EMT / Paramedic Training

Overview

If you are looking out for a challenging and exciting career to make an incredible difference in the lives of others, then look no further than becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic. These professionals are responsible for assessing patient's conditions at the scene of an accident or crime and caring for these patients while driving emergency service vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, and other rescue vehicles. Due to the nature of the job, paramedics and EMTs play a crucial role in making a difference in a life-or-death scenario. They need to be available for service whenever they are needed.

Benefits

Most paramedics say that the best benefit of this job is the satisfaction of having tried to save a life. Employment is not restricted to hospitals. EMTs are also employed in first aid administration in industries and entertainment clubs, fire departments, police departments, and in pre-hospital settings. Career advancement can also be in the form of becoming an instructor, dispatcher, or physician's assistant. Job opportunities are expected to increase rapidly as more employers prefer certified professionals to volunteers. The average salary for an EMT/paramedic is $27,000 a year.

Costs

The duration of the course and the schools offering them determine the cost. On an average, the cost varies from $6,000 for a six month course in EMT to $20,000 for a one year course.

Schools

Every state requires paramedics and EMTs to be certified before starting their career. Online learning is generally not available for this course, as training to become a paramedic or EMT requires hands-on work. For example, you need to take classes on how to deal with bleeding, airway obstruction, childbirth, and other common scenarios that healthcare professionals encounter. Upon completing the EMT training course, you will be required to register with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) before starting work. Many EMT training courses are available at community colleges and a few universities as well. Some schools that offer a course in EMT/paramedic training are University of Texas, San Antonio, Lansing Community College, and Indiana University.

Testing & Preparation

As a preparatory measure, it is advisable to take courses in biology and chemistry in high school. There are no special tests that are required to enroll in an EMT course.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is usually available for those pursuing courses at a university or community college and who satisfy the requirements for receiving financial support. Colleges like Alberta Health and Safety Training Institute and Northern Virginia Community College offer financial aid for their students. Students can support themselves by applying for FAFSA, federal direct loans, federal Stafford loans, Pell grants, and also loans from private lending institutions. Another option is to enroll for the Federal Work Study program, which allows a student to work part-time in order to fund the cost of the course.