I'm a senior in high school who is interesting in becoming a EMT. just have a few questions...
How do you know if you can handle the intensity of the job?
Probably your best bet if you are unsure is to do a ride along with a local service. You might have to wait until you're 18, if you aren't already, though.
Do people get queasy when they first start out?
Some do, some don't.
How hard is the training and how long does it take?
It really depends on where you are and what programs. Currently EMS education standards are in the middle of a big change, so most (if not all currently) are still modeled after the old standards. For EMT-Basic (the entry level in
most states), it's 110 hours with most programs in the 120-130 range. In the short future, this will probably go up to just under the 200 hour mark. As such, most training can be done in as short as 2 weeks to as long as a few months. The difference is the time per week, not the actual length of training (e.g. a 2 week course might meet for 8 hours a day, 6 days a week whereas a 3 month course might meet 5 hours a day, one day a week).
For EMT-Basic, in my opinion the training is not hard at all, however everyone learns differently. The material is simplistic compared to the education other health care professions receive.
Should I start training right after high school?
Can you get a job with just EMT basic?
Where can you get a Job?
All of these are location dependent. In some areas you can be certified as young as 16. In other areas you have to be 18. In California, for example, you can start training as a 17 year old and take the test as soon as you pass or turn 18 (which ever comes second). Similarly, jobs are going to be dependent on where you are (some areas are primarly served by volunteer ambulance services). Besides ambulances, some clinics and hospitals also hire EMT-Basics. As a new EMT-B, I personally advise against any sort of first aid job where you will be operating alone (single coverage, such as some amusement parks). This is primarily because the training for EMS revolves around the end point for essentially all patients being the emergency room while you will be treating and releasing, referring (go to the ER, but you don't need an ambulance or 'call your doctor'), or calling for an ambulance when working in first aid.
