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EMS Equipment and Gear

EMT and paramedics used a lot of EMS equipment and gear. Some EMT equipments can only be used by paramedics but most can be used by all EMS personnel. Portable defibrillator, transport incubators, suctions, and infusion pumps are only some of the common EMS equipments used by EMT and paramedic during an emergency response.

There are many more EMS equipment and gear that can be found in an ambulance. And they come in various sizes as well. There are valve masks, splints, portable suctions, blood pressure cups, oxygen kit, head immobilizers, burn sheets, tapes, pen lights, shears, bandages, stethoscopes, gloves, thermometers, and many more.

EMTs use their bag to store essential and most common equipments without the need to leave the patient.

EMS equipments and gears helps EMT and paramedic provide better emergency medical care. Combined with their skills and knowledge, they make a difference in peoples lives.

EMT National Certification

EMT national certification serves as proof that you’ve completed the education requirements of the NREMT. It’s important if you want to be licensed in most state. It also assures the public and employers that you are competent and skilled to work in the emergency medical services field.

It also means you’ve gone through a standard EMT training. And that you’ve passed a valid and uniform process of examination of your knowledge and skills. And you can use those skill and knowledge professionally anywhere in the nation.

EMT national certification also means that it’s easy to work with other EMS personnels anywhere in the nation.

Getting the EMT national certification includes completing a state approved EMT training course and passing the NREMT written and practical exam. There are more than 270,000 nationally certified EMT in the US and millions of EMS professionals has been certified since the inception of the NREMT. They currently certify EMT Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic levels used by 46 states in the United States.

Paramedic Career

Being a paramedic is tough but highly rewarding. A paramedic career may not be for everyone, it’s face paced, intense, and stressful. You need to be calm and collected when making decisions often involving people’s lives. It needs to be fast and accurate at all times.

Paramedics are responsible for providing advanced emergency medical care. They respond to people that are involved in accidents, assaults, strokes, and those with serious injuries. Patient care is also provided in the ambulance while the patient is being transported to the hospital.

When they arrive at the scene, they asses the condition of the patient and medical history. They then give emergency medical care following standardized procedure. When the patient is in serious medical condition, specialists give instructions while transporting the patient to the hospital.

A paramedic career is also physically demanding. It involves lifting heavy loads, kneeling, and working in extreme conditions. The job also involves long irregular hours and potential exposure to diseases. However, if helping others is important to you, you may enjoy a challenging and fulfilling paramedic career.

Paramedic Refresher Course

Paramedic refresher courses are required for your paramedic recertification. It’s part of the recertification requirement by the NREMT to maintain your certification and skills. You must complete 48 hours of approved paramedic refresher course and 24 hours of continuing education in specific subject areas every two years.

You’ll need to cover every mandatory topic in:

  • airway, breathing, and cardiology
  • medical emergencies
  • trauma
  • obstetrics and pediatrics

And there are also topics in the core areas which you’re not required to cover. You can also take refresher courses in ACLS, PALS, other others for additional credits.

You’re allowed to take 10 hours of the required 48 hours of the paramedic refresher course online. The course can cost anywhere starting from $295 to $600.

You’ll still need the signature of your medical director on your recertification form to verify your skills.

Wilderness EMT Training

Wilderness EMT or WEMT are trained to provide emergency medical care in a backcountry. If you work outdoors like park rangers, Wilderness EMT training is important. When emergencies happen in a remote location, it’s nearly impossible to have an immediate emergency response. Wilderness EMT provide the needed medical emergency care where immediate evacuation is not possible.

It’s required that you have a CPR certificate for healthcare providers, proof of immunization, and background check to enroll.

The Wilderness EMT training takes about a month to complete. It involves classroom lectures, practical training, scenarios and mock rescue. You’ll learn how to treat shock, bleeding, sprains, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, burns, and more.

You can take the NREMT certification exam after completing the course. You’ll need to pass the written and practical exam for both the EMT Basic certification and the WEMT certification.

With the skill you acquired during the Wilderness EMT training, you can perform medic duties during expeditions, work with search and rescue teams, commercial vessels, and perform rescue on remote locations.

Tactical EMS Training

Tactical EMS training is designed for law enforcements, military, and special units. You’ll need it if you work in a environment where there’s high risk of life threatening injuries. You can only get this type of training through a tactical emergency training center. And you’ll have to be at least a certified EMT Basic.

During a tactical EMS training, you’ll learn how to respond to medical emergency situations on a high risk environment. Unlike standard emergency calls, these are situations where there’s combat. Those who completed the training will be working with SWAts, special forces, and other military units on their missions.

You’ll be taught basic self-defense, how to rescue officers, and how to support a special response team. The tactical EMS training could take a few weeks to finish. Both hands-on and classroom training will be conducted. The hands-on training will be intensive and one of the reasons it can’t be taken online.

EMT Study Guides

Using EMT study guides is a great way to build and review what you’ve learned during EMT training. It’s valuable resource you can use to pass the certification exam. When you have a lot of information to remember like symptoms and treatments, having a study helps in preparing.

