how long is emt training?
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are trained to provide basic life support and care for sick or injured patients. EMT training can take anywhere from a few weeks to two years, depending on the level of certification desired and the state in which one plans to work. Most students who become certified EMTs finish their coursework in 3-6 weeks, though up to two years of coursework is available if they wish to take on more responsibilities.
Some states require EMTs to have a certain amount of experience working in the field before they can be certified, so it is important to check with your state’s requirements before enrolling in an EMT training program. In general, though, certification can be obtained relatively quickly and easily, making EMT work a great option for those who want to help others in a time of need.
What Do EMT Courses Cover?
During the EMT Basic course, students will learn about human anatomy and focus on reading vital signs, airway management, obstetrics and gynecology, shock and bleeding management, as well as head injuries. Additionally, it is important for students to know how to physically manipulate patients by practicing how to properly lift them and move them. This is especially important when dealing with infants or children. Many healthcare programs will also have a mandatory class that focuses on medical and ethical issues. Oftentimes, the coursework is restricted to essential information due to the time limit of basic training courses.
The training needed to obtain a basic EMT certificate is not as difficult as that required for other healthcare professions or an intermediate EMT or paramedic education program. Despite this, the curriculum is jam-packed with information in a little amount of time. As a result, students must maintain attention and put forth the consistent effort. In addition to 120-150 hours of in-class coursework, hopeful EMTs must also get face time with patients. These interactions help students become familiar with the equipment, practice patient assessments, and learn how to deal with high-stakes situations.
The hands-on experience in a controlled setting provides would-be EMTs an idea of what an EMT’s tasks and responsibilities are. This highly applicable portion of the training is the sum total of all previous coursework.
Do you have to take exams to become an EMT?
After an EMT trainee has completed all of his or her coursework and graduated from the program of his or her choice, he or she must take nationwide examinations. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is in charge of the testing and certification of EMTs across the country. Potential EMTs will have to register for both the Cognitive Exam and the Psychomotor Exam through NREMT in order to obtain a license. These exams need to be registered for with a payment of $70 for each exam plus the confirmation of successful completion of an EMDT program.
Cognitive Exams
The computer adaptive cognitive exam that EMTs must take to ensure they are effective in their role covers a variety of topics. These include human physiology and the different pathways in the body, cardiology and resuscitation, trauma care for various parts of the body, obstetrics, and gynecology. The focus of questions asked during the exam will be primarily on adult patients with some consideration given to geriatric patients rather than infants or children. Additionally, general EMS operations will be tested.
The cognitive section of the exam covers material that EMTs learn during in-class coursework. If an applicant doesn’t pass, the NREMT will provide suggestions for improving their performance. Applicants can retake the exam six times total, with at least 15 days between each attempt. If someone fails three times, they must undergo 24 hours of remedial training before retaking the class from the beginning again after six failures.
Psychomotor Exams
The psychomotor exam comes after the cognitive exam is completed. This test focuses on the more hands-on skills an EMT needs, such as interacting with patients and assessing their condition. It also covers managing a trauma patient and administering oxygen to someone who can’t breathe. Another key section of this examination is controlling bleeding and shock since those are usually the first things EMTs have to deal with when responding to an emergency call.
in addition to working with the psychological aspects of patients, EMTs are also tested on more clinical parts of their job.
The psychomotor part of the test is similar to basic EMT training, in that it requires hands-on experience. After passing the national psychomotor exam, applicants must also pass a state-level psychomotor exam and receive additional information from their State EMS Office or an instructor.