There are many people who are passionate about the healthcare sector and have always wanted to be a part of it. So, have you considered becoming an EMT? You can build a career relatively easily.
If you have always wanted to work in the healthcare sector, you are one of those incredibly dedicated and committed people who have always wanted to help people in one way or the other. Unfortunately, medical school can be incredibly expensive, and there are a lot of individuals who cannot attend it simply because of this reason.
If you ask us, this is extremely unfair. However, the good news is that there are other alternatives, such as becoming an EMT, that aren’t so amazingly costly. This means that you can still make your dream come true, work in the healthcare sector and help people.
In fact, EMTs are vital medical professionals without whom many people could suffer. They are a type of first responders who provide emergency care to people who are involved in accidents, have a medical condition that makes them incapable of going to the nearest hospital by themselves or are unaware of why they are not feeling well. This is where EMTs come in. Thanks to their medical expertise, and the fact that they can travel promptly to the person who is in great need of medical attention, makes them such an essential part of the healthcare system, with their role being of the utmost importance.
So, if you haven’t already, you should definitely consider becoming an EMT. Suppose you are a passionate individual who dreams of becoming a medical professional but doesn’t have the financial resources to attend medical school. In that case, the career of an EMT is much more accessible and equally rewarding.
Plus, there aren’t strict requirements for attending EMT training classes. If you like the idea of being an EMT, you can have a look at various EMT training programs to understand more about how to apply. Who knows, you may have just discovered the career that suits you like a – surgical – glove.
Now, if we caught your attention and want to learn more about what it means to become an EMT, here are four burning questions, answered:
1. What Are the Necessary Skills to Be An EMT?
Being an EMT is more than just being a medical provider who offers emergency medical attention to whoever needs it. In order to be an EMT, it is of the utmost importance to have many other soft skills that are incredibly necessary for this type of job.
So, together with critical and logical thinking skills that help you study and comprehend the complexity of the human body and what type of care a patient may need, other necessary skills an EMT should have, are as follows:
Great communication: EMTs need to be able to communicate effectively and clearly, given that they will interact with patients who are scared and in shock. For this reason, interpersonal skills are crucial. Besides knowing how to communicate with patients, you also need to work well in a team as you will be paired with a colleague with whom you respond to emergency calls.
Compassion and empathy: As mentioned earlier, as an EMT, you will interact with people who are scared and confused, given that they are involved in an emotionally and physically stressful situation. Therefore, compassion and empathy are crucial skills to make you a better EMT.
Patience and mental strength: The emergencies you witness will differ in severity. But chances are you will be responding to medical emergencies that are pretty complex and serious, and being mentally strong is necessary. For this reason, it is crucial you have patience with every patient who is in shock, apart from being injured, in order to communicate with them.
Physical strength: Last but not least, a crucial skill for an EMT is physical strength. Doing this job also means lifting patients from the ground and placing them on a gurney and other physical actions that require you to have strength.
2. What Qualifications Are Necessary to Become An EMT?
Compared to medical school, becoming an EMT is much more accessible. Besides being significantly less expensive, there aren’t too many qualifications you need to have in order to become an EMT.
For instance, for an EMT training program in Brooklyn, New York, you can enroll provided you are at least 17 years old and are fluent in English. You don’t need to have a university degree or a high school diploma. However, a high school diploma or a GED certification may be necessary in some cases, so it is essential to do your homework beforehand.
3. What Type of Medical Emergency Does EMT Respond To?
If you want to become an EMT, it is vital to know well before you enroll in a training course near you, what type of medical emergency you will be responding to. Indeed, if you are a passionate individual who has always wanted to work in the healthcare sector, chances are you are more or less prepared for this type of job. But it is better to be as prepared as you can before deciding on this career path.
Some of the medical emergencies EMTs respond to include:
Trauma calls, such as vehicle accidents, falls, fight or sports injuries;
Severe allergic reactions;
Heart attacks and strokes;
Complications from diabetes or other chronic health condition;
Septic shock or hypothermia.
EMTs engage in various medical emergencies, so it is crucial to acquire vast knowledge and be professional and incredibly committed to this role.
4. What Does an EMT Training Program Look Like?
You may wonder what is involved in an EMT training program and the type of courses you will be attending. An EMT training program usually lasts between three and five months, depending on the kind of schedule you choose and how fast you want to complete the training.
At the end of the course, you will have learned how to assess patients effectively and communicate with them, manage medical emergencies, and use the tools and equipment EMTs use, such as Basic Life Support. In addition, you will be learning how to do CPR, control bleeding and stabilize fractures.
