While there are many advantages of being an EMT, such as the personal satisfaction of helping others on a daily basis, there are a number of risks that you should be aware of. After all, this is a simple fact of life; with most jobs, there generally exist some negative aspects. For example, many computer engineers suffer from back problems due to the fact that they are sitting for extended periods of time. Let’s examine what the risks of being an EMT are.

Unhealthy Eating and Sleeping Patterns

Due to the fact that EMTs often work very lengthy hours, it is easy for them to break away from healthy eating and sleeping habbits, and adopt unhealthy eating and sleeping patterns. When one is working long, long hours, they will evidently have less time to sleep. Furthermore, they will also have less time to prepare healthy meals regularly, thus they will often resort to fast food and other foods that are quick to make (and by a general rule of thumb, if it’s quick to make, it’s probably not all that healthy for you). Additionally, studies show that many EMTs work second jobs, which leaves even more time to sleep adequately and prepare healthy meals.

Psychological Trauma

Unfortunately, on a day to day basis, EMTs have to witness gruesome scenes; ones involving critical injuries, which are often too much for the human eye to bare. When one is exposed to such trauma day after day, it can lead to psychological problems and forms of depression. EMTs are basically seeing people during some of the worst times of their lives, and repeated exposure to this can certainly get to their head. One of the best things that an EMT can due to minimize this psychological damage is to talk to someone about your work regularly. The mistake many EMTs make is keeping their emotions bottled in, until a point where it just becomes too much to handle. Talking to someone you trust regularly can certainly help in dealing with the trauma.

Exposure to Illnesses

EMTs are often in contact with people who are ill, and carrying contagious diseases. It is extremely important EMTs to remain sanitary, use the proper medical equipment, wash their hands regularly, and to have regular check ups. Most states require EMTs to have a blood test taken once every two years, as there have been cases where EMTs were infected with Hepatatis C, likely from exposure to others on the job.

Obesity and High Blood Pressure

Studies also show that a large number of EMTs suffer from obesity. One must keep in mind that obesity and high blood pressure are very closely interwined. As a result, with such higher numbers of EMTs suffering from obesity, their chances of suffering from high blood pressure increase dramatically. This somewhat ties into the fact that EMTs work very long shifts, and often second jobs, leaving them with no time for physical exercise to stay in shape.

Excess Noise

EMTs are often subject to extremely loud noises, such as the ambulance sirens. Studies show that EMTs are subjected to noises between 65 and 83 dBA. This number is well above the federal authorized level.

In recent years, there has been an increased demand for EMT volunteers. Volunteering as an EMT can prove to be extremely rewarding and self-fulfilling, for a number of reasons, but mainly due to the fact that you will be helping people and saving lives on a regular basis. Due to the fact that those of the baby boomer generation in the United States are reaching their senior years, more and more positions for volunteers in the health care and emergency services field are opening up. Evidently, when volunteer EMT positions are in demand, there will also be a demand for paid EMTs. Shortly put, taking a volunteer position as an emergency medical technician could turn into a paid job down the road, either as a basic level EMT, or an advanced paramedic.

There are a number of ways to search for volunteer EMT positions in your vicinity, and with the internet so widely accessible nowadays, it has never been easier. Websites such as VolunteerMatch.org have made it easy for people to find volunteer opportunities in their neighborhood and its vicinity. If you’re interested in finding a volunteer position, that would certainly be a good place to begin your search.

Why Volunteer as an EMT?

Well, in addition from the satisfaction of giving back to the community, there are a number of other reasons that may incline you to volunteer as an EMT. If you’re planning to work in the medical and/or healthcare field in the future, EMT volunteer experience will certainly cause your resume to stand out in the future. Unfortunately, the economy is difficult, and regardless of what you have studied, finding a job can be difficult nowadays. As the economy begins to recover and employers start hiring, what will make you stand out from the other applicants? Chances are, most others will have simply remained unemployed and not taken part in any sort of volunteer work. But you, on the other hand, have hours of EMT volunteer experience, and this is sure to make you stand out in comparison to the other applicants.

