Tuesday, 14 June 2011

Becoming An EMT - Is It Possible?



Being an emergency medical technician or EMT does not always mean just driving an ambulance truck. Have you been thinking of becoming an emergency medical technician? There are few key points you should keep in mind when you’re considering becoming an emergency worker. In many ways, becoming an emergency professional is a lot like becoming anything else. You will need extensive training. You will have to take numerous classes in medical terminology for starters.

There are various levels of becoming an medical emergency worker. The first level is known as EMT-Basic. In order to start at this level, you will need a high school diploma or a GED. After that you will be taking course work that emphasize skills in trauma, cardiac emergencies, patient assessment, and managing respiratory problems. Your courses will also be combined with time on an ambulance truck and in an emergency department. You will also receive instruction in dealing with airway obstructions, fractures, cardiac arrest, and emergency childbirth.

You’ll learn how to use and maintain emergency room equipment and other necessary medical tools. You’ll be using backboards, oxygen delivery units, splints, and suction devices. Once you have graduated from an EMT-Basic level training program, you will need to pass a written and practical examination that will be given to you by the state.

The next level is known as the intermediate level. At the intermediate level you will be required to take anywhere from 30 to 350 additional class hours. At this level you will gain more advanced skills. You will also need to be certified in using intravenous fluids and monitor machines. The amount of hours that are required for you at this level will depend on the state that you live in. Some states require more than others.

The most advanced level of emergency medical technician training is known as paramedic. At this level you will receive training in physiology, anatomy, and learning how to operate medical equipment. The training will be conducted at a technical school or a community college. The programs can take anywhere from two to three years to complete. This kind of education will prepare you to take the NREMT. This is an exam that is required at the state level before you can legally work as a paramedic. Clinical field work and related coursework will still be required, even after you graduate.

All 50 states require emergency medical technician and paramedics to be licensed before they can legally work. The levels and titles will vary, depending on your location. In most states, certification by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is acceptable, while other states give you exams directly. Also, in most states licensure renewal is approximately every two or three years. Even after having been licensed, you may still be required to take refresher courses and continuing education courses.

The nature of the work is challenging and stressful. Paramedics and EMTs are usually dispatched by a 911 operator. Once they arrive on the scene, they may work hand in hand with police officers and fire fighters. They assess the nature of the patient’s condition and try to determine whether or not the patient has any pre existing medical problems or issues. Through following guidelines and rules, paramedics and emergency medical technicians provide emergency care to the patient.

They also provide transportation to a hospital or a medical facility. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics work to provide emergency medical services under the guidance of a physician or doctor. The job outlook for paramedics and EMTs is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations throughout 2019. The prospects for employment should be especially good in cities with private ambulance companies. 

No comments:

Post a Comment