Tuesday, 14 June 2011

What Is The Purpose Of EMT Certification



EMT certification enables the emergency medical technician to work legally in his or her own state. This certification requires extensive training for the applications. The goal is to verify that those individuals who have entered the emergency medical technician profession have received proper training and skills.

The training methods cover a wide variety of topics. These topics involve every area of emergency medical services. It does not matter if the individual is entering the basic level of emergency medical technician, intermediate levels, or the paramedic level, there are very extensive medical courses offered for all levels.

At the basic level, a high school diploma or GED will be required to start formal training. The basic level of emergency medical technician is known as the EMT-Basic. At this level, basic skills are taught. These include managing trauma, airway devices, cardiac emergencies, childbirth, and patient assessment. The basic level emergency medical technician training will be a combination of class work and practical training with a hospital or ambulance service. Basic level emergency workers will be trained in dealing with emergency medical equipment, such as suction units, backboards, oxygen administration, and stretchers. Once an individual has graduated from the EMT-Basic training programs, he or she must pass a written examination that is administered by the state. This examination also has a practical component to it as well.

The next level is known as the EMT-Intermediate. Depending on what state you live in, you will need additional training. There are two intermediate categories involved. One is known as the Intermediate 1985 and the other is Intermediate 1999. Approximately 30 to 350 additional hours of training are required on these levels. You will be taught advanced skills involving the use of intravenous fluids, airway devices and medications.

The most advanced level of emergency medical technician training is known as paramedic. At this paramedic level, you will be taught training in physiology and anatomy. This kind of training is conducted in community colleges and technical schools. You may have to get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paramedic training. The programs can take up to two years to complete. This kind of education will prepare you to take the NREMT examination. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is a federal agency in place to regulate all paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Thorough and extensive course work is involved on this level, along with clinical and field experience.

All 50 states require emergency medical technicians to be licensed. The titles and levels vary for each particular state. In most states, certification is administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Some states do have their own system of certification, although they usually provide you with the option of taking your examination through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. In addition to that, most states require licensure renewal every two to three years. Even after having graduated, you may still be required by your employer to take refresher courses throughout your working career. Some states also restrict licensure based on an individual’s criminal history. Among other qualifications, emergency medical technicians need to be emotionally stable. They need to have good agility, top physical condition, and dexterity. You must be able to lift and carry heavy loads, as you will be lifting patients on to a stretcher every day. You also need to have good eyesight or corrective lenses. In addition, you may be submitted to a criminal background check.

Paramedics have more job opportunities than basic level emergency medical technicians. They can become operations managers, supervisors, or executive directors of emergency medical services. Some even move on to become instructors in the field. Others become physician assistants or even dispatchers. The possibilities are endless for you once you have the right EMT training. 

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