Unfortunately, as the title of the position states, these are volunteer positions. The downside? No monetary compensation for your dedication and hard work, which can be disappointing. As a result, many decide to only volunteer a couple of hours a week, as they are unable to sacrifice paid work to volunteer for free (which is completely understandable). Even volunteering for a couple of hours as a week as an EMT is a noteworthy accomplishment.

In order to work as a volunteer EMT, you will need to complete basic level EMT training. The majority of community colleges do offer these programs. This is absolutely mandatory in order to be able to volunteer as an EMT. Once you’ve completed the training program, you will need to complete the certification exam. Most states nowadays have begun using the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) Exam. The NREMT Exam is a standardized exam, and given you prepare adequately and pay attention during the training program, passing this exam and becoming certified should be fairly easy.

In addition to using online resources such as VolunteerMatch.org to find EMT volunteer positions, you can contact local hospitals, fire departments, and private ambulance agencies. They will be able to tell you whether or not there are currently any volunteer openings at the moment.

For those who are not just ready to take the plunge and enroll in an EMT training program, a viable option is to enroll in first responder training. There are a number of reasons first responder training programs were first enacated in the United States. Firslty, the Red Cross only provided 8 hours of training, while an average EMT-B training course provided over 160 hours of training. Ultimately, it was decided that there was too big of a difference. Secondly, the government determined that smaller communities did not have the budget for everyone to enroll in a full-fledged EMT training course. As a result, first responder training was first offered in the 1990’s, and the program generally took anywhere from 30 to 60 hours to be completed. Once completed, individuals would be recognized as certified first responders.

Individuals who enroll in a first responder training program and complete it become official first responders. A first responder is not an EMT or a Paramedic, but they are permitted to aid EMTs and Paramedics in various ways. For example, first responders are allowed to assist in a childbirth, and are also allowed to provide first aid for minor injuries. Additionally, first responders are permitted to transport patients to a local hospital or healthcare facility. First responders are trained in areas such as CPR and first aid, how to apply a splint, control bleeding, contact emergency services, and how to save patients in critical condition. These are just some of the skills that first responder training will teach individuals. Courses will also teach students how to monitor vital signs, perform advanced splinting, and also how to use automatic external defibrillators.

First Responder Training Curriculum

Everything that is taught in certified first responder training is taught in EMT or Paramedic programs. Everyone who works in the emergency services field has been taught the same skills students learn in first responder training. In this type of program though, students are simply learning the basics, and do not go in depth as they would if they were enrolled in an EMT or Paramedic training program. As the name of the position implies (First Responder), the purpose is to prepare individuals in case they are ever the first at the scene of an emergency. Those who enroll in first responder programs usually work in either an area where emergency services are not very close, and in the case of emergency, they will likely be the first on the scene. People in the following occupations have generally enrolled in and completed a certified first responder training program:

• Bus Drivers
• Childcare
• Coaches
• Pilots/Flight Attendants
• Security Guards
• Teachers
• Travel Guides
• Trainers

If you feel that you work in a field where at some time you may be the first at the scene of an emergency, enrolling in a first responder training program is a good idea. The courses, as mentioned previously, are quite short, yet can provide you with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in saving lives in the most critical moments.

At this point, chances are, you are quite confident that you want to pursue the path of becoming an EMT. After all, that’s why you’re here, right? In that case, it’s important that you know that there are a number of EMT certification requirements you must meet in order to be eligible to enroll in EMT training and ultimately become certified. Now, for starters, it’s important that you know that the EMT requirements do vary from state to state, so those listed below are simply the general guidelines that are found in MOST states. For a compressive list of the EMT requirements in each state within the United States, you can visit our EMT Training State Requirements page.

