EMT Training Courses | EMT Training Spot

EMT Training Online

Nowadays, many live hectic lifestyles; other work commitments, family commitments, and the list just goes on. As a result, it can often be difficult for those individuals to pursue the path one must go down to become an EMT. Thankfully, with the technology available nowadays, EMT training online has made things a lot easier for those with prior commitments and very busy schedules. As oppose to traditional online courses (such as community college courses), EMT training online will ultimately require you to complete your “practical” hours, which is basically the hands-on section of online EMT programs, and with good reason. The hands-on section of the course (sometimes referred to as the “clinical” portion) is to ensure students are thoroughly prepared for the exam they will need to take, which in most states is the NREMT exam.

EMT Training Online by State

Keep in mind, online EMT programs are fairly new. In fact, EMT training online has only been around for a couple of years, at most. As a result, only a few states currently allow online EMT programs. These states include the following (note that this list will likely change in the near future):

Nevada
Maryland
Kansas
Iowa
Indiana
Idaho

There are other states that may accept online EMT programs, but the only way to verify this is to contact your
local EMS Bureau, or the employer you plan to work for in the future.

Currently, there are four states who have explicitly stated that they do not accept any online EMT programs. These states that do not accept EMT online classes include:

Alabama
Pennsylvania
Virginia
West Virginia

Prior to signing up for any online EMT course, you need to educate yourself in regards to your states EMT training requirements. Unfortunately, due to the fact that only 6 states explicitly allow EMT classes online, and 4 states do not, residents of the remaining states are often left confused. For residents of any of the remaining states, again, your best bet is to contact your local EMS bureau. A common mistake is to sign up for an EMT online course, complete it, only to find out later that the course is NOT accredited, and the individual must retake the training course at an accredited institution.

The Disadvantages of Taking an Online EMT Course

Well, needless to say, the first downside of taking EMT classes online is that you do not get the chance to communicate with the instructor face to face. Many people learn better when they are instructed. For those people, enrolling in an online EMT program is probably not the best idea. But for those who learn better on their own, a online course may actually be a great idea. Although you will be able to communicate with your instructor via telephone, email, and other modern forms of communication, it is hard to compare with face to face communication. For example, in a classroom, you are able to ask any questions you have on the spot. But with an online course, you will usually have to wait till the instructor receives your email, which can often be frustrating and leave you confused.

Another downside of taking your EMT training course online is that you do not get to communicate as easily with classmates. It’s often very beneficial to create study groups, and in a classroom environment, creating study groups is quite easy. Nonetheless, for those of you who have chosen to take the online route, no worries, as again, technology has made it quite easy to communicate with others (for example, you can study with classmates via Skype).

When we are dealing with online EMT programs, we have to keep in mind that students get very little practical work (aside from the short clinical section of the course at the end, which is generally 10 hours worth). For classes that are instructed in a classroom, students will likely have access to mannequins to practice techniques learned. Obviously, in an online course, this is not possible.

If you want to take EMT classes online, you have to be a very organized, dedicated, and a focused individual. Don’t let the downsides listed above scare you away from taking an online course. Online courses are a great choice for people with busy lifestyles, and given you put in the time, you can learn just as much as you would in a classroom!

Best EMT Training Courses

The number of Americans pursuing a career as an Emergency Medical Technician have gone up significantly in the past few years, and appear to have no plans of slowing down. With sluggish economy at hand, many are searching for different careers to pursue, but unfortunately, are either unable to afford it, or simply don’t have time to begin pursuing a degree which generally takes four or more years. Additionally, there are those who may have also wanted to pursue a career as an EMT, and have just completed high school and are now prepared to begin the journey. A common obstacle for many is weeding through the abundant number of EMT training courses available, and picking the one that’s right for you.

EMT State Requirements

Contrary to popular belief, the EMT requirements DO vary from state to state. The first you’ll want to do is be aware of the EMT state requirements where you live so you can plan your path accordingly. Some states require that you pass a national exam, while others don’t. Additionally, many states have their own unique specific requirements, such as the number of training hours you must complete prior to becoming certified. Certain states also have different levels of EMT certification. Read up on what it takes to be an EMT in your state so you are aware; it’ll make the journey a lot smoother.

Local Community Colleges and Higher Education Institutions

Many community colleges offer EMT training courses at a very affordable cost. Universities are also known to offer courses, but less frequently. Visiting an educational institution and picking up a course catalogue is a great first step. Course catalogues will generally outline course offerings throughout the year, prerequisites, length of the program, and so forth. In the case that you’re unable to find the answers to your questions in the catalogue or through the institutions website, your best bet would be to get in touch with admissions at the college or university.

Begin compiling a list of any local programs that may be of interest to you and fit into the days/hours you’re available. Try to come up with a list of at least 5 programs before beginning to narrow down and dig deeper into the specific programs.

Hospitals

Though it is less common, there are some hospitals that offer EMT training courses. You can either visit their website, or give them a call to ask if they offer any courses. Many EMT grads report that the costs of training courses through hospitals are far less than those through a community college, university, or private institution. Keep track of any hospitals that offer a program that may be of interest to you, so you can refer to them again before making your final decision.

Online Courses

With the online education growing more and more popular, a number of private and public institutions have begun providing online EMT training courses. Now, the important thing is that you must ensure that the online program you’re looking at it is accredited in your state. It is ultimately the state which has decided which programs are accredited, and which are not. In most states, a call or visit to your states Department of Social and Health Services will likely reveal the answer to your questions.

EMT training is an education, and that’s exactly how you should look at it. When looking for a training program, you need to keep in mind that the quality of education will vary from program to program. Due diligence and research on your end is essential. Do thorough research of any training programs that are of interest to you prior to making any commitments.