Confused by CEU's

[netters311]

Hey guys! Im having trouble understand my CEU requirements. I am not employed as an EMT so im kinda on my own here. Is it correct that you have to be affiliated to renew your license? I just havent been able to find anything around here that will hire EMT-B's without experience.
Where can I find my CEU's? DO ACLS, PALS count toward your CEU's? I work with respiratory therapy department (Im an EKG/EEG tech) and they have CEU classes all the time. Can I use any of their CEU classes toward my license?
Thanks for your help!

 

[VentMedic]

Essentially...no.

You might try to transfer to the ED to get some experience there and a CNA cert along with phlebotomy which might be helpful.

If you continue to work with the CardioPulmonary department you might want to see about getting your ABRET certification if you continue to do EEGs. Most Stress labs are also going with CCI credentialing to gain higher accreditation for reimbursement issues. If your hospital is trying to maintain Stroke or Cardiac center status, credentialing will be of importance to meet certain standards. The days of OJT for many of these positions are long on their way out. We switched to using EEG Technologists and CVTs with a minimum of a 2 year degree along with their certifications about 10 years ago. Those that didn't upgrade became equipment techs and stockroom clerks. Even the RRTs who switched to EEG and CV roles for Pulmonary/Stress labs got additional education (some got another degree) and credentials but their 2 year degrees in CardioPulmonary Science helped shorten the process. I would also suspect that you have a licensed staff member nearby for the stress tests since without a license you are not able to actually push the medications listed in ACLS.

For EMS CEUs, contact the local tech and community colleges that offer these programs and see what their have available. You might also find a list of CE providers on your state's website.

 

[netters311]

Yes, there is licesnsed staff near by. We are located in a Heart Center so the Cath lab/Cardiac nurses are in the same area as us. I am lookin into the ER. Our hospital is a small one. Only 49 bed. So, with the economy the way it is, a lot of lay offs and time cutting is going on. But, i will definitely talk to the director or supervisor and see if I can do at least a little time down there. Thanks again for your help. Very informational.

 

[rescue99]

Hey guys! Im having trouble understand my CEU requirements. I am not employed as an EMT so im kinda on my own here. Is it correct that you have to be affiliated to renew your license? I just havent been able to find anything around here that will hire EMT-B's without experience.
Where can I find my CEU's? DO ACLS, PALS count toward your CEU's? I work with respiratory therapy department (Im an EKG/EEG tech) and they have CEU classes all the time. Can I use any of their CEU classes toward my license?
Thanks for your help!

ACLS and PALS do have a few for Basics (ie 2 for ACLS). The rest, probably not but, you can do most CEU's on line. See what is approved my your state.

 

[JPINFV]

The big problem you're going to have is if this is your first renewal then you have to be associated with a service where you actively use your EMT-B training. You aren't eligable for inactive status on your first renewal. Secondly, you have to have someone from your company be able to sign off on your skills for renewal. Getting CMEs are easy, it's the rest of the process that can be a pain for EMS employment.