The questions in the NREMT exam are both in multiple choice and practical format. This can cover anything from CPR, airway management, trauma, assessment, patient care, and more. You are only given two hours to finish the exam.

Taking any exam can be stressful specially when you’re not fully prepared. With an EMT study guide, you can prepare and relax during the exam and expect a passing score.

EMT and Paramedic

EMT and Paramedic both respond to calls during an emergency. It’s required for an ambulance to have at least an EMT to work with the paramedic. They both work with other response teams like firemen, police, and rescue workers to quickly deliver medical assistance. They also work with physicians and surgeons to report their assessment and findings in the field.

EMT is the most basic level of certification in the emergency medical services field. While other states may have other levels, in general emergency services personnel starts with being an EMT. They provide basic life support to patients.

Paramedic is the more advanced level of certification in the emergency services field. It takes several years of experience and training to become a paramedic. They provide advanced life support to patients including medication and injecting shots.

In most cases, there are more EMT than paramedics in practice. When more advanced treatment is needed, paramedics are called to provide advanced airway management, administration of IV, or administering specific drugs.

EMT Basic Certification

Getting an EMT Basic certification is an important step in becoming an EMT Basic. You can apply for NREMT certification after you have completed your EMT Basic training. A national certification means you have to knowledge and skills as an EMT Basic.

The NREMT certification exam involves psychomotor and cognitive questions about basic emergency medical care.

Recertification is required and you need to take refresher courses and continuing education to do so. Every state may have their own requirement for recertification and you must also take that into consideration.

Completing an EMT Basic certification makes you eligible to take the EMT Intermediate program. The program will expand on what you know. Being an EMT Intermediate can, you can do more advanced procedures and responsibilities.

EMT Continuing Education

EMT continuing education programs are designed to make your certification current. It is a requirement by most states to accrue a certain number of CE credits for renewing EMT certification.

Make sure the Continuing Education program is accredited and accepted in your state.

Core topics fall into one of the core modules in the National Standard Curriculum which are preparatory, airway, patient Assessment, medical and behavioral, trauma, obstetrics, infants and children.

You can take EMT continuing education online to earn CE credits at your own convenience. You can choose and take courses at your pace and schedule. It’s available to First Responder, EMT Basic, EMT Intermediate, and Paramedic. Most offer trials so you can see for yourself if it’s a good CE program.

EMT Recertification

You’ll need an EMT recertification when your state requires that you maintain an NREMT certificate.

To recertify with the NREMT, you’ll need to be actively working as an EMT. You’ll also need to complete a 24 hours of refresher course and 48 hours of continuing education. Another option is to take the NREMT recertification exam instead of the 72 hour continuing education. Your skills must be verified by the training program director. And you’ll have to submit your CPR certification.

When your certificate expire, you’ll have to recertify. Depending on how long the your certification lapsed, you’ll need to take additional continuing education hours. If the lapse is two years or more, you’ll have to return to complete the core EMT training and pass the NREMT certification exam to complete EMT recertification.

EMT recertification varies from each state. The requirements, the expiration length, and the process can also vary. Know your requirements. Some state doesn’t require NREMT recertification. There are hybrid EMT recertification courses which you can take at your own pace.

EMT Refresher Course

EMT refresher courses is needed to renew your EMT license or certification. You’ll be updated on policy and protocol changes. You’ll get to review what you’ve learn and refresh the information.

You must take the EMT refresher course long before you renew your certification. This will avoid any unnecessary delays in renewing your license.

When you fail to renew your certification/license, you won’t be allowed to work or volunteer as an EMT. You’ll have to wait until you renew.

Refresher courses are ongoing and you can take one as early as 10 months before your EMT card expires. There are also EMT refresher courses online which you can take at your convenience.

It is part of being an EMT to take refresher courses. It’s not only for renewing certification but also for gaining new knowledge and skills. This help advance the emergency medical services field in providing emergency medical care.

Online EMT Training

Online EMT courses gives you the option to learn the lectures online instead of going to a classroom. You must still take the practical training at a medical facility or community college.

You should still check if the online EMT training is accredited before you enroll. It should also meet the national standard and follow the standard curriculum.

Taking an online EMT class is great for people who find it difficult to attend a regular class. You can learn at your own pace and schedule.

You can learn a variety of topics online through videos, pictures, and texts. Some of the topics you’ll cover will include physiology and anatomy, medical terminologies, and many more.

Becoming a Paramedic

Becoming a paramedic takes time. You can’t become a paramedic if you haven’t become an EMT first. Although every state has its own guidelines and qualifications to becoming a paramedic, paramedic training stills takes a couple of years to complete.

The road to becoming a paramedic starts with EMT training. It’s where every emergency medical services personnel starts and only takes several months to complete. After you’ve graduated, you’ll need a state license to work as an EMT Basic.

