EMT vs. Paramedic: Is There Really A Difference?

Is there a real difference between being  paramedic or emergency medical technician? The news anchors all use the words interchangeably. Even the magazines and books switch the words occasionally.

Emergency medical technicians or EMTs and paramedics work in a field that requires exception education, extensive training, and lots of experience. The lives of many people are in their hands. This job demands good and strong physical health, emotional stability and mental acuity.

If you have been considering entering this field, you’ll want to know as much as you can about the requirements that are set forth by your state. This is because your state regulates who can work in the field of emergency medical services. If you do not have certification from the state, you cannot find employment as an EMT. It is illegal. Therefore, you want to be sure that you only take training programs from schools that are approved by your state. It is better to spend extra money for a state approved training program, then to go dirt cheap with a school that will only get you rejected when it comes time to take your license exams.

Both Paramedics and EMTs are considered to be first responders. They are usually working together in teams on a truck or helicopter. They arrive on the scene of medical emergencies such as car accidents, fires, violence injuries, or natural disasters. They help give life support to the people who need it.

While the EMT does have extensive training in how to work in an emergency medical situation, the paramedic will have much more advanced knowledge and skills on hand. He or she also will have more field experience than the EMT basic. Often, paramedics end up training new EMTs on the job. They have EMT trainees that also do internships with ambulance companies, during their studies.

There are differences between paramedics and EMTs. The first thing to know is that EMTs are not paramedics, but paramedics are definitely EMTs. One of the main differences between the two careers is the amount of education and training that is required. An EMT does not receive as much education and training as the paramedic does. During the time that you are an EMT, you will not have as much responsibilities as the paramedics do. Paramedics can perform most, if not all of the procedures the EMT can, and also can perform more advanced procedures.

If you’re interested in becoming an EMT instead of a paramedic, then it will be a lot easier to complete. The average levels for emergency medical technician certification are as follows:

1. EMT-Basic

2. EMT-Intermediate 1995 and 1999 (there are two categories)

3. EMT-Paramedic

If you’re thinking about the paramedic profession, then you’ll have to start at the EMT-Basic level. For more information on this, visit the NREMT site. Also, you can begin your EMT training by simply searching the internet for schools near you. Paramedic or EMT, both careers are well established and respected in society. It is not just a job that pays the bills, but a career that is an altruistic profession. 

EMT Training Guide

Whenever a person is considering a job as an emergency medical technician, they need to consider that right now is a great time to enter the field, because the demand for this profession is very high. It will only increase as the years pass by. After having gone through the EMT training, an individual can work as an EMT and help save lives every single day.

In order for you to get started in the emergency medical services, you have to have a few things in place. The first thing that is required is a high school diploma or a GED. You will also have to take EMT training. The amount of training you will need will differ from state to state. You will learn how to help in emergency childbirth, heart attacks, heat strokes, gun shot wounds, car accidents and more.

There are different levels of emergency medical technician training. The first level is known as EMT basic. You will learn basic first aid and CPR. Also, you will learn how to use airway devices, suctions, splints and how to immobilize the injured person on to a stretcher. You will also learn and understand extensive medical terminology. Although most doctors and nurses speak English here in the USA, they have a sub-language that the lay person does not understand. This is a medical jargon that you must study and understand thoroughly enough to be able to effectively communicate with each doctor and nurse.

The second level is known as EMT-Intermediate. At this level you will have many more hours of class work. The most advanced level is known as paramedic. This is usually taken at a community college or a technical school. The training can last as long as two years or more.

Depending on what state you live in, your training will depend on the requirements that are set forth by your resident state. Each state regulates who can work as emergency medical technicians. The federal government also regulates all of the various states and sets forth a minimum amount of information and training that are required by each state to enforce. This is important, because you do not want to take on any training programs that are not accredited and approved by your state. Getting a certificate from a school that is not approved will get you rejected when it is time to take your state certification and license exam. It is better to choose a school that is approved than to waste a lot of time and money.

Once you have graduated and passed the state examinations, you have a lot of work and employment opportunities. You can find a job with a clinic, hospital, or ambulance company. In addition, you can also be employed for the fire division. You could also become an emergency dispatcher. Also, you could work as a teacher or instructor in a class room setting. The pay range will also depend on where you live. Some states will pay higher salaries to EMTs than others. Usually it starts at around $15 an hour to $35 or more an hour. There is a lot of flexibility with this. 

What Does EMT Training Involve? Keywords: none given

What does EMT training involve? First, you’ve got to have a high school diploma or a GED to get started in the training. Next, you’ll have extensive medical terminology classes, physiology, and learn about medical equipment.

Become an EMT is definitely a good challenge for bright minds with a desire to help people in need. The emergency medical services profession will always need EMTs. It is one career path that shows no signs of downsizing any time soon. For individuals who have always imagined being an EMT, don’t hesitate to get started. Not only will you be helping other people, but it is a career that everyone respects and appreciates.

In order to get started training as an EMT, you have to enter the basic level first. There are different types of lessons that are taken on each level. The first level will require that you learn emergency first aid, do patient assessments, and use defibrillators. Your lessons will usually be combined with written class work and working on an ambulance truck.

