A few questions about EMT and EMT-P

[Planet Green]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum and have a few questions about the EMT field. I am considering pursing a career as an emergency medical technician, but I am confused on what the different levels of EMT.
I have been reading about a few classes I can take at a technology center in my town, there are two of them I'm interested in. The first discusses teaching the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation and the other says it covers all standards listed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and prepares students to become Nationally Registered, and Oklahoma State Licensed, as an Advanced EMT, which is where I am confused. I don't really understand the difference between them, or the differences between the levels of various EMT. Is being nationally registered the same as being an EMT-P or would that require further education?
Any input would be appreciated and I thank everyone for taking the time to read my post.

Also, if anyone has a few websites I could read regarding the full extent of being an EMT and various applications of the career, I would be indebted to them.

 

[Achilles]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum and have a few questions about the EMT field. I am considering pursing a career as an emergency medical technician, but I am confused on what the different levels of EMT.
I have been reading about a few classes I can take at a technology center in my town, there are two of them I'm interested in. The first discusses teaching the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation and the other says it covers all standards listed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and prepares students to become Nationally Registered, and Oklahoma State Licensed, as an Advanced EMT, which is where I am confused. I don't really understand the difference between them, or the differences between the levels of various EMT. Is being nationally registered the same as being an EMT-P or would that require further education?
Any input would be appreciated and I thank everyone for taking the time to read my post.

Also, if anyone has a few websites I could read regarding the full extent of being an EMT and various applications of the career, I would be indebted to them.

EMT basic is the most basic, besides MFR, I'm pretty sure AEMT is the new specialist/ Intermediate. Paramedic is like Major leagues compared to basic which is like T ball. (as I've been told by more than a few instructors and current medics) I believe at one time you were able to go straight to medic but I don't think you're able to anymore. EMT basic will allow you do BLS depending on local protocols, you should be able to do BGL, airway adjuncts, AED, CPR and a few other things including a few drugs. Paramedic allows you to set up an IV, push drugs, and do a bunch of other cool stuff. A medic will be able to give you more information on everything else, and I may be wrong about the AEMT.
Good luck!!
Regards,
Andrew

 

[TB 3541]

First off, Welcome to EMTLife! We're glad you're interested in Emergency Medicine.

Just some terminology clarification:

First Responder Level:
MFR = Medical First Responder
EMR = Emergency Medical Responder

EMT-Basic Level:
EMT-B = Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
EMT-I = Emergency Medical Technician - One (Same as EMT-B; not to be confused with EMT-Intermediate)
EMT-Ambulance = (Same as EMT-B)

EMT-Intermediate Level:
EMT-I = Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate
AEMT = Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
EMT-Intermediate/85 = EMT-Intermediate trained using 1985 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) curriculum
EMT-Intermediate/99 = Trained using 1999 NHTSA curriculum

EMT-Paramedic Level:
EMT-P = Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic

First Responder is the lowest level on the list progressively becoming more advanced up to paramedic. (Some areas even recognize Advanced Paramedic, but that is irrelevant to you at this time.)

This list is not definitive (see this article). Every country and state recognizes different levels and titles for emergency medical personnel. You can see at the aforementioned link that Oklahoma recognizes the levels of EMR, EMT-B, EMT-I/85, and EMT-P. Also, each state, and even county, can have different scopes of practice for each level of certification. Scope of practice is what medical procedures a licensed person is able to perform on a patient (abbreviated 'pt.'). For example, the scope of practice for a paramedic (called Advanced Life Support [ALS]) generally includes things like inserting an IV catheter and lock, and EKG rhythm interpretation, while an EMT-B's scope of practice (called Basic Life Support [BLS]) will not allow them to perform that skill, but instead, they will perform skills like child birthing and pt. ventilation with a BVM (Bag-Valve Mask).

Most people will begin their EMS career with EMT-B certification (I was never an MFR), and then if they decide to continue with the profession, they will go to paramedic school. EMT-Intermediate is a rarer certification, and is being done away with, but some people still acquire this certification level.

National registration is done through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). They provide a comprehensive written and practical examination for students to certify that they learned the material. Once you pass those tests at the end of your EMT-B class, you will be able to get your state or county license without any further testing at which point, you are officially an EMT-B, and are hire-able.

EMT-B's are usually hired by BLS or ALS transport companies. BLS transport (a.k.a. Inter-Facility Transport [IFT]) involves transporting pts. between hospitals and other care facilites. It will usually be a driver and an EMT-B, or two EMT-B's, one driving, one attending the pt. in the back. These transports are non-emergency (no lights and sirens). ALS transport (a.k.a. 911 provider) is 911 response. There will be either an EMT-B that drives and a paramedic that attends the pt. in the back, or two EMT-B's and you will pick up a paramedic from the fire department on the scene. Sometimes an ALS unit will have two paramedics and no EMT-B. You will learn what configuration each company has while you are in the class. EMT-B's are also hired by hospitals as emergency room technicians.

Here are some helpful links:
Oklahoma State Emergency Medical Services Authority
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Emergency Responder Levels by State
Oklahoma EMT-B Scope of Practice
And, of course, EMTLife.com!

Don't hesitate to ask more questions. You can send me a private message any time as well. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Planet Green]

Thank you guys very much! Your replies were extremely helpful and I couldn't have gotten better and more definitive responses. I appreciate the links TB and how well you explained the extent of the tasks each EMT preforms.