areas.

Many professionals in the emergency care field consider it best to undergo basic training and then acquire a year or two of field experience prior to moving toward certification as a paramedic. The logic behind this is that you will be much better prepared for paramedic training and much more receptive to the subject matter introduced in the program if you have a fundamental understanding of the practices in the field. Obviously, emergency medicine is a highly variable working environment and there are certain situations which can be encountered on the job that cannot be adequately conveyed with course work alone.

If you happen to be interested in paramedic training, hopefully this article has illustrated some of the factors which are necessary to successful certification in the field. Consider beginning your basic EMT training immediately if you’re interested in a long-term career as a paramedic and going on to enroll in paramedic training.

If you decide that you do want to undergo EMT training and begin your career in emergency medicine, you will most likely be introduced to the profession as an EMT-Basic. The EMT-Basic, or EMT-B, is the entry level position for pre-hospital emergency medical care and requires EMT training specifically designed for this position.

Prerequisites to Apply for Certification as an EMT-B

*High school diploma

*Applicant must be 18 year of age

*Valid CPR credentials

*Completion of a state-approved EMT-B training course within the past 2 years

*Completion of state-approved EMT-B psychomotor exam

The EMT-B Course

While training courses for the EMT-B are regulated at both state and federal levels, the curriculums for the courses are standardized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. EMT-B training courses are offered in most major cities and towns across the country through private agencies and local colleges.

During the training for the EMT-B, you can generally expect the modules to be broken down into areas of study as follows:

Basic preparation: These modules will include general information to educate the student on anatomy and physiology, ethical and legal issues surrounding patient care, and self-care in the field.

Introductory Operations: Instruction on the ambulance operations, patient transfer, hazardous materials training, rescues, and often helicopter transport.

Patient Assessment: This portion of the course is designed to provide fundamental techniques relating to patient assessment, vital signs analysis, patient communication, and treatment documentation.

Airway Management: Designed to instruct the student in the basic anatomy of the human oxygen passageways and best practice techniques for managing patient airway obstructions and constrictions.

Dealing with Medical Emergencies: This segment of the courses prepare the EMT-B to deal with specific methods for handling many types of medical emergencies such as respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and cardiac arrest.

Trauma Management: The trauma management modules are designed to prepare the student for treatment of trauma situations such as blood loss, neck and spinal injuries, as well as any other form of soft tissue or musculoskeletal trauma.

In addition to the state-approved course, the EMT-B candidate will be expected to pass the state’s cognitive examination and psychomotor assessment. We will go into more details on these exams in a future article, however, successful completion of these tests will be required prior to applying for certification. We will also explore the continuing education component required of the EMT-Basic in a future post.

Hopefully this introduction to the structure of the EMT-Basic course provides you with a sense of excitement. Beginning your training to lead you toward a career in emergency medicine is a thrilling time.