Becoming an EMT: Emergency Medical Technician Career Information

Superheroes don’t just exist in comic books or on the big screen — they take shape in the form of EMTs. When an emergency medical case arises, EMTs are the dedicated men and women who respond and save lives. Learn more about becoming an EMT, along with salary, job growth, and training information.

What is an EMT?

EMTs are the qualified medical professionals who respond to emergency calls, perform life-saving medical procedures, and transport patients to medical facilities. They care for sick and injured people by providing necessary treatment which could range from life-saving procedures, to treating broken bones.

Responsibilities of EMTs include but are not limited to:

• Assess the conditions of patients and determine the appropriate care
• Safe, yet quick, transportation of patients in the ambulance
• Report information to doctors, nurses, or hospital staff
• CPR
• Administer oxygen
• Record and take vital signs
• Manual airway management

EMTs provide the needed medical care — sometimes with limited equipment — to stabilize patients either at the scene or in the ambulance. A career as an EMT can be a great and rewarding one requiring specific training and skills.

Requirements for EMT Training

If you are interested in becoming an EMT, there are a few requirements that you must fulfill before beginning your training. Each state has its individual minimum requirements, but they are generally aligned with the following:

• 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license
• CPR Certified
• Some schools will require basic math and reading exams before gaining entry
• Some programs require your inoculations to be up to date

Once you fulfill the above requirements, you will be ready to enroll in an EMT training course. Depending on where you go and your specific certification, your EMT program can take anywhere between a month or 24 months to complete. Most vocational schools, trade schools, or community colleges with these programs require between 120-150 hours of coursework.

Although some institutions may require you to be CPR certified prior to your acceptance, some include CPR certification in their curriculum. A portion of your program should also include shadowing a licensed EMT, which provides the firsthand experience you will need before you begin your career.

Once you’ve completed your EMT schooling from a state-approved facility, and you’ve cleared a background check, you will have to sit for a licensing exam that is given by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Some exams are issued by the state, and some are issued nationally; the one you take simply depends on the state you reside in. You must take your exam within two years of completing an accredited EMT program.

You will also take a cognitive motor exam and a psychomotor exam, which evaluate your practical skills. Your ability to provide safe and effective medical care as an EMT-Basic will also be tested. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can attempt this portion of the exam three more times, with a 15 day wait period between each.

NOTE: Your EMT certification must be renewed every two years.

Choosing an EMT Program

It can be difficult to decide which course to choose from. Different programs work for different students, however, there is one factor for all students to consider, and that is ensuring your program is accredited. School accreditation matters — it can affect your eligibility to sit for your licensing exams and even future employment.

Aside from accreditation, there are other deciding factors to keep in mind when choosing the best EMT program for you. We have some tips listed below:

• Create a list of EMT schools that you’re considering. Research each school and, if possible, read student reviews about the school.
• Closely inspect and compare training programs. Consider program length, the courses and skills taught, and whether there is a good combination of classroom work and field work offered.
• Do these EMT programs have job placement services?
• Compare tuitions and check to see which programs offer financial aid.
• What is their student to instructor ratio?
• What is the graduation rate and success rate of their alumni?

Once you complete your research and are happy with answers you get regarding a particular school/schools, you can make an appointment to meet with their admissions office, or simply apply to the program.

How Much is EMT Training?

When compared to careers requiring 4-year university degrees, EMT training programs are relatively more affordable. On average, EMT programs cost $750-$1,800 for private programs, and $200-$1,000 for public ones.

University programs can range between $800-$1,000, whereas community colleges range around $200-$1,000. Depending on the program, some trade schools will cost between $750-$1,800, and the necessary NREMT licensing exam is set at a standard of $70 to take. Aside from tuition, you should account for additional expenses such as books, required health testing/immunizations, and a CPR certificate if it is not included in training.

NAEMT offers scholarships for all levels of EMS certificates and degrees for those who qualify. Since the EMT training is comparatively low cost, check with your institution of choice to see what financial aid they offer or accept, if you qualify, and if they have payment plan options. Learn more about financial aid here.

Later in your career, you may have some continuing education courses to take in order to renew your license. Some of these continuing education courses may be available online.

Classes in an EMT Program

In your training course to become an EMT, you’ll have between 150-160 hours worth of classwork. While exact classes may vary, what you learn will be similar.

Standard EMT Classes:

• Disease transmission
• Emergency scene safety
• EMS system communications
• Different standards of care
• How to bandage wounds
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology
• Medical terminology
• Anatomy and human development
• Patient assessment
• Handling blood loss
• Emergency childbirth delivery

Your training hours should include both classroom and hands-on training.

EMT Employment Opportunities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts steady employment growth for EMTs. By 2032, the BLS estimates a 5 percent increase in demand for EMTs, meaning nearly 18,100 jobs will open for EMTs each year over the next decade.

States with the Highest Level of Employment for EMTs in 2023

EMT Career Ladder

One of the great things about going into EMS jobs is that they do not stop at entry-level. After you’ve gotten your EMT-Basic license, you can keep going on through the offered programs. Many EMT-Basics can lead to other careers in the medical field.

If you choose to advance your career past EMT, a common path through the EMS field can be as follows:

• EMT: 1-3 months of training from an accredited school.
• AEMT: 30-300 hours of additional training to be qualified for certification.
• Paramedic: 6 months-2 years of education, often through an associate degree program.
• Firefighter: 3-6 months of academy training with several hundred hours of field work involved.

When it comes to emergency medical careers, often they are used as stepping stones to jump into higher-level medical careers or emergency service ones. It’s not uncommon for EMTs to further their education and become registered nurses, or even doctors.

How Much EMTs Make

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, EMTs and paramedics earned a national average of $43,100 in 2023. The top 10% of those in EMT careers received an average of $59,390 or more. Some EMTs can also increase their salary by working overtime. Becoming an EMT is a rewarding career for anyone who is passionate about medicine, composed under pressure, and enjoys helping others.

This article was originally posted at: https://emscareernow.com/ems-careers/becoming-a-ba..