EMT Requirements:

• Must be 18 years old
• Must pass a drug test
• Must pass a criminal background check (generally, misdemeanors do not bar an individual from becoming an EMT)
• Must have immunization records (hepatitis B, measles, mumps, varicella, tetanus)
• Cannot suffer from any mental illnesses that could possibly obstruct EMT responsibilities
• Must be physically fit
• Must have a high school diploma or a GED
• Successfully finish an approved EMT-B (EMT Basic) class
• Pass the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician) exam

As we mentioned, EMT certification requirements can vary from state to state. For example, there are a few states that only require the individual to be 16 years of age (although most states require the individual to be 18). So the EMT age requirements, though 18 in most states, may be lower in your state. As far as the EMT education requirements, they also can vary from state to state. But as a general rule of thumb, the EMT education requirements in most states are that you must either have a high school diploma or a GED (General Education Diploma).

The list above should only be a rough guideline, and you should certainly visit the following page on our website to find a list of all the EMT certification requirements in your state:

EMT State Requirements

For those who have considered enrolling in an EMT training course and pursuing their dream career as an emergency medical technician, it is important to note that the requirements to enroll and to become a certified EMT do vary from state to state. The federal government presently has set the standards for EMT training and EMT certification, but has not mandated states to adopt their standards. Thus, at the moment, only 46 states have adopted the NREMT standards, which is the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, set by the federal government. One must also keep in mind that there are various levels of EMT certification, and this does not mean that 46 states have the same requirements at all levels (Basic, Intermediate, Paramedic). It simply means that they have followed the NREMT standards in at least one level of EMT certification.

Our goal at EMT Training Spot is to assist those who are interested in pursuing a  career as an EMT. All the lingo and requirements can often be overwhelming, and we strive to make the journey as easy as possible for you.

With that in mind, it’s important to note that there are constantly changes being made in the EMT field, both as far as requirements, career outlook, and so forth. At EMT Training Spot, we work hard to stay in the loop and bring the latest information to our readers.

Based on our experience of the requirements from state to state, the differences in requirements are quite miniscule, but have to be noted and taken into account nonetheless. These small differences can make the difference in successfully becoming certified EMT, or even being permitted to enroll in an EMT training program in your state.

We have dedicated a section of our website to listing the different state requirements for EMTs. We are currently working on developing the list to cover all of the states, and will also continue to update the others if any changes do occur.

In recent years, the American economy has taken a turn for the worst, and in the midst of the recession, people are finding that they have no choice other than to often switch to a different career. This is often the result of job prospects in their current career field being minimal to nonexistent, or simply because the pay in their current industry isn’t enough to live the type of lifestyle they desire. Now, changing a career is no easy task, and for most, it is almost impossible to begin college again, begin a new major, and so forth. For those who decide to change up their career and become an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), accelerated EMT training might just be the best option. We are going to take a closer look at the different phases of accelerated EMT training courses to better prepare you.

Levels of Accelerated EMT Training

Accelerated EMT-B Training

The first stage of accelerated EMT training is the EMT-B level, where instructors will teach lessons on the basics, which often include:

• How to recognize various symptoms and properly diagnose patient(s)
• Various methods to treat patients on the scene
• Airway management
• Administering oxygen, medications, etc..
• CPR, Defibrillation, and other basic techniques

The main purpose of the Accelerated EMT-B Training level is basically to learn how to properly stabilize individuals when they are called to the scene of an emergency.

Though the requirements for EMT training vary from state to state, in most accelerated EMT-B training courses, students will be required to complete a total of 120 hours. Each class is roughly 3 hours, and is over the duration of a month and a half to two months. Again, this should just be taken as a general guideline, as accelerated EMT-B training requirements are different from one state to another.

