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As of 2019, there were over 265,000 EMT jobs in the US. What’s even better is, the job outlook for the next decade is a 6% growth, which is faster than average!
As you can see, this can be a great career, especially if you have a passion for helping people and know how to handle intense situations calmly and rationally.
If you’re now thinking about becoming an EMT, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss 7 key things you should know about if you want to pursue an EMT career.
1. Know the Difference Between EMTs and Paramedics
When you hear the terms “EMTs” and “paramedics,” you might just use them synonymously. After all, they’re the people who ride in ambulances and save lives, right?
There’s actually a difference between the two, and if you’re going to pursue a career as an EMT, you should definitely know the difference.
EMTs (or emergency medical technicians) can do basic life support tasks. For example, they can take vital signs, perform CPR, bandage up wounds, and treat fractures and burns, things like that.
In general, you’re not allowed to do anything that’ll break the skin. The only exception is auto-injectors, such as an EpiPen for an allergic reaction.
Paramedics, on the other hand, can do everything EMTs can do, but much more. They’re allowed to insert breathing tubes, do manual defibrillation, give medications, and stitch up wounds.
To become a paramedic, you have to be certified as an EMT first. If you want to be an EMT, then you don’t need to be pre-certified as a paramedic.
2. You Need a High School Diploma
In order to become an EMT, you need to have a high school diploma. So if you’re currently in high school, try to tough it out until you get your diploma, even if it’s very difficult.
If you’ve already dropped out of high school, not all hope is lost. You can still go for your GED (Graduate Equivalency Degree or General Educational Diploma), which as the name suggests, is the equivalent of a high school diploma.
If you’re trying to get your GED, try to pick classes that have to do with biology and physiology. Taking PE classes can help too, since you need to be strong for the job. In many situations, you’ll have to lift or transport patients, which means you should be able to lift and carry at least 100 pounds.
3. Get Certified in CPR
CPR is an emergency procedure that allows you to resuscitate someone who isn’t breathing and/or in cardiac arrest. As you can see, it’s a vital skill that EMTs need to have.
While it’s true that some EMT programs include CPR training in their courses, there are others that require you to be certified in CPR before you apply. To save yourself some time, get certified in CPR now so you don’t hit any roadblocks in the near future. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to get certified; if the program you’re looking at includes CPR training, you can always ask to skip it to complete EMT training quicker or you can just take it to refresh your skills and knowledge.
4. You Should Have a Valid Driver’s License
Now, it’s not a requirement to have a valid driver’s license as an EMT. But given the nature of the career, you’ll be hard-pressed to find EMT jobs that don’t require you to have one.
Like with the above tip, it’s always better to be prepared so you don’t have any hurdles in starting your new career. And it can help you spring ahead as well. In most cases, you’ll need a valid driver’s license to become a paramedic, so if you already have one, you’ve got that taken care of already.
5. Get Some Experience if Possible
This isn’t necessary, but it can really help you get a leg up on everyone else. Try to get some relevant experience by applying to be a lifeguard or ride along in ambulances or firetrucks.
All of the above give you firsthand experience in saving people’s lives and dealing with high-stress situations.
They also allow you to familiarize yourself with equipment. See more here about possible equipment you might have to handle as an EMT.
6. EMT Training Takes up to 150 Hours
If you’re wondering how long it takes to become an EMT, it all really depends on the program you’re enrolling in. In general, it takes anywhere between 120 to 150 hours to complete.
These hours can be spread out across several weeks or even months, which can be beneficial if you have other jobs and obligations that take up most of your time. Or you can attend boot camp-style programs, which can be completed in as little as 14 days.
Because of the wide variety of programs, as well as the numerous institutions you can go to, tuition can be as little as less than $1,000 to over $10,000.
7. You Need to Get Certified
Once you complete training, you’re not done just yet! You’ll then need to become certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).
To become certified, you need to take both a cognitive and psychomotor exam. If you pass these tests, then you get national certification.
After this, you can then start applying for basic EMT jobs. If you want to become an Advanced EMT, you have to complete a training program first and also take exams to become certified.
Is Becoming an EMT for You?
After reading this article, you now know more about becoming an EMT. Is it everything you expected or not?
If it is, then you have lots of newfound knowledge to help jumpstart your new career. So hop to it now and get started on an enriching, fulfilling job that’ll have you helping and saving people!
For more career advice, please take a look at the rest of our blog now.
