EMT -FAQ
While technology has improved and streamlined emergency care, here are the five essential skills needed for all paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Teamwork, Ability to navigate challenging situations, Think creatively, Mental toughness and Situational awareness.
Respond to 911 calls for emergency medical assistance, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or bandaging a wound. Assess a patient's condition and determine a course of treatment. Provide first-aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured patients. Transport patients safely in an ambulance.
Participants must be at least 16 years old when they start EMT certification testing at the end of their course. Participants under 16 may complete EMT training but will be unable to start certification testing until after their 16th birthday. As of October 1, 2019 the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) provides national certification to EMTs 16 and older. Connecticut also provides state certification to EMTS.
EMT is an entry level into the field of Emergency Medical Services. Participants are not required to complete any prerequisite courses prior to beginning EMT.
It depends on your conviction. Please review the NREMT policy on criminal convictions. This policy provides information about whether or not the NREMT will grant registration based upon the severity and type of conviction. Although this policy provides a guide for issuing NREMT registration, it is at the sole discretion of the NREMT to approve or deny an application.
The State of Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services conducts a separate determination as to whether or not to grant certification based upon severity and type of conviction. OEMS will only make their decision when processing a candidate’s application for certification – this is only after the course and all testing has been successfully completed. OEMS does not publish a policy for its decision making nor will they provide an answer as to whether or not they will grant certification until they have a completed application. Please report any prior criminal convictions to your program director prior to the start of training so that we can verify with our clinical sites that they will admit you for this portion of the program.
The State of Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services conducts a separate determination as to whether or not to grant certification based upon severity and type of conviction. OEMS will only make their decision when processing a candidate’s application for certification – this is only after the course and all testing has been successfully completed. OEMS does not publish a policy for its decision making nor will they provide an answer as to whether or not they will grant certification until they have a completed application. Please report any prior criminal convictions to your program director prior to the start of training so that we can verify with our clinical sites that they will admit you for this portion of the program.
In addition to the eligibility requirements listed above, NEIPM candidates will need to pass a reading comprehension test and be prepared to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) review before admission to the program.
Safety
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• EMTs provide basic medical care to patients in the field, including stopping external bleeding, applying neck braces, and administering CPR.
• Many EMTs work for ambulance services, hospitals, and fire and police departments.
• EMTs must complete 120 to 150 hours of training to obtain certification.
• EMTs take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam.
• Most EMT training programs do not award a degree.
Paramedic
• Paramedics provide advanced medical care to patients in the field, including administering medication, inserting IVs, resuscitating patients, and providing breathing support using tubes and ventilation devices.
• In addition to working for employers that hire EMTs, paramedics can work in air ambulances and for other advanced emergency services.
• Paramedics must complete 1,200 to 1,800 hours of training to qualify for certification.
• Paramedics take the NREMT and the National Registry Paramedic cognitive exam.
• Some paramedic training programs offer a two-year degree.
• EMTs provide basic medical care to patients in the field, including stopping external bleeding, applying neck braces, and administering CPR.
• Many EMTs work for ambulance services, hospitals, and fire and police departments.
• EMTs must complete 120 to 150 hours of training to obtain certification.
• EMTs take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam.
• Most EMT training programs do not award a degree.
Paramedic
• Paramedics provide advanced medical care to patients in the field, including administering medication, inserting IVs, resuscitating patients, and providing breathing support using tubes and ventilation devices.
• In addition to working for employers that hire EMTs, paramedics can work in air ambulances and for other advanced emergency services.
• Paramedics must complete 1,200 to 1,800 hours of training to qualify for certification.
• Paramedics take the NREMT and the National Registry Paramedic cognitive exam.
• Some paramedic training programs offer a two-year degree.
Earning a degree, completing required training, and taking the certification exam requires about 2-3 years.
EMTs and paramedics can explore careers as police officers and firefighters. Hospitals also hire EMTs as emergency-room technicians.
