Become An EMT and Save a Life.
What are you doing with your life? Have you achieved all that you planned on achieving, and you can sit back and relax? Chances are you are probably in almost the same circumstances as most of the rest of the world. You are searching for something that makes life seem worthwhile, and necessary. Have you ever tried saving someone’s life? It takes a lot of work and dedication, but the brave men and women that do it every day more often than not say they would not change it for anything. These people are EMTs or Emergency Medical Technicians. Becoming an EMT is not as simple as some people would have you believe. If you are currently a police officer or fire fighter, you are halfway on the road to being a registered EMT. The survival skills and the basic first aid you were taught is along the same lines as the novice class of EMT. The four levels of EMT training.
Novice or EMT beginner is certified, but does not require registration with the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians).You are taught basic first aid at this level, and mainly assist others that are treating victims at the scene of a crisis. EMT-1 (Basic) requires a certain number of classroom hours with additional hours served in a medical emergency room. Upon successful completion of this level, you will receive certification as an EMT-1 and you will be required to register with the national registry. Your job options are more open at his point, but are limited due to the level of expertise acquired. The skills learned with this level include basic first aid, patient assessment, clearing obstructed airways, bone splints, etc.
EMT-2 or 3 (Intermediate) requires all applicants be registered with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as an EMT-1 following successful completion of that level, and to fulfill an additional number of hours classroom time, as well as additional hours hands on time served in an emergency room at a proper medical facility. The skills learned at this level include those previously mastered in the EMT-1 level, and move to a higher level. They are more in depth, requiring greater skill and thought, a calm manner and presence is imperative due to the stressful conditions you will be working under. EMT-4 (Paramedic) is the highest level you can be certified for as an EMT. This level most usually leads those that have successfully completed it, to physician’s assistants jobs, and some even go further up the medical ladder. The skills acquired at this level are a compilation of those from the other three levels, as well as learning to administer medications, intravenous fluids, emergency surgery to clear blocked airways, treatment of shock, and many other skills. This level EMT is able to assist a doctor, directly or indirectly, and requires the person that has successfully completed the level, to obtain certification, and be registered with the NREMT which must be updated usually every two years. Refresher courses and continuing education are available at every level, in all 50 states in the United States, and also the District of Columbia.
Although it may seem more difficult that what you are thinking of, you cannot compare the benefits with any other job. These jobs, as an EMT, are direct interaction with humanity at its best and worst. You will experience joy and sadness, laughter and tears, but it is the very fabric of life that most people never experience. You have the chance to help people, to change lives everywhere and yes, even to save someone’s life. It is not the circumstances that matter as much, it is the lives and people, and whether or not you can save them. Your have to have the heart to serve the public and want to help those who desperately need it with no rewards in return.
