Want to be a first responder? Learn how to get certified
Are you good in a crisis? Level-headed? Interested in helping people? A good communicator? Becoming an EMT might be a good fit for you.
An Emergency Medical Technician (or EMT for short) is a certified health specialist who is responsible for providing care in the community and throughout transport to a hospital. EMTs drive ambulances, assess scenes, and are primarily tasked with “stabilizing” the ill or injured until they can get to a hospital.
To become an EMT you need to complete a short training program which will teach you how to provide basic medical care, how to prepare a patient for transportation and how to safely drive an ambulance to-and-from the scene of an incident.
EMT training programs generally run 4-6 months and involve both classroom learning and hands-on training. To find an EMT training program near you, use this State EMS Agency Map. First, click your state, then click “Go to the State EMS Website” to find a link to recommended EMT training programs in your state.
Get Ready!
Being an EMT-B will put you on the front lines of medical care. You will need to know medical procedures and be ready to help people in situations that can be urgent. Therefore, these training programs take themselves very seriously; be prepared to study 10-15 hours per week while you are enrolled in the program.
Note – One of the main functions of an EMT-B is to drive the ambulance. Therefore, you need to have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. You also need to be able to pass drug tests regularly (including, for now, marijuana).
Once you have your EMT-basic license (EMT-B), you can take additional classes to become a Paramedic (EMT-P), which brings with it more responsibilities (and a higher salary!).
Elite Ambulance is a private EMT-training program.
Job Placement Support
Continuing Education Benefits
Elite offers a tuition benefit at Malcolm X College for the Paramedic program if the student agrees to work for Elite as a Paramedic for two years upon completion.
Superior Ambulance is a private EMT-training program.
Job Placement Support
Continuing Education Benefits
Superior supports their students to succeed as EMTs, but also to add additional skills and licenses like a Paramedic program if they are interested after program completion.
Malcolm X is a Public City College and offers an EMT training program.
Job Placement Support
Continuing Education Benefits
Taking classes at Malcolm X allows students to use all of the benefits the college offers its students, such as free advising, mental health care, and the opportunity to pursue additional related degrees upon completion.
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