Accelerated EMT-I Training

This is the second stage of accelerated EMT training, and goes into more advanced techniqiues which include emergency care procedures and trauma care methods. Students will learn more advanced techniques such as airway management, how to use a manual defibrillator, and how to administer arterial fluids to patients. Shortly put, students in the accelerated EMT-I course will learn in detail the various methods of providing life support to patients who are suffering from trauma, both at scene of the incident, and while they are being moved to an medical center.

Accelerated Paramedic Training

There are many who argue that accelerated paramedic training courses are insufficient in educating EMTs, due to the nature of the courses being “accelerated”, and the course content being quite advanced. Regardless, accelerated paramedic training courses do exist, and are likely available in your city, or a neighboring city. The course will focus on the most serious of emergency and trauma situations. Furthermore, accelerated paramedic training courses are more “hands on” than the two previous accelerated EMT training courses. Students will be taught and shown how to deal with emergency scenarios, which is not limited to, but includes transporting patients to an emergency center while stabilizing them.

Techniques that will be taught in an accelerated paramedic training course will also include:

• Advanced Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Advanced defibrillation
• Bandaging and tourniquet methods
• Blood loss management
• Electrocardiology
• IV administration
• Pharmacological training
• Spinal immobilization
• Splint placement
• Trauma assessment

Similar to how the EMT training requirements vary from state to state, the requirements needed to successfully complete an accelerated paramedic course are different from one state in another. In most states though, the training at this level will be in the range of 130 to 150 hours.

Due to the fact that accelerated programs are notably shorter than regular training programs, they are fairly demanding, and it is important to be thoroughly prepared. If time is not an issue, it is recommended that to you join a regular EMT training course, as many find it difficult to master the skill set required to be an EMT within the “rushed” accelerated programs.

There’s no question that our country, our states, and our counties will be in need of EMTs; no doubt about that. It’s simply a career that does not seem to be slowing down, and very likely won’t. As children, many dream of being those heroes who save that injured old lady, or the unconscious young boy. Dream no longer, because as an EMT, you can be that hero. After all, one could argue that nothing is as fulfilling as helping others in their most critical moments.

The EMT state requirements do vary, but every single state does have one requirement in common; in order to enroll in an EMT training course, you must hold at least a high school degree, or the equivalent. Additionally, most states have three levels of EMTs, which include Basic EMT, Intermediate EMT, and finally, Paramedics. These are in order of least training required, to the most training required. Each level has its own specific certification requirements.

As a Basic EMT, students will be taught skills that are utilized in emergency situations. These skills can include how to evaluate a patient, how to deal with cardiac arrest, giving birth to children, and how to deal with patients who are unconscious and not breathing. An EMT training course at the basic level will also teach students about any equipment they may need to use on the job, and the equipment is properly utilized. Once the training course has been completed, students will be eligible to take an exam which includes two portions; a written and practical section. Students must receive a passing grade on both portions of the test in order to receive their certification.

Over time, students may decide that they want to take their career to the next level. In such cases, they will likely want to shoot for becoming an Intermediate level EMT. At the intermediate level, the training course content varies greatly state by state. Some states require as little as 20 hours of training, while others require upwards of 250 hours. Training at this level is obviously more advanced than the basic levels, and students will deal more with medications, IVs, and so forth.

At the highest level of EMTs are paramedics. Similar to Intermediate EMTs, the training requirements vary greatly state by state. Needless to say, the training required to become a certified Paramedic is more in-depth than the training required to become a basic or intermediate level EMT. Feel free to read the state requirements at our EMT State Requirements page.

Regardless of what level of EMT training you complete, upon finishing your training program, career choices are fairly abundant. Common jobs for those who are EMT certified include public and private ambulances, and other government level jobs. As far as salary goes, it varies from one state to another, and also the individual’s level of certification and year of work experience. California and New York are known have the highest paid EMTs in the United States. The average salary of EMTs in the United states in 2009 was roughly $13.90 per hour, with some making slightly less, and others making far more. At the highest end, EMTs can earn above $80,000 in a single year.