New EMT

[AnthonyT]

So I'm a High School graduate fresh out graduated last year. I'm looking to get my EMT certs starting this July. I work at Starbucks right now, and we get a lot of EMT/Medics. I always love to ask questions. Well the program I'm looking at to get my certification from is called Bay EMT(you can look at the website) its a free program. One of the hiring Medics said that "It would look better if i went to a junior college instead of the free program." Either way I'm getting my certs right??? Is that true or should i switch to a junior college for the program...any advice helps!!! Thanks!!! Also I live in The San Francisco Bay area

 

[94H]

I dont know how it is out there, but over where I work no one asked me where I went to school

 

[Level1pedstech]

Took a look at the web site and it looks like a great program. The staff and instructors all look to be seasoned providers with years of experience between them which is always a big plus. The problem with many of the paid private or JC programs is they tend to be staffed and taught by people who have been to long out of the field. Instructors with little or no current field time will tend to rely on the books and less on actual experience. This works for some students but others learn and retain things better when an instuctor has a balanced mix of class and field time. The idea of helping inner city youth get on track is also something I like and support and may be the only shot some of them may get at a career in medicine.

Next time you see the medic that advised you to find another program you should ask if they are willing to sponsor you by paying your tuition and other class related expenses. Its a safe bet to say they will decline at which point you may want to ask them how much experience their instuctors had compared to the ones who will be teaching your program. Many of us recieved our education free in the sense that our departments paid our tuition in return for our service. At the end of the class you will recieve a card (hopefully) its the same card you get if you go the free route or pony up the cash.

The secret is how much you learn from your very well seasoned instructors above and beyond the core material they are required to teach. You should take advantage of this knowledge bank and get as much extra help,advice and mentoring as you can. Pick these peoples brains for what they know,all the little things that have helped them thru the years will also help you. All my EMS education was provided by my department and the instructors were all current field providers both fire and non fire. You will see when you start with the hands on stuff that they will offer up little bits of knowledge that you probably will not find in the text book. Be a sponge and suck up as much as you can,ask questions and be the first one up when they ask for help. Most importantly remember its not the card that makes you a good EMT its how well you care for your patients and represent the profession. Good luck and study hard.

 

[EFDUnit823]

A FREE program?!?! Man, must be nice…employers will be more interested in what you know instead of where you learned it.

 

[SoCal911]

Depends, what's the quality of the program. You'll be dealing with people's lives. Is a free education worth you not being well trained in an emergency? I'd recommend the jc. Idk about you but with some of the thing I've been dropped into, I wouldn't trade the length or cost of my program or the amount of education I received from working one on one with the paramedic class for the world.

 

[EFDUnit823]

Depends, what's the quality of the program. You'll be dealing with people's lives. Is a free education worth you not being well trained in an emergency? I'd recommend the jc. Idk about you but with some of the thing I've been dropped into, I wouldn't trade the length or cost of my program or the amount of education I received from working one on one with the paramedic class for the world.

I agree 100%, but cost doesn’t denote good quality either. As an example, we have an organization here called Pelham Training. People from all over the US come for its courses, a lot from the military. Though other options are available through them, you can take accelerated going from zero EMS knowledge/experience to Paramedic in three and a half months (Approximately $8000). What kind of quality can come out of that?

 

[Level1pedstech]

Depends, what's the quality of the program. You'll be dealing with people's lives. Is a free education worth you not being well trained in an emergency? I'd recommend the jc. Idk about you but with some of the thing I've been dropped into, I wouldn't trade the length or cost of my program or the amount of education I received from working one on one with the paramedic class for the world.[/QUOTE

Did you take a look at the programs web site? Just looking at the instructors and their experience tells me that if your going to get anything out of that program its going to be how to react in an emergency situation. They are almost all paid members on very highly thought of departments and agencies. Also with ten years of teaching behind them they must be doing something right. Of course not all free programs are going to be up to standard but this one seems to be on the right track.