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Becoming an EMT is a good career choice in that it is a subdivision of the medical industry, which is one of the fastest growing as well as one of the most stable industries at the moment. This stability is also unlikely to change. EMTs will be deeded and employed as long as medical emergencies occur, and there are a large number of excellent EMT programs in California for you to choose from if you are interested in entering the health care profession through this particular doorway. Programs in this discipline do not take long to complete, making it a speedy way to begin a career in healthcare.
How To Become An EMT In California
California Career Requirements For EMTs
The basic requirements for being an EMT in California are as follows:
- Education Level: completion of an EMT training program, often available through junior colleges.
- Licensure and Certification: CPR certification, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification, and state EMT-Basic licensing filed through county of employment.
- Experience: 120 hours in the classroom and at least 10 hours clinical experience in the field.
- Key Skills: Able to work in stressful situations, empathetic to patients, good communication skills, problem solver, and ability to follow patient safety protocols.
- Technical Skills: Knowledge of automated external defibrillators, oxygen tanks, gurneys, patient restraints, and ambulance equipment.
- Additional Requirements: Be at least 18 years of age and fulfill any additional county licensing requirements.
Step 1: Get A High School Diploma And CPR Certification
The basic requirements for becoming an EMT in California involve getting a high school diploma and CPR certification. Both of these are necessary to demonstrate that you have the basic academic and medical skills necessary to perform your duties as an EMT. If you are still in high school now, a good tip is to take biology as a subject as this will prepare you for the work you will learn in your EMT course.
Step 2: Complete EMT-Basic Training
Training is offered by community colleges and vocational schools. In order to become an EMT after having completed a training course you must attend one that is approved by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). Courses may differ slightly in terms of content, but it is essential that the course you attend covers the following basic EMT aspects:
- Strategies for identifying illness symptoms
- Strategies for stabilizing trauma patients
- Strategies for transporting patients
- Protocols for communicating with other medical personnel
Other basic topics will also be included depending on the course that you choose to attend.
Step 3: Take The NREMT Exam
In California it is necessary to take the test offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) in order to become a license EMT. When studying for the test, make sure that you make use of the following resources:
- EMT training manuals
- Updated CPR guidelines (as determined by the AHA)
- Any additional exam preparation texts
To take the test you need to complete one of the EMT programs in California and be at least 18 years old. Passing the test will mean that you are a certified and registered EMT with the right to practice as such in California.
Step 4: Meet California Licensing Requirements
You must then register with the emergency medical services (EMS) agency within your county. Different counties may have different rules regarding eligibility requirements for registration, so it is up to you to determine whether or not you will be able to meet those requirements. Generally speaking it is considered wise to contact the emergency medical services (EMS) agency within your county in order to determine well ahead of time what you will need to do in order to become licensed as an EMT in the state of California. Preparing ahead in this way can save you time later on.
Step 5: Get Hired
The next step is to find a job as an EMT. It is a field that is always looking for new employees. The following are the more common industries in which to work as an EMT in California:
- Ambulance companies employ about 48% of EMTs in California
- Hospitals and other private businesses employ about 17% of EMTs in California
- Local government agencies employ about 29% of EMTs in California
Being an EMT-basic will allow to work in California, but if you advance to EMT-intermediate level you will have even more employment opportunities to choose from.
List Of EMT Programs In California
California is one of the best states in which to become an EMT. This is because there are a large number of EMT programs in California that you could attend in order to become qualified in this regard. Ensure that the program that you choose has a good reputation and that it is accredited and certified appropriately.
