how hard is it to become an emt?

Let me start off by explaining the different levels of EMT. These can and do vary from state to state, because some states would rather give their own names to the levels, but mostly they correspond to this:

EMT-B (Basic). This is the minimum that you need to work on an ambulance. With this certification, you will be paired on the ambulance with a EMT-P (Paramedic), who will get to do most of the patient care, or you may wind up paired with another EMT-B, and get sent out on basic calls and non-emergency transfers of bedbound patients all day. The class for this level lasts about two or three months, and will teach you basic life support procedures. You won’t get to give many medications, start IVs, read a cardiac monitor, or do any other advanced procedures, but you will do basic, noninvasive stuff (which is the stuff that keeps most patients alive, anyways!).

EMT-I (Intermediate). This is where it can get confusing, because a few states have taken the Intermediate level and broken it into a couple different levels. Intermediates aren’t used much anymore, except in rural areas where it’s hard to staff enough paramedics. Once you have been a Basic for a few months, you can take the Intermediate class, or you can skip it and go right to the Paramedic classes. The Intermediate class lasts for a month or two, and teaches you to start IV’s and give some IV medications. Some states will let you intubate, too.

EMT-P (Paramedic). This is the final level, and represents the highest level of prehospital care that you are going to find in most places. It takes 1 1/2 to 2 years to become a paramedic, depending on whether you just take the certificate class, or opt for the associate’s degree. In additon to the classwork, you will have to complete several hundred hours of clinical rotations at local hospitals and ambulance companies. Paramedics get to start IV’s, give as many as 50 different medications, intubate, defibrillate, interpret cardiac monitors, and many other things.

Most people are referring to paramedics when they say “medic”, and when they say EMT, they are usually talking about the EMT Basic, although not always, since technically, we are all EMT’s (just different levels).

The Paramedic course is fairly challenging…lots of stuff to learn in a relatively short while. Physically, it’s challenging, too. Lots of patients are fairly heavy, and many times, the only people out there will be you and your partner. Emotionally, it can be rather difficult, as you will see things that you’d rather not see (and can’t unsee).

However, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties (for me, at least). I love being able to help people, whether it’s a challenging procedure that they need, or simply a friendly face and a smile.

If this whole field is new to you, I’d recommend that you start off as an EMT-Basic (it’s a prerequisite for the Paramedic program, anyways) and work or volunteer as an EMT for a few months. Make sure this is for you, before you invest two years of time, and a fair amount of money on your paramedic training. Having some experience as an EMT-Basic will also give you an edge in paramedic school.

Hope this helps!

Hey! So you’re considering becoming an EMT? That’s Awesome!! Ok… So EMT-B school is only a semester long, but it can actually be a very difficult course for alot of people. especially if you don’t have any knowledge in medicine. But if you try hard then you will for sure be able to make it through. So here’s an overall summary of what you’ll be learning… Basic Anatomy and Physiology(How the body works, disease process, medical terminology, etc…) you will learn of course taking vital signs, CPR, ventilation, bleeding control, how to give certain Basic level drugs(Oxygen, Aspirin, Nitro, etc…) you will be trained on how and when to use Basic airway devices(OPA, NPA, LMA, Combi-Tube, King Airways, and Q Airways) how to write reports, etc… The Most important thing that you will be learning is assessments of your patients, and knowing exactly what’s wrong with them, and how to manage them just after a 60 second assessment. Most of this will actually come with your clinicals, and actual experience working in the field. But if there is one thing that should be studied more than the rest, it should most definately be your patient assessments. And that’s about it… i’m sure i’m forgetting something, but you will just have to find out when you get in there. But I hope this helps! Good Luck out there! Hope you enjoy it!

RE:
how hard is it to become an emt?
I am very interersted in becoming a medic but wondering how hard it is and what I need to get started