Working at the forefront of providing medical care, EMTs and paramedics are usually the first points of contact during cases of emergency. Working in conjunction with other first responders, EMTs are charged with the duty of supplying individuals with lifesaving care during emergencies as well as transporting them to healthcare facilities so that they can receive more in-depth care. If becoming an EMT or paramedic sounds like your dream career, here is what you need to do:
Start by differentiating between EMTs and paramedics
While both EMTs and paramedics are usually first in line during emergencies, there are some major differences between the two that you need to be aware of. EMTs, for instance, can only provide a basic level of care for life support such as CPR and stabilizing wounds, fractures, seizures, and so on.
Paramedics, on the other hand, provide a lot more than basic care. They perform all the duties that EMTs can. However, they also give advanced care such as insert breathing tubes, administer medications and performing manual defibrillation. To become a paramedic, you must first become certified as an EMT first.
Complete your high school diploma or GED
A basic requirement of most EMT training programs is a high school education or its equivalent. While in high school, you should aim to focus on science courses such as biology and psychology classes that can make it a lot easier for you to complete your training successfully.
Try and gain some experience beforehand
Even before you start your EMT training, there are plenty of things that you can do to ensure that you get ahead in your career. One of the things that you can do is apply to special programs that allow curious and interested candidates like you to take ride-alongs that will enable you to gain some first-hand experience into what it is really like to work in the industry. Alternatively, you can also consider applying for a job as a lifeguard where you will be trained in first aid and CPR, which are vital elements of EMT training.
Find a school to attend
Once you have gained some insight into what it is like, you might then want to proceed to apply to an accredited training program. Before you can become an EMT, you will be required to complete a state-approved program in emergency medical training in any college, vocational school or training institute that offers EMT programs. Once you complete your program successfully, you can then gain hands-on experience while working as an EMT before proceeding to advance your studies to become a paramedic. For more information visit https://www.dorsey.edu/dema/emt/.
