Getting Validated as EMT

For contrast purposes, most people go their entire careers without making life-and-death decisions while at work. Most emergency medical technicians (EMTs) do it many times in a span of one day every working day of their lives.  \

By profession, EMTs are first responders in the event of medical emergencies. They are required to respond to any medical emergency, the most common of which includes car accidents, childbirth, violent traumas, heart attacks and accidents.                                        

The EMTs are usually dispatched by emergency operators. On arriving on the scene, they work with the other emergency personnel (fire fighters or police) to stabilize and transport patients to hospitals best equipped to treat the patients.

Duties and responsibilities

The emergency medical technicians (EMTs) provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation l and emergency patients who access the emergency medical systems (EMS).

These professionals have the basic knowledge and skills needed to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life-threatening emergencies.

They function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system under medical oversight. The EMTs perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found in an ambulance. In short, they form the critical link between the scene of an emergency and the health care system.

Becoming an EMT

A candidate who wants to become an EMT would need first of all a high school diploma or a GED and formal emergency training. Currently, there are three levels of EMT certification.

The EMT-basic covers a variety of different tasks that include dealing with fractures, bleeding, cardiac emergencies and respiratory emergencies. In order to complete the basic training, the applicant must need to pass the written and practical exams given by the state.

The EMT-intermediate training necessitates the basic training and the addition of 30 to 350 training hours. There is also need to learn to administer intravenous fluids, some medications and be able to manage more advanced equipment.

Paramedic is the highest level of training. The paramedics are trained, usually at community colleges, in anatomy and physiology. In some cases, the paramedics are awarded associate degrees for their training.

They finish the program prepared to take the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) to finally become a licensed paramedic.

Certification

For applicants who seek the EMT certification with the nationwide scope, they would need to meet the following requirements.

They need to successfully complete a state-approved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course that meets or exceeds the standards set by the National Emergency Medical Service Education for EMTs.

The candidates must also complete the course within the past two years and the course Program Director must verify successful course completion on the National Registry website.

Likewise, the applicant must have a current CPR-BLS for “healthcare provider” or some equivalent credentials. He must also successfully complete the exams for the National Registry cognitive (knowledge) and a state-approved psychomotor (skills).

   

The passed portions of the cognitive and psychomotor exams remain valid within 24 months afterwards, which depends on whether all the other entry requirements have been met.