Not only will you learn how to cope with cardiac problems, but you will also learn airway devices to help unblock airway passages. You will also know what to do in emergency childbirth cases, as well as maintaining standard tools in the truck. In order to pass the entire course, you will have to be able to finish both written and practical examinations at the state or federal level.

At the intermediate level, you will be getting more extensive instructions. This is called the EMT-Intermediate level. Depending on the state that you live in or the state that you plan to work in, your instruction programs can be anywhere from just thirty additional hours of class work, to three hundred and fifty additional hours.

Throughout the training you will learn new skills on how to give medications, intravenous fluids, immobilizing patients, and pharmacology. The instructions and class room work will build upon the already existing basic emergency medical technician training you’ve received at the first level.

The paramedic is at the most advanced level of emergency medical technicians. At this level, sophisticated clinical expertise is learned. In addition to that, anatomy and physiology are studied at a much more advanced level. The sessions are usually taken in community colleges or vocational schools.

After graduation, you will be awarded a certificate that you can take to your state for the certification examinations. Some of them may require that you complete the NREMT examination first.

After the completion of your EMT training, you will have a number of employment options. You have the opportunity to work in clinics, hospitals, or even private ambulance companies. You may work for the city, for the state or even for the federal government. The pay for emergency medical technicians and paramedics depends on where you live. The average wage starts anywhere from $15/hr to $35/hr. It is an exciting job and can be a very rewarding profession if you enjoy daily challenges. 

they plans open house

The job hunt can be a time consuming task. Preparing resumes, scouring job boards, calling on prospective employers. Universal Careers is helping to bring the job hunt to you.

Universal Careers, a leader in the training and certification of EMT/paramedics, is holding a recruitment open house on January 18, 2011, for EMTs and paramedics.

The organization is working to bring in representatives and recruiters from the database of clients that it has already placed UC graduates into. The open house will allow Emergency Medical Services professionals the opportunity to talk one on one with these companies and organizations in both the public and private sector. The potential attendees include city emergency services, public and private hospitals, schools and care facilities.

Jack Peterson, career development for UC, said, “We are excited about bringing in a large pool of potential employers for EMS professionals to meet with. We already work with several of these groups through Universal Careers' aggressive placement programs, but the open house allows more people to benefit in one large area.”

Since 2005, Universal Careers has been training EMTs to certify in all 50 states. By using experienced paramedics as instructors, and employing hands-on state-of-the-art training in and outside of the classroom, Universal Careers has helped thousands of students certify as EMTs through their intensive course.

With employment needs in both public and private sector jobs, and an expected growth of 9% over the next decade in the EMS field, certified professionals are in demand.

For more information about the open house or to ask about programs offered at Universal Careers, call an admissions representative at (213) 290-4682 or visit the web site at www.universalcareers.org.

Universal Careers is a national leader in EMT and paramedic training and preparation. With customer service offices in Los Angeles, Calif., and a training partner in Fredericksburg, Va., UC is a state-of-the-art provider of training for individuals interested in joining the health care field. Upon successful completion of the Universal Careers EMT Basic course, students will receive additional help in obtaining their EMT Certification which makes them eligible to work with paramedics in every state in the U.S.

Why Is EMT Training Important When It Comes To Paramedic Training? How To Get EMT Certification EMT certification

Having an EMT certification can be a very rewarding and exciting opportunity into the field of emergency medical services. This field allows you to be right in the middle of all the action, helping to save lives of others. The challenges are great, every day is going to be something new and unexpected. You won’t have time to think, and you will need to rely on all of the skills you’ve learned during your training to get you through the day.

So when you’re going to be choosing your training courses to get your EMT certification, you’ll want to be sure that you just don’t choose the cheapest courses available. Bargain hunting and medical technology is never a good combination. Think about the people’s lives that will be in your hands, do you really want to cut corners on your training? Sometimes choosing the cheapest way to EMT certification can backfire and end up costing you in wasted time and money. You want to take enough courses that will prepare you for your EMT certification.

One of the things you’ll want to consider when choosing the right kind of courses for your EMT certification is the length of the courses. There are various lengths to the courses. Some courses can be finished in as little as two to three weeks, while others will take 6 months or more. Most of the programs will be anywhere from 120 to 140 hours. Your classroom time may also be anywhere from 120 hours or more. Although you can take accelerated courses that will be finished in 2 to 4 weeks, you want to give yourself enough time to thoroughly understand the body of information.

Next, you’ll want to evaluate the proper course content. You want to be able to assess, stabilize, and treat the patient while he or she is being transported to the hospital. This is easier said than done, especially when you’re dealing with high stress emergency situations. The key is to be able to deal with them quickly and efficiently. Not only do you want thorough written material, but also hands on learning.

Your hands on learning training will have class time and practical training, to help you get EMT certification. You’ll be prepared for any basic situation that you will encounter as an EMT or paramedic. After you have taken the proper courses, you’ll go on to take your NREMT test. In order to take this test, you’ll have to be certified in CPR. It is a good idea to not only get basic CPR training but also advanced CPR training. In addition, even though you may not be required to take these, you should think about getting certified in IV maintenance, advanced airway, and glucometer.

