As you probably know, an emergency medical technician, EMT, is a person who has been trained to respond to medical emergencies. People who have received EMT training are usually the first ones to arrive on the scene of a medical emergency. People employed in this line of work have gone through rigorous training at an EMT school in order to receive a certification that indicates they are qualified to administer CPR and basic first aid.
There are four different EMT classifications. The classification that an emergency medical technician receives is based on the level of training he or she received at their EMT school. The training for this line of work can take anywhere between six months to two years; the length of time is dependent upon the classification an individual is trying to obtain.
EMT School Provides Various Levels Of Training
EMT 1s are usually the first technicians that arrive to a medical emergency. Their job is to help keep the patient as stabilized as possible until more help can arrive. In addition, this level of training is required before an individual can receive any type of training for the other classifications at an EMT school. There are several things that an individual will learn if he or she chooses to get this level of EMT training at an EMT school. He or she will learn how to:
• perform a basic physical exam
• assess trauma
• administer medication
• administer oxygen
• administer CPR
Training for EMT 2 or 3 classifications is considered to be intermediate training. Individuals who have received this type of training at an EMT school have been taught how to use defibrillators, in order to shock a person’s heart back to a more natural rhythm, and they know how to put someone, who has neck or back injuries, onto a backboard. Their ability to perform thorough medical exams and provide accurate assessments is valuable when a patient is being transported.
EMT School Is A Requirement For A Paramedic
An EMT 4 is someone who has received specialized training at an EMT school. This person is referred to as a paramedic. Because of their ability to perform fairly complex procedures, they are qualified to administer pain medication and provide assistance if a person is having heart problems. They can also perform invasive procedures, like tracheotomies and intubations, to preserve a patient’s airway. The level of information that an EMT 4 is able to provide helps the medical staff at a hospital emergency room better prepare for a patient’s arrival, especially if the medical emergency is critical.
All EMT’s, no matter the classification, are required to receive training at an EMT school. The amount of time spent training is dependent upon the type of EMT classification a person desires. The EMT 1 classification requires the least amount of training, usually about six months, and is a requirement for anyone who wants a higher classification. People wanting to obtain a higher EMT classification level can expect to spend several years in school; however, they will be able to perform a wider range of medical procedures.