How to become and Emt in Alabama
First step to becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is to learn the basics. US Department of Transportation is responsible for setting standards for both EMT training and licensing. US Department of Transportation allows states to issue licenses as EMT – Basic, EMT – Intermediate, and/or EMT – Paramedic. Alabama offers all three types of licenses; however, before you can train as an Intermediate or Paramedic level Emergency Medical Technician, you must first possess an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic license. This information will detail how to become an EMT Basic in Alabama.
Before you can enroll in an EMT basic course there are some prerequisites you should know about. Every EMT basic course requires you to have CPR training. In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Public Health compiled a list of approved CPR courses. Aspiring EMT Basic students must complete either AHA Health Care Provider, American Red Cross Professional Rescuer, EMP America/Medic First Aid Basic Life Support for Professionals, Heart Smart, INC. CPR for Medical Professionals, Emergency Care and Safety Institute Professional Rescuer CPR, Americna Safety and Health Institute CPR Pro, or National Safety Council-Green Cross Professional Rescuer.
CPR is just one prerequisite to enrolling in an EMT Basic course. Aspiring EMT Basic students must also show proof of immunizations. EMT Basic courses require students to receive such immunizations as Hepatitis B, Tetanus, and MMR. Some EMT Basic courses also require a drug screening. The majority of the EMT Basic courses do not require criminal background checks; however, you should keep in mind that a criminal background check is required before receiving your Alabama EMT Basic license.
Obtaining your EMT-Basic certification requires completing a training program. EMT-Basic training consists of both classroom and practical coursework. EMT-Basic training consists of a minimum of 110 hours of classroom instruction. US DOT regulations state that 100 hours is a minimum requirements and may not include, “…specific education that will be required of EMT-Basics who operate in the field, i.e. ambulance driver training, heavy and light rescue, basic extrication, special needs, and so on.” (EMT-B National Standard Curriculum, n.d.) In Alabama, there are many schools offering EMT-B courses.
University of Southern Alabama Offers a EMT-B certificate. University of Southern Alabama describes this program, “students for careers in pre-hospital emergency medicine and enables graduates of the program to work as emergency medical technicians (EMT’s) in a variety of settings, such as fire departments and public and private ambulance services.” (Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) Certificate Program, n.d.) You can learn more about Southern Alabama University’s EMT program athttp://www.southalabama.edu/ems/emtbasic.html
John C. Calhoun Community College offers an EMT-Basic Program. Calhoun Community College offers a comprehensive program that allows students to receive their EMT certification. If you are considering taking an EMT Basic course in Alabama then you should review their website. Calhoun Community College’s website offers information onEMT Basic application requirements, items students receive the first night of class, textbooks used in the EMT basic course, and information forcompleting CPR requirements.
When searching for an EMT Basic course in Alabama, you need to rely on more than the Internet. While Emergency Medical Services is becoming more computerized, many course providers may not have websites. For instance, EMT Basic courses may be offered by smaller regional training centers or fire districts. The Alabama Department of Public Health's Division of Emergency medical Services and Trauma is required to license all EMT course providers. Their website contains a list of all Alabama EMT Programs.
Learning how to become an EMT in Alabama is very noble. All EMTs provide a necessary service to people injured in accidents or dealing with an illness. All aspiring EMT Basic students should be aware of what this job entails. In Alabama, EMT Basic is the lowest EMT level. Newly licensed EMT Basics can expect to make as little as $9 per hour. New EMT Basics can expect a hazing from more experienced EMTs. The majority of EMTs work long hours in stressful conditions. If this sounds like a job you enjoy then you should contact one of the schools listed above for more information.
ReferencesUS DOT. n.d. EMT-B National Standard Curriculum. Retrieved on May 3, 2010 fromhttp://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/ems/pub/emtbnsc.pdfEmergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) Certificate Program. n.d. University of Southern Alabama. Retrieved on May 5, 2010 fromhttp://www.southalabama.edu/ems/emtbasic.htmlUseful Information For Incoming Students. n.d. Calhoun Community College. Retrieved on May 5, 2010 fromhttp://webnt.calhoun.edu/distance/Internet/Natural/Healthlinks/ems/incoming.htmCommunity Training Center. n.d. Calhoun Community College. Retrieved on May 5, 2010 fromhttp://webnt.calhoun.edu/distance/Internet/Natural/Healthlinks/ems/CTC%20WEBSITE.htmEducation and Testing. n.d. Alabama Department of Public Health Emergency Medical Services and Trauma. Retrieved on May 5, 2010 fromhttp://www.adph.org/ems/Default.asp?id=813