After you’re done with your EMT training, you’ll be awarded a certificate from your training facility. Next, you’ll take that certificate and all other required documents to the NREMT facility and take your exams. If the training facility does not give you a certificate, then most likely it is not a state-approved and accredited program. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure that wherever you get your training from, that it is state approved, so that you can get y our EMT certification. 

Are There Online Paramedic Schools That Train EMTs? EMT, EMT training

Online EMT training schools are designed to help prepare individuals to work as emergency medical technicians in the event of a medical emergency. There are many different online training programs available, but the main thing you need to remember is that you want one that has qualify programs and has been established for a long time.

The basic level of EMT training will depend on what state you are located in. There are different regulations that are set by each state. Online EMT training schools are available for those who have a full-time job or who for whatever reason find it more practical to take online classes. There are three levels to EMT training, with the most advanced being the paramedic level. Obviously, the more advanced the training, the more future benefits you’ll be able to enjoy.

Online EMT training courses may include audio clips, video clips, text links, website references, and interactive portals to make learning easier. They will teach you medical terminology, CPR, using a defibrillator, basic life support methods, pediatric emergency support, and how to deal with trauma. You’ll be taught how to use sterile techniques, reduce the spread of pathogens and how to deal with violent and unstable patients. In addition, you will also learn how to deal with bleeding wounds, head trauma and bone fractures. In essence, you’ll be equipped to deal with any major medical emergency that you can encounter.

This will also teach you how to use backboards, stretchers, oxygen units, airway devices, and monitors so that you can assure that the patient survives the time between the leaving the scene of the emergency and arriving at the hospital.

While there are many effective schools that provide EMT training, you’ll want to be sure to get with a school that is state accredited. After you’ve completed your training, you may also need to have some field experience and hands-on training. Be sure that you do your proper research and have this clarified before starting your EMT training program.

After you have graduated from your  training program, you will be able to have a wide variety of job opportunities. You can work in a hospital, private practice, or even a private ambulance company. Each state has different regulations for the EMT training courses and what their qualifications would be, so be sure that you check with your state’s regulatory agency before committing to any EMT training programs online or offline.

With the proper  training, you’ll be able to enjoy a career that is recession-proof. Everywhere there are people, there will be medical emergencies. This means you will always have a job available to you. Depending on your level of training, you can also enjoy a good paying job with entry-level positions starting from $25,0000 to $30,000 a year. Obviously, the more training and experience you have in the field, the more money you can enjoy. That’s why you may want to consider getting enough EMT training to qualify as a paramedic, so that you can enjoy even more job opportunities and a higher pay scale. 

Will It Matter If I Choose The Cheapest EMT Training Program? EMT, EMT training

Does it matter if you choose the cheapest EMT training program available? In short, the answer is yes it does. The cheapest does not always mean the best choice.

Finding a good EMT training program is important, if you’re looking to become a medical professional. Does it matter if you choose the cheapest EMT training program? Yes it does. If you do a basic search online for training programs, you’re bound to find thousands of websites available for you. Many of these promise you the moon and stars at dirt cheap prices. One thing you have to learn about this is that bargain hunting and medical technology never go well together. You will have people’s lives in your hands, do you really want to bargain hunt for your  courses? Definitely not!

Also, the cheapest EMT training course could end up costing you much more in wasted time, energy and money, because you’ll have to find another school or course that will prepare you for the state licensing exams. So you’ll want to weigh your options, and while price will be important, the ultimate goal is to find an EMT training school that will prepare you thoroughly for not only the licensing exams, but also for working in the actual profession.

The basic level of EMT training depends on what state you are located in. There are many different regulations that are set by the various states. You’ll most likely be required to have a high school diploma or a GED to get started in your EMT training courses. Your basic level EMT courses will cover things like trauma, cardiac emergencies, bone fractures, pediatric emergency services, first aid, and CPR.

You’ll be learning how to deal with backboards, splints, suction units, and stretchers. Once you graduate  you will need to be licensed in your state. This will include a practical exam and a written portion.

The next level is called the intermediate. This level will require you to study and learn for an additional 30 to 350 hours. You’ll learn advanced skills in using a defibrillator, intravenous fluids, and giving patients medications.

The most advanced  level involves training you to be a paramedic. At this advanced level you will be taught college level courses in anatomy and physiology. The training is conducted on a college campus and can last as long as one to two years. The course work is extensive and you will also need a lot of hands-on training in the field. After you’ve completed this level, you’ll be taking a state licensing examination to be a certified paramedic.

In addition to these qualifications , you’ll also want to be sure that you have a clean background record, good physical condition, excellent hearing and eye sight, and you’re flexible enough to bend down and lift heavy loads. The more training you take the more job opportunities you can enjoy as well as a higher pay scale. Entry-level EMTs can earn as much as $35,000 a year and advanced level EMTs even more. Advanced EMT training can even lead to management or supervisor positions.