If you’re looking for a career in emergency medicine, but don’t think that medical school is the right choice for you – and you would prefer not to be tied down to a single hospital like most nurses and physician assistants, then there are some other options you may want to look at. If you would rather be out in the field working to provide medical help to the people who need it the most, when they need it the most and you’re physically and mentally prepared for the rigors inherent in the job, then a career in the emergency medical services may be right for you. There are several different types of work available in the field and whether you’d prefer to work as an emergency medical technician or a paramedic, the first step is to earn your certification as an EMT by taking one of the EMT training programs offered by vocational schools and community colleges in your area.
EMTs are trained and licensed emergency medical professionals who are responsible for providing life saving medical care on the scene, stabilizing patients and if necessary, transporting them to the closest hospital or trauma center for the medical treatment they require. Emergency medical technicians are often the first people on the scene in accidents and other emergency situations, so the training that they undergo must thoroughly prepare them to cope with any situation where their services may be required by patients in need of medical treatment or transport to medical facilities.
There is a growing demand for certified emergency medical technicians and indeed, the medical professions as a whole. Certified EMTs may be employed by fire and rescue services, police departments, hospitals and other medical facilities as well as ambulance companies, whether private, public or volunteer. The growth in the number of positions for EMTs in the various emergency medical services has been strong and is projected to continue for the foreseeable future.
The requirements for becoming an EMT are relatively straightforward. In order to take an EMT training course, you need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent as well as a certain level of physical fitness since you will need to perform a significant amount of lifting and bending in the course of your duties as an emergency medical technician. Naturally, you will also need to complete a course from an accredited school, after which the next step is to take the emergency medical technician certification exam in your state to qualify for employment as an EMT.
There are different levels of EMT certification, with the types of treatment you’ll be licensed to provide as well as your earning potential increasing with your level of professional education, experience and skill in the field. Once you receive your basic EMT training, you will be able to take more advanced courses to increase your skill set and your value to fire departments and other potential employers. Eventually, if you choose, you can complete EMT training programs to receive your certification as a paramedic and expand your employment options in the emergency medical services field.