Oregon and Washington EMT's

G

griffithsgriffin

Forum Crew Member
Messages
83
Reaction score
0
Points
0
can someone please point me into the right direction for getting state certification for Oregon as well as Washington? I am having a hell of a time finding out where to begin, and state certification wasnt discussed much in my training. Thanks!

Zack
 
I can't speak for Oregon, but in Washington you must be affiliated with an EMS agency to be certified.
 
ffemt8978 said:
I can't speak for Oregon, but in Washington you must be affiliated with an EMS agency to be certified.
Click to expand...

Affiliated how?

I've never understood regulations like this. Sort of "putting the cart before the horse" kind of thing. Is it to limit the candidate pool?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
MedicBrew said:
Affiliated how?

I've never understood regulations like this. Sort of "putting the cart before the horse" kind of thing. Is it to limit the candidate pool?
Click to expand...

You must be a member of an agency. The EMS director of the agency must sign your application, and the county medical director must also sign it.
 
What type of function do you have as a “member”? You can’t even volunteer in Oklahoma without being certified (actually licensed) at least at the state level.

Just curious.
 
I don't understand it either...I just had to abide by it.
 
dougallen said:
in washington state you go to school, then take the nremt, then apply with the fire dept or ambulance service befor the well give you your card
Click to expand...

I wouldn't know. I got mine via reciprocity.
 
It is that way locally for First Responder Certification, not EMT. The Medical Director will only give the card out for those that work as First Responders. I am sure there is some sort of odd government logic to it. Just take their money and give them the damn card! God knows you could use the money!
 
dougallen said:
in washington state you go to school, then take the nremt, then apply with the fire dept or ambulance service befor the well give you your card
Click to expand...

So are you stuck with an FTO while you wait for you card? or can you practice while you're in limbo?

Again, I'm just curious. That’s completely opposite to what is required here.
 
Also, to thicken the pot a bit:

If you are NREMT-B you have to take an upgrade course to be Oregon EMT-Basic pretty sure the course just goes over King airways and how to give Epi SQ or IM.
 
sssoooo.....

...I reside in Washington, but will more than likely get a job in Oregon. So do I have to get a job first to gain affiliation? My NREMT account has asked me to choose from a drop down menu an affiliation. I'm assuming I don't just pick one. I thought to gain employment in EMS in Oregon you had to have State Certification or an affiliation. But from what I am hearing, you have to have employment with an agency before you get state certs?? Wow really confused
 
griffithsgriffin said:
sssoooo.....

...I reside in Washington, but will more than likely get a job in Oregon. So do I have to get a job first to gain affiliation? My NREMT account has asked me to choose from a drop down menu an affiliation. I'm assuming I don't just pick one. I thought to gain employment in EMS in Oregon you had to have State Certification or an affiliation. But from what I am hearing, you have to have employment with an agency before you get state certs?? Wow really confused
Click to expand...

the way i have readed it is that in WA and other part is 1. you go to school, and get certification and take the NREMT. And then once you get hired you get the lic. or 2nd way is you are already a fireman and taking the emt class.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
dougallen said:
the way i have readed it is that in WA and other part is 1. you go to school, and get certification and take the NREMT. And then once you get hired you get the lic. or 2nd way is you are already a fireman and taking the emt class.
Click to expand...

Wrong.

In Washington, you take an approved class. You take (and pass) the NREMT. You then obtain employment or volunteer status with an EMS agency. You apply for your Washington state certification. You wait 4 to 8 weeks to become certified. THEN you can work as an EMT.

That's the only way it works in Washington.

If you're a medic, your agency and medical director may allow you to do FTO time while waiting for your state cert.
 
griffithsgriffin said:
sssoooo.....

...I reside in Washington, but will more than likely get a job in Oregon. So do I have to get a job first to gain affiliation? My NREMT account has asked me to choose from a drop down menu an affiliation. I'm assuming I don't just pick one. I thought to gain employment in EMS in Oregon you had to have State Certification or an affiliation. But from what I am hearing, you have to have employment with an agency before you get state certs?? Wow really confused
Click to expand...
If you hold a NREMT-Basic card and just finished school then for Oregon you'll need to document that you've been taught how to do a few extra skills and submit a request for reciprocity. What you need to do is listed very clearly on the DHS website. (guess it's technically the OHA website now) Used to be that you just needed verification from someone approved to teach those skills (EMT instructor or I think a physician); not sure now.

Feel free to try and gain employment as an EMT without an Oregon EMT cert...just don't expect anywhere to touch you with a 10 foot pole.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top