After a year of working, you’ll have the experience of an EMS personnel. Working in an ambulance is better in preparing you to become a paramedic.

In addition to paramedic training, you’ll also need to take other classes like anatomy and physiology, algebra, and electrocardiography. It’s better to get recommendations from other paramedics to find a good paramedic training program. Paramedic courses can cost up to $10,000 depending on where you live.

How to Get an EMT License

Getting an EMT license involves trainings, exams, and applications. You’ll need to qualify for EMT training, pass written and practical exams, and apply for your state license. This can take from several months to years depending on your level.

The Levels are EMT Basic, EMT Intermediate, and Paramedic. The name can vary from one state to another and they can have other levels as well. Having the needed EMT qualification is important if you want to become an EMT.

Training programs are available in community colleges, vocational schools, and your local fire department. The higher the EMT level you want to attain the longer the EMT training takes.

License or Certificate

Getting licensed is required be the state which you wish to work. It’s basically a license to practice in that state. Some states don’t require EMTs to be nationally certified while others do. EMT certification is given by the National Registry for EMT after you’ve passed their certification exam.

EMT Qualifications

EMT qualifications can vary from state to state. But there are general qualifications you need to have to become an EMT. Some of them are physical and emotional strength, education, and attitude.

EMT requires should be able to carry or lift heavy objects. These could be various medical equipments and patients. You should be in good health in general to properly function in a demanding job. You need to be quick with both actions and decisions. And there are times when you have to deal with extreme weather conditions.

You should also be able to communicate well in English, both oral and written. You’ll receive and report instructions to hospital staffs and physicians.

Being stable emotionally is important in the emergency medical services field where there’s a lot of stress and challenges.

To enroll in an EMT training program or course, you need to have a high school diploma or G.E.D. It’s also required to have a clean background with no criminal records.

EMT Job Description

EMTs and Paramedics provide emergency medical care to sick or injured and transport them to the hospital if necessary.

During an emergency, 911 operators dispatch EMTs and Paramedics to the scene. They often work with other responders like fire fighters and police. At the scene, they asses the patient’s condition and medical history. They provide emergency care and follows procedure for transporting the patient to the nearest medical facility. At the medical facility, they help transfer the patient to the emergency department and give reports to the staff.

They also transport medical patients from one facility to another. Some patients need specialized treatment for their injury and long term care.

They use special equipments like backboards, AED, and other medical equipments. They often work in teams with someone driving and another monitoring the patient’s condition while on transit.

After each run, they clean, restock, and replaces their supplies. They also maintain the ambulance. Keeps it clean and in order.

EMT Schools, Programs, and Courses

EMT schools provide EMT training through EMT programs and courses. An EMT school can be a community college, university, or a private educational institution. They provide courses in pre-hospital care for EMT, Paramedic, First Responder, CPR, Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, and other courses for primary and continuing education of EMS personnel.

EMT programs could include associate degree, certification, or a bachelor’s degree. Most EMT programs needs to be accredited with the state they want their students to get certified. The EMT courses should also be up to date with current standards to provide a strong foundation in emergency care.

EMT schools needs to have access to places where students can have hands on training for their clinical hours. These could be nearby clinical facility, hospital, or an emergency services company.

EMT schools, programs, and courses provide the EMT trainees the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to pass the state or National Registry certification exam. Oftentimes they also have continuing education courses available for certified EMT and Paramedics.

EMT Pants

EMT needs a pair of pants that could last. EMT pants are made from durable materials that are meant to last. Most EMT pants are made from polyester and cotton. They are also coated for protection against stains, wrinkles, and fading. The coating also makes the pants waterproof.

The color of most EMT pants are limited to navy or black. A good pair of EMT pants have an elastic waistband for comfort, padded knees, reinforced crotch, has double hook-and-eye closure and extra stitching at stress points on the seams. Most have several pockets aside from the usual front and back pockets like the cargo or scissor pockets, besom pockets, and more.

Pants for EMT are priced around $30 to $50 for both men and women and come in different sizes. Some of the manufacturers include Propper, Blauer, Rothco, and Chief Supply to name a few.

EMT pants needs to be comfortable, tough, and able to protect its wearer. They feature designs that help the EMTs and Paramedics do their job.

EMT and First Responder

First Responders are most basic emergency medical services personnel that can be certified. Some states have it while others start at the EMT Basic level of certification as the most basic EMS provider.

EMT and First Responders have the same role in an emergency situation. They assess the situation and provide emergency care to stabilize the patient’s condition until further treatment can be given.

First Responders need to complete 40+ hours of training while EMT Basic needs more than 120 hours of EMT training. The areas included in the curriculum includes CPR, bleeding control, stabilizing fracture, childbirth, administering oxygen, and more. They also need to take the state certification or NREMT exam to get certified.

Most first responders are employed as part of the first response team in an industrial setting. Some are volunteers in their local community.

EMT compared to First Responders has more knowledge and training. EMTs can also work in an ambulance to transport the patient to the hospital.