If helping save lives is the job for you then perhaps you are considering becoming an EMT. EMT stands for Emergency Medical Technician and these are individuals who are trained to provide emergency care including ambulance services. Because of this, an EMT is often the first on the scene for situations such as car accidents, gunshot wounds, drowning, child birth, and heart attacks, so to be an EMT you have to have a strong stomach at all times and be able to perform extremely well under pressure.
After arriving on the scene, an EMT must assess the situation and when necessary, transport individuals to the hospital where the EMT will convey observations to the staff and help transport the patient to emergency facilities. Many find that doing their part to help save lives is a great way to earn a living and discover being an EMT is a very rewarding career. Sound good? Then how exactly do you become an EMT?
There are several steps you will have to perform before you become an EMT. These steps include:
1. Education: Before you even begin to consider your career as an EMT, you must first finish high school. In order to qualify to become an EMT an individual has to have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
2. Training: All 50 States require training to become an EMT. This training is done usually at your local Community College and generally takes about three months to complete. Upon completion you will be awarded a certification of Registered EMT Basic. This certification is usually required to be updated every two years. This training is also a prerequisite for further certification that can be acquired. The next step in training will take you to the status of Intermediate EMT and you can then go all the way up to EMT Paramedic. The higher your qualifications, the more emergency care you will be able to provide.
3. Secure a job: EMTs can be employed in several different ways. You can get on with a fire department, work for a specific hospital, or work for a private ambulance service. The hours and pay will vary and jobs are typically handed out first to those who have acquired the more advanced title of Intermediate EMT or EMT Paramedic. The reason for this is that more and more people are demanding a higher level of care before arriving at the hospital.
Like any other profession, the higher educated you are the more you will earn. This holds true for EMTs as well. So even if you secure a job after your basic training, don’t stop there. Continue to move climb the EMT latter and your pay will continue to climb as well. Additionally you will be able to help individuals on a greater level with each advancement.
While being an EMT is an exciting business at times, it is also one with great rewards. Helping save lives and providing life saving medical attention for individuals on their way to the hospital can be an unbelievable and unbeatable feeling.
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