Start a Rewarding Career in Emergency Medical Services

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In today’s economy, everyone is looking for stable employment that evades layoffs, while providing steady income and benefits. Why not start a rewarding career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS)? Here is a guaranteed job that not only helps others, but provides job satisfaction, career advancement, and steady income. Our nation is at a critical juncture, with a high demand for EMS professionals and an increased demand on our already taxed EMS delivery system. Jobs for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Paramedics are available nationwide. You will work on in hospitals, on ambulances, air ambulances, at major sporting events, or anywhere people tend to congregate. Jobs are available in big cities, small towns, and rural areas alike, so chances are that you can find a job near you. While the training is intensive, EMT’s can complete training in less than six months, and Paramedics in less than a year, some companies are offering incentives to attract new blood into this profession.

Choose a Certification Level

As a prospective candidate, you need to choose where you want to go. Typically, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) is your starting point for certification. This course, usually conducted over a semester at a community college, is also offered in condensed versions on a 40 hour week schedule. Training includes classroom and practical exercises with a written and practical final exam. Attendance is mandatory; however some schools are offering a portion of the course online, with the student completing the practical training and final testing at an educational facility. Visit the Training Division at http://www.trainingdivision.com/ , a Texas based education provider that is able to work with out of state students. Once training is complete, it is highly recommended that you follow up with National Registry Certification, available from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians at http://www.nremt.org/ . This certification is recognized worldwide, and greatly enhances your ability to work in other states.

By starting as an EMT-B, you will be able to begin working and gaining valuable experience in the field. This will prepare you for the next certifications as an EMT-Intermediate or Paramedic. Both of these levels allow certified personnel to perform advanced skills that an EMT-Basic cannot. EMT-Basic certified personnel typically provide Basic Life Support (BLS), while EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic levels provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) skills. Typical EMT positions start at $10 per hour and up, while EMT-Intermediate and Paramedics can expect $12-15 per hour or more.