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Lots of folks wonder what education they need to have the chance to find a career as an EMT. The answer depends on several different factors. Governmental agencies like the Department of Transportation (US DOT) and the National Standard Curricula (NSC) have developed training standards that many states include into their training requirements. Most importantly, individual states are in charge of creating the rules and guidelines when it comes to official certification or licensure in their state. Every state determines what training courses you need, who is certified to teach you, what skills you need to pass, what tests you have to take, where you are able to take them, what applications you need to hand in, and how much money you'll need to pay in fees. Step 1 - Identify Your State Requirements. Your state ought to have most of the important information you need on their website, and some sites are more effective than others. You'll need to do a little homework to figure out exactly what you need to do. Many states have specific training sites or class calendars listed that you can peruse to see what's readily available in your area. Being physically fit is a necessity for EMT certification. Victims may need to be lifted or carried for you to transport them. An EMT needs to have the capacity to lift or carry 120 lbs. You'll also be climbing flights of stairs with heavy equipment, so if needed, you can start hitting the workout room or run the stairs at a nearby sports field in order to get ready. EMTs are regularly exposed to sick people and it may be crucial for you to obtain some additional immunizations to protect your health and well-being. Typical vaccinations required are Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis. If you've already got some or all of these vaccinations, be prepared to show proof of immunization and the date you got them. Certain states require EMTs to have an internship with an EMS service before getting licensed. If this is a requirement in your area, get in touch with your state Emergency Medical Services office to see how you can get involved. All states require EMTs to have either a high school diploma or a GED. If you don't have either, don't let that stop you. Contact your local community college or high school to find out more about obtaining your GED. The majority of states require that EMTs be at least 18 years old, although some states permit as young as 16 year olds to be certified, but only with written parental consent. Additionally, you may have to pass a background check and/or drug testing. Some states even require fingerprints to be submitted. Step 2 - Academic Planning. Some states provide training through their sanctioned courses, others permit colleges and technical schools to train EMTs. One more option is online courses or even courses where you go and stay at a facility for a few weeks and get your training program completeded in a more fast-paced manor. You may be able to get an Associate's Degree in Emergency Medical Technology and a degree often results in better starting pay. If you're unsure about a training program, see if you can get in touch with former graduates and see what they have to say about the training. Ask the students how it prepared them for the EMT certification exams. You'll need to decide what is best for your circumstances and your pocketbook. It's always a great idea to educate yourself on EMT occupation statistics as soon you determine you're interested in becoming an EMT. Job markets are different from one state to another and it's important to consider how average pay can vary, too. Keep in mind that if you're looking at job boards now, chances are that by the time you're ready for a job those openings will probably be occupied. Overall, healthcare is a growing field due to the care needed for the baby boomer generation. Try to find trends in an area that indicate a growing job market, like new developments or new hospitals being constructed. Take some time to get certified in CPR and perhaps take a first aid course. You can contact your local Red Cross to find out more information. You can also volunteer at a hospital or fire department to get some experience in the type of environment you'll be working in. This may help you set useful goals for your career path. Step 3 - Study. Most EMT classes are divided into a lecture and laboratory. Your teacher will review tips on how you can succeed, but a good rule to follow is for every one hour you spend in class, you ought to spend two hours studying at home in preparation. What you learn in class is what you'll be tested on. Typically, the tests are an out of pocket expenditure. Students often have multiple attempts, but you may have to pay to take the test again. Step 4 - Testing. Lots of states use the National Registry of Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam to test applicant expertise. The NREMT has a computer based cognitive exam, as well as a psychomotor or practical exam. The practical exam is often scheduled separately from the computer based exam. The testing agency generally sends you your testing final results. NREMT permits a limited number of exam attempts before you must return to training. Once you've passed the mandatory exams you may have to submit documentation and an application to the state. There is often an application fee. They'll need to confirm that you've passed the necessary training, have met all the requirements, and passed your exams. Typically, applicants must wait a few weeks for license approval. Only once you've been approved by the state, do you get your EMT certification. Step 5 - Continuing Education. EMS personnel have to keep up to date with the developments in medicine and medical procedures. EMTs are required to take continuing education (CE) classes in order to qualify for recertification. Generally an EMT license is valid for 2 or 3 years before having to reapply with proof of your CE credits. Look into your state's guide to recertification because there are often very specific deadlines regarding this process. And finally, if you are interested in EMT Certification please check out http://emtcertification.co Be sure to click on your state to see what requirements are needed. Take advantage of the free eBook about EMT Interview Tips, located on the homepage.
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EMT certification, EMT training, EMT national registry, NREMT, how to become EMT, EMT courses,
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