Allan Hancock College
Location: Santa Maria
Degree: Associates’
American River College
Location: Sacramento
Degree: Associates’
Antelope Valley College
Location: Lancaster
Degree: Associates’
Bakersfield College
Location: Bakersfield
Degree: Associates’
Barstow Community College
Location: Barstow
Degree: Associates’
Butte College
Location: Oroville
Degree: Associates’
Cabrillo College
Location: Aptos
Degree: Associates’
Cerritos College
Location: Norwalk
Degree: Associates’
Cerro Coso Community College
Location: Ridgecrest
Degree: Associates’
Chabot College
Location: Hayward
Degree: Associates’
Citrus College
Location: Glendora
Degree: Associates’
City College of San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
Degree: Associates’
College of Marin
Location: Kentfield
Degree: Associates’
College of the Canyons
Location: Santa Clarita
Degree: Associates’
College of the Desert
Location: Palm Desert
Degree: Associates’
College of the Sequoias
Location: Visalia
Degree: Associates’
College of the Siskiyous
Location: Weed
Degree: Associates’
Columbia College
Location: Sonora
Degree: Associates’
Contra Costa College
Location: San Pablo
Degree: Associates’
Copper Mountain Community College
Location: Joshua Tree
Degree: Associates’
Cosumnes River College
Location: Sacramento
Degree: Associate’s
Crafton Hills College
Location: Yucaipa
Degree: Associate’s
Cuesta College
Location: San Luis Obispo
Degree: Associate’s
East Los Angeles College
Location: Monterey Park
Degree: Associate’s
El Camino College
Location: Torrance
Degree: Associate’s
Foothill College
Location: Los Altos Hills
Degree: Associate’s
Fresno City College
Location: Fresno
Degree: Associate’s
Glendale Community College
Location: Glendale
Degree: Associate’s
Imperial Valley College
Location: Imperial
Degree: Associate’s
Lake Tahoe Community College
Location: South Lake Tahoe
Degree: Associate’s
Las Positas College
Location: Livermore
Degree: Associate’s
Loma Linda University
Location: Loma Linda
Degree: PhD
Long Beach City College
Location: Long Beach
Degree: Associate’s
Los Medanos College
Location: Pittsburg
Degree: Associate’s
Mendocino College
Location: Ukiah
Degree: Associate’s
Merced College
Location: Merced
Degree: Associate’s
Merritt College
Location: Oakland
Degree: Associate’s
Modesto Junior College
Location: Modesto
Degree: Associate’s
Monterey Peninsula College
Location: Monterey
Degree: Associate’s
Moorpark College
Location: Moorpark
Degree: Associate’s
Mount Jacinto College
Location: San Jacinto
Degree: Associate’s
Mt San Antonio College
Location: Walnut
Degree: Associate’s
Napa Valley College
Location: Napa
Degree: Associate’s
Orange Coast College
Location: Costa Mesa
Degree: Associate’s
Pacific Union College
Location: Angwin
Degree: Master’s
Palo Verde College
Location: Blythe
Degree: Associate’s
Palomar College
Location: San Marcos
Degree: Associate’s
Pasadena City College
Location: Pasadena
Degree: Associate’s
Rio Hondo College
Location: Whittier
Degree: Associate’s
Riverside Community College
Location: Riverside
Degree: Associate’s
Saddleback College
Location: Viejo
Degree: Associate’s
San Joaquin Delta College
Location: Stockton
Degree: Associate’s
Santa Ana College
Location: Santa Ana
Degree: Associate’s
Santa Barbara City College
Location: Santa Barbara
Degree: Associate’s
Santa Rosa Junior College
Location: Santa Rosa
Degree: Associate’s
Sierra College
Location: Rocklin
Degree: Associate’s
Skyline College
Location: San Bruno
Degree: Associate’s
Solano Community College
Location: Fairfield
Degree: Associate’s
Taft College
Location: Taft
Degree: Associate’s
University of Antelope Valley
Location: Lancaster
Degree: Bachelor’s
Ventura College
Location: Ventura
Degree: Associate’s
Victor Valley College
Location: Victorville
Degree: Associate’s
Yuba College
Location: Marysville
Degree: Associate’s
There are a large number of EMT programs in California to choose from. When choosing a program of this kind it is important to consider the reputation as well as the accreditation status of the school that offers the program. After that it is worth your while to compare different schools in terms of the tuition fees that you will need to pay and the distance of the school from where you live. The school’s ability to adequately prepare you for the licensing examination in California is also an essential aspect to keep in mind.