Looking to become an emt don’t know where to start

[Brooklyn04]

I’ve been planning to become an emt and later paramedic since my freshman year of hs, but I don’t know where or how to start. For instance, what schools are best? What are the most important facts I should know before applying and after? Should I wait until after college or midway through instead of right away? I don’t have any family member or friends who is an emergency worker or who wants to go into that, no counselors or teachers at my school are any help either and google only takes me so far. You know have to answer all my questions, but any advice would be helpful.

 

[mgr22]

I’ve been planning to become an emt and later paramedic since my freshman year of hs, but I don’t know where or how to start. For instance, what schools are best? What are the most important facts I should know before applying and after? Should I wait until after college or midway through instead of right away? I don’t have any family member or friends who is an emergency worker or who wants to go into that, no counselors or teachers at my school are any help either and google only takes me so far. You know have to answer all my questions, but any advice would be helpful.

It would be nice to have a college degree if EMS didn't work out for you. If you got the degree first and then pursued your EMT, or did the two concurrently, you'd probably add to your options down the road.

What is it about EMS that you think you'll like?

 

[MMiz]

I’ve been planning to become an emt and later paramedic since my freshman year of hs, but I don’t know where or how to start. For instance, what schools are best? What are the most important facts I should know before applying and after? Should I wait until after college or midway through instead of right away? I don’t have any family member or friends who is an emergency worker or who wants to go into that, no counselors or teachers at my school are any help either and google only takes me so far. You know have to answer all my questions, but any advice would be helpful.

Welcome to EMTLIFE! Here is some government provided information about the career outlook for EMS.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) provides a list of accredited programs in each state.

Each state also likely has a list of approved programs. Here is California's.

Find some local programs and connect with them.

I did a summer-long EMT-Basic academy during the summer after my freshman year of college. The EMT-Basic certification is the first step in the EMS ladder. You can then go on to Paramedic, get a college degree, and beyond.

I ended up pursuing a graduate degree and career in another field, but I still fondly remember my part time EMS gig and continue to use the skills and knowledge I learned almost daily.

Good luck!

 

[Lo2w]

I’ve been planning to become an emt and later paramedic since my freshman year of hs, but I don’t know where or how to start. For instance, what schools are best? What are the most important facts I should know before applying and after? Should I wait until after college or midway through instead of right away? I don’t have any family member or friends who is an emergency worker or who wants to go into that, no counselors or teachers at my school are any help either and google only takes me so far. You know have to answer all my questions, but any advice would be helpful.

I came into the career around 30, so some advice from my experience:

Apply to one of the hospitals around you. Most have some kind of entry level CNA/PCA/PCT role that they often provide training for. You'll do things like take vitals for the nurses, help with patient care, maybe some phlebotomy, 12 leads etc. It's a good intro to healthcare with minimal cost or investment on your part. See if you actually want to do healthcare, if you can handle the body fluids, injuries and so on.

Depending on your region, see if you have any volunteer Fire/EMS departments. They'll usually put you through certs and, again, minimal to no cost for you. I did some time with a vollie department that just wanted you to sign up for EMS coverage with 1 24 hour shift or 2 12s. Manageable with a hospital schedule if there's something similar and gives you a bit of a taste of pre-hospital emergencies. Otherwise, take the EMT cert on your own. You'll get a taste of the 911 side with your rides and clinicals. Just set your expectations following completion. You're very likely to work an IFT gig for your first experience, which can be pretty miserable and burn you out. Just keep working towards what you want.

During that whole period, chip away at an associates degree through a local community college. If you decide to go the EMS route and medic, your pre-reqs for medic will be done. If you decide based on your experiences to pursue another area of healthcare, again your pre-reqs are largely done. Or if you realize the work isn't for you, you can easily pursue another educational and career opportunity.

 

[Califteacher]

I am impressed with the above three replies which were excellent. The only thing I can add is if you are going to enter an EMT training program, get ahold of the textbook in advance and read it cover to cover, concentrating on the anatomy portions. If you can add in some medical terminology training as well, it will give you a big boost in school. Many programs are rushed and leave you little time to study and read the material on the run. Good luck!

 

[Red Shirt 6]

From your statement it seems like you are still in high school so I will suggest during summer breaks take classes at a community college for general education such as math, English, the perroquets for entering an EMT or Paramedic course. While doing this do some shadowing in an Emergency dept, and do a ride along with an Ambulance, maybe law enforcement and fire as well. Once you graduate from high school then I would sign up for an EMT or Paramedic course.

 

[nerf]

In case you are in high school, I can offer some insight about doing EMT while in HS.

Just to lay some context:
I am a high school senior taking 3 AP classes.
I take EMT night classes x2 a week from 5 to 10 PM at my local community college (tuition is free for me).

It is a lot of dedication, basically another AP class. The 2 days are somewhat close together and depending on the curriculum, expect to stay up late to read the chapters and do the HW. You will sacrifice sleep. My class is kinda rushed, reading 2 chapters within a day on top of other responsibilities isn't fun.

That being said, I find EMT class to be very enjoyable, learning new things every class.

I hope some of my insight can help you make your decision. If I wasn't in a time crunch, I'd definitely would want to take it slower. If you are in high school, it's not impossible as my instructors have noted that many high schoolers have passed the program before in the past.

In terms of finding a school and other info, MMiz has laid out some very good sources.

Hope you have a good journey in EMS!

 

[DrParasite]

I take EMT night classes x2 a week from 5 to 10 PM at my local community college (tuition is free for me).

It is a lot of dedication, basically another AP class. The 2 days are somewhat close together and depending on the curriculum, expect to stay up late to read the chapters and do the HW. You will sacrifice sleep. My class is kinda rushed, reading 2 chapters within a day on top of other responsibilities isn't fun.

Just to touch of this topic... EMT class is a lot of work, esp if you have no experience in the area. The two days (typically Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) are always rough, since you need to do all of your work in less than 48 hours, and do the reading.

I did my EMT class back during high school in the late 90s, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm to 10pm; now I am teaching a non EMS class at the local CC, two nights a week, on top of my full time job, my part time job, and my family. It does get rough at times

If I could do it all over again, I would get my EMT as soon as possible, and get a part time job in EMS at a reputable company once I graduated high school. if you are going to college, work full time hours over the summer (it's a great side job, and beats working retail). as well as on the weekends. If you want to do paramedic, having EMS experience will help you get that first job.

My two suggestions are as follows: 1) Always always always do the reading before class, and always always always do the homework. And plan to spend 3-4 hours (or however long each class it) in class, doing class related stuff. and 2) treat it as a job... don't be late, don't expect to leave early, come dressed appropriately, and expect to do heavy lifting and hands on activities every single class. Time management is important, so budget your time appropriately. You will need to do this when you get into the real world as well.

 

[chriscemt]

I’ve been planning to become an emt and later paramedic since my freshman year of hs, but I don’t know where or how to start. For instance, what schools are best? What are the most important facts I should know before applying and after? Should I wait until after college or midway through instead of right away? I don’t have any family member or friends who is an emergency worker or who wants to go into that, no counselors or teachers at my school are any help either and google only takes me so far. You know have to answer all my questions, but any advice would be helpful.

In the Kansas City area, there really isn't a "bad" school for EMT. Passing the NREMT is all that really matters until you gain some experience.