How To Become an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic

What degree do you need

One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Emergency Medical Technicians or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Emergency Medical Technicians what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics must complete a postsecondary educational program. Both a high school diploma or equivalent and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification are prerequisites for most postsecondary educational programs in emergency medical technology. Paramedics require a more advanced level of education. They must complete EMT and Advanced EMT levels of instruction, along with courses in advanced medical skills. Community colleges and technical schools may offer these programs, which require about 1,200 hours of instruction and may lead to an associate’s degree.

How hard is it

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic. For example, an electrician must complete three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Careers in this difficulty category will usually need 1 or 2 years of on-the-job training and informal training with experienced workers. These careers usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Similar careers include hydroelectric production managers, travel agents, electricians, court reporters, and medical assistants.

License and certifications

All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state. In most states, an individual who has NREMT certification qualifies for licensure. In others, passing an equivalent state exam is required. Usually an applicant must be over the age of 18. Many states require background checks and may not give a license to an applicant who has a criminal history.

Skills required

We asked other Emergency Medical Technicians if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

Knowledge required

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Emergency Medical Technicians are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

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