How To Find An Accelerated EMT Course
Paramedics and EMTs are those people directly responsible for the medical treatment of other persons who are involved in various types of incidents or accidents, including boating, car accidents, strokes and even injuries. The main difference between EMT’s (Emergency Medical Technicians) and paramedics is that paramedics benefit of extra training and can offer more specialized treatments. Both paramedics and EMT’s can perform care procedures in the ambulance, while transporting their patients to the nearest hospital. The training of a new Emergency Medical Technician can be sped up by taking an accelerated EMT course.
EMT Job Description
Coordinating and uniting their efforts and skills with additional emergency personnel, paramedics and EMTs arrive at the place of the incident after being noticed by one of the operators from 911. At the scene, the primary focus of paramedics and EMT is to establish the condition of the patients, and also to check their medical history status. The next step is to provide adequate medical care, which has to be based on several pre-established regulations and norms that correspond to the applicable laws. If it’s possible, they provide care right at the scene or at the patient’s home without taking him to the nearest hospital.
EMT’s and paramedics can be found in teams of two or three. There has to be at least one driver and at least one specialized medic in the ambulance who takes care of the injured person who is in the back, secured on the stretcher. In some cases, they can be a part of a small helicopter crew, especially in case of emergency or when an area can’t be accessed by motorized vehicles. Upon arriving at the closest hospital, the personnel report all the information regarding the care they provided and the patient’s injuries. Then, they clean the interior of the ambulance and replenish their supplies, since they need to be ready in any moment for the next emergency call. The EMT-Basic can be completed in as soon as 2 weeks by taking an accelerated EMT course.
Levels of EMT Certification & Required Training
The most common certification today in the medical services is the EMT-basic. Most states have only two EMT levels of certification: EMT-Basic and EMT-Paramedic. Some of the states recognize the EMT-Intermediate as a level of certification. Commonly, EMT-Basic are named EMT, while EMT-Paramedic is referred to as paramedics. They are the two common EMT classifications. The major difference between a paramedic and an EMT is that the scope of practice and the training is different. Usually, an EMT receives around 140 hours of training, while a paramedic get from 1,200 to 1,800. There are scholarships available that can help pay for the schooling. For the 140 hours of clinical training, there are several ways to take an accelerated EMT course.
Because of the thorough training programs, a paramedic is allowed to start intravenous lifelines and to give shots into the skin. In other words, a paramedic is allowed to break the skin, while an EMT isn’t. Moreover, a paramedic is allowed to use advanced airway management devices in order to support the breathing process. In fact, EMT’s are restricted to using glucose, oxygen, epinephrine auto-injectors and asthma inhalers. On the other hand, paramedics are trained to use more than 40 medications and procedures, depending on the need.
EMT-Intermediates and EMT-Paramedics can use defibrillators if they need to restart the heart of a patient who has stopped. Since emergency care is required almost 24/7, more than often EMT’s and paramedics have to work extra hours. Emergency personnel who work in the hospital spend an average of 55 hours per week at work, those on private ambulances 45 hours, while paramedics who work with the fire department around 50 hours each week.
Accelerated EMT And Paramedic Training Programs
Every state requires all (volunteer, professional) paramedics and EMT’s to be certified.
The most advanced level of certification is the EMT-Paramedic. The Paramedic training programs are extremely difficult and require more perseverance and dedication. There are several famous paramedic programs all around the country, but it is preferably to choose one that is closer to you. The cost of such a program can exceed $8000. An EMT-Paramedic has to study for about 500 hours and then to practice for another 1,000. More than often, a paramedic is promoted and becomes an EMT supervisor or a Director of Emergency Service. On the other hand, EMT-Basic can’t be promoted if they don’t graduate a paramedic training program. However, EMT’s can work as instructors, dispatchers and even medical equipment salesman.
Paramedic Characteristics
A paramedic must become a confident and trustworthy leader, because he has a greater responsibility than a simple EMT. He need to have a mature judgement and be able to discern if a patient can be treated on the spot or if he needs surgery at the hospital. A paramedic will usually work in much stressful situations than an EMT, therefore he needs to be able to prioritize decisions and to remain calm. Moreover, a paramedic has to possess excellent verbal communication skills, since he will be forced to adapt to various situations. On top of all, he has to be kind with his patients, because the tone of his voice could prove extremely helpful in some situations.