I live in Aurora, Colorado, And i want to become an EMT but i know that i need to have my basic certification completed. I am not 18 yet, but was wondering if i could take the class before i was 18 as well as where to take it. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
EMT-B certification questions
- Thread starter 3oh3
- Start date
KEVD18
Forum Deputy Chief
- 2,165
- 10
- 0
10 characters.
Last edited by a moderator:
10 characters?
KEVD18
Forum Deputy Chief
- 2,165
- 10
- 0
i wrote a response, then though better of it. so i edited out what i had to say on the matter and replaced it with something that would fit the forums requirment of 10 characters per post.
Yeah i'm in my senior year, and was wondering if i could just start the class even, I turn 18 in July, the classes are over in May so i was wondering if i could take the classes and then just take all the tests in July.
gillysaurus
Forum Lieutenant
- 123
- 0
- 0
It's always best to look up the school you are planning on going to and call them directly to ask. Some places will not let you into the class itself until you're 18, other places will let you slide as long as you're 18 by the clinical dates. None of us can know all of the rules for every school, so you're better off asking that particular administration.
By the way, I'm from the "303" and it's sooo not Aurora! Good band, tough
And welcome to EMTLife!
By the way, I'm from the "303" and it's sooo not Aurora! Good band, tough
And welcome to EMTLife!
It's always best to look up the school you are planning on going to and call them directly to ask. Some places will not let you into the class itself until you're 18, other places will let you slide as long as you're 18 by the clinical dates. None of us can know all of the rules for every school, so you're better off asking that particular administration.
By the way, I'm from the "303" and it's sooo not Aurora! Good band, tough
And welcome to EMTLife!
Thank you Gilly, yeah, i just like the band lol. I talked to a previous EMT who said in Aurora they had taken the class at 17 and taken the test later, but every school i have looked up has said that you need to be 18 at the time of registration, I guess more than anything I'm looking for a school to take it from that will allow me to do that.
Or, you could wait until you're 18 at the time of registration. What's the hurry?
I want to be able to be an EMT during the summer. That way i can start the job before college starts so i get used to it first.
reaper
Working Bum
- 2,817
- 75
- 48
How about you take a college level A&P course until you turn 18. You will be way ahead of the rest of the class on knowledge!
I already am. I'm in AP psych, AP stat, and AP english lit.
A&P is not the same as AP. A&P is anatomy and physiology. It's all about how the human body works. And by college level, we mean AT college, not an AP class. BTW, there's no "getting used to" this job. What is your ultimate goal?
phabib
Forum Lieutenant
- 125
- 0
- 0
Since you're a local kid I'll answer your question.
I would wait till I was 18 at least. Where I took my course you had to be 18 by the first day of class. The other reason to wait is many ambulance services in our area require you to be 21 (rural/metro for example).
Wicked awesome screen name BTW.
I would wait till I was 18 at least. Where I took my course you had to be 18 by the first day of class. The other reason to wait is many ambulance services in our area require you to be 21 (rural/metro for example).
Wicked awesome screen name BTW.
Thank you for clearing that up, I had no idea lol. I did take Anatomy last year though. I'm not sure of my ultimate goal i'm not sure of exactly what i want to do. I would love to move up the ranks and become a paramedic but I think the pay would be hard. But as long as i enjoy the work it is worth it.
It's been said but I'll reinforce. College level A&P is not the same as junior year of highschool anatomy class. Take a college level course. Next most services will require you're 21 in order to work for them so I'd call around and see if anyone even can hire you when you're 18. If you're thinking of going on to college next year I'm assuming you're talking 4 year school, knowing what you want to study there should be a little bit higher on the priority list than getting your EMT-B. If you want to do something in the medical field and are thinking along those lines for your 4 year degree I'd say go for a CNA now as it will help you more in the long run.
I appreciate the advice, I didn't know you had to be 21 to work for most services. And yes I plan on minimum 4 year schooling, probably Colorado State, looks like I'm sticking to Lifeguarding for a year or two more than i wanted to.
phabib
Forum Lieutenant
- 125
- 0
- 0
Have fun at CSU.
Pro tip: Some of the dorm cafeterias serve wings till 11:00 PM. You can save a meal (or if you skipped breakfast) and go in, fill one of those take-out boxes then go back up to your dorm and have an epic feast. My room mate and I would do this twice a week at least.
Pro tip: Some of the dorm cafeterias serve wings till 11:00 PM. You can save a meal (or if you skipped breakfast) and go in, fill one of those take-out boxes then go back up to your dorm and have an epic feast. My room mate and I would do this twice a week at least.
Haha, thats a good idea. I will have to do that. Wings are amazing. Since it looks like i will be waiting until im 18 anyways, do you know of any places in ft. Collins that offer EMT-B?
gillysaurus
Forum Lieutenant
- 123
- 0
- 0
^ Front Range Community College has a decent program in Fort Collins. There's also Aims Community College in Greeley. Getting to Aims is more of a drive, but I think it's well worth it if you want the great education. Both programs are good, though. I have a few friends who teach the EMT-B lab in Ft. Collins ^_^
CSU is a fun school, I love Ft. Collins. What are you planning to study?
Look up Poudre Valley Health System. They're the ambulance service up there. Unfortunately for you (and for most who are looking for an EMT job right now), Poudre requires their EMTs to put in at least 6 months of volunteer reserve EMT work before they're eligible for hiring. I haven't heard of a case where they will hire an EMT-B from outside of their reserve system, but it guarantees them competent EMTs that are trained to their liking.
Weld County Paramedic (also based out of Greeley, about a 30 min drive from Ft. Collins) hires at 18, but I have yet to see someone under 21 who was hired. Pridemark Paramedic (out of Boulder and Arvada) hires 21+. There's American Medical Response in Longmont... Well, I guess you'll have to form your own opinion of AMR
There's also Thompson Valley EMS in Loveland, and they do a joint hiring with Weld County. All of these companies, with the exception of Poudre, also require you to have IV and EKG classes under your belt at the time of hiring.
Good luck! Keep us posted!
CSU is a fun school, I love Ft. Collins. What are you planning to study?
Look up Poudre Valley Health System. They're the ambulance service up there. Unfortunately for you (and for most who are looking for an EMT job right now), Poudre requires their EMTs to put in at least 6 months of volunteer reserve EMT work before they're eligible for hiring. I haven't heard of a case where they will hire an EMT-B from outside of their reserve system, but it guarantees them competent EMTs that are trained to their liking.
Weld County Paramedic (also based out of Greeley, about a 30 min drive from Ft. Collins) hires at 18, but I have yet to see someone under 21 who was hired. Pridemark Paramedic (out of Boulder and Arvada) hires 21+. There's American Medical Response in Longmont... Well, I guess you'll have to form your own opinion of AMR
There's also Thompson Valley EMS in Loveland, and they do a joint hiring with Weld County. All of these companies, with the exception of Poudre, also require you to have IV and EKG classes under your belt at the time of hiring.Good luck! Keep us posted!
Last edited by a moderator: