About Being A CNA

CNA Duties

As a CNA you will be responsible for the basic healthcare needs of the patient population for which you are in charge of caring. Generally speaking you will be the member of the healthcare team who has the lowest level of education and expertise, but that just means that there is plenty of room for improvement. As a CNA you will usually work with individuals and help them to function to the best of their ability. Some of the basic tasks that a CNA will perform include the following:

• Checking blood pressure
• Checking oxygen levels
• Helping individuals with hygiene
• Helping individuals with food intake
• Helping individuals with hydration
• Changing bandages

Usually a CNA’s duties will be limited to basic care and they will have to work under the supervision of a nurse with advanced qualifications in the field, such as an LPN or even an RN.

CNA Training

There are two main aspects to CNA training, namely:

• Theoretical book works, and
• Hands-on training

Both are equally essential. The test that you need to pass to become a CNA is one that is based largely on theoretical knowledge that you will need to read and digest. All of the questions will be based on theory knowledge. On the other hand, because nursing is such a hands-on career, there will also be a high concentration of clinical and practical experience. You will need this in order to be able to fully understand the theory work. In addition you will need to be able to show proof that you have completed a certain number of hours of clinical experience in order to become certified at the end of the day.

Both of these aspects should be included in any fast track CNA training program and it is worth your while to look into the many options of this kind that are available so that you can complete your training and join the workforce as quickly as you possibly can.

Fast Track CNA Courses

There are a number of fast track CNA courses that are in fact paid opportunities. In many private care facilities you can work as a CNA and get all of the training and experience that you need on the job. Facilities that have these training programs include:

• Nursing homes
• Group homes
• Home health care companies

The biggest advantage here is that you can work as a CNA and earn money while learning at the same time. This is an instant way to join the workforce.

If you have another job that you would like to hold onto until your training is complete, or if you cannot gain entrance to a fast track program of this kind, it is suggested that you attend evening or online classes. These classes will take anything from 6 to 12 weeks to complete and the quicker the program is, the more it is likely to cost you in terms of tuition fees. This is a very important aspect to consider when looking into CNA training.

Who Should Do A Fast Track CNA Course?

Fast track CNA courses are not for everyone. In fact you should only consider a fast track course if you meet the following two requirements:

• You are an individual who already has some of the general knowledge of the skills required to be a CNA.
• You are an individual who wants to be certified within weeks so you can begin working as a CNA.

If there is no urgency in your particular case to begin working as soon as possible, you may prefer to consider a program that will take a little longer to complete as these programs give you more time to consider the work you are learning and really become familiar with it. In addition if you do not already have a fairly good idea of what you will need to do once you are a CNA you may find that a fast track CNA course is not the one that will be most beneficial for you. The reason why it is fast track is because the conveners assume that you already know many of the concepts involved.

Purpose

The main purpose of a fast track CNA course is to prepare you as quickly and effectively for the CNA certification exam as possible. The exam that you need to take will consist of two sections:

• A knowledge based test on 55 multiple-choice questions about anatomy, physiology, nutrition, body mechanics, ethics, patient rights, nutrition and the skills of a CNA.

• A clinical examination on five of the 24 clinical skills of a CNA, such as assisting a patient walking, checking vitals or feeding a patient.

Some people believe that it is not possible for all students with all personality types to be properly prepared for these examinations unless they engage in a traditional course. This may be true, and success in a fast track CNA course depends, to a large degree, on your personal ability to complete a course such as that successfully an efficiently. Many people struggle with the intensity of the course. In addition these courses can be more expensive than traditional courses.

Features

In order to become certified as a CNA you need to attend a program that is at least 75 hours long. In other words, you must have 75 contact hours under your belt before you can become qualified in this regard. An important point to note is that a fast track CNA course will mostly likely only meet the minimum number of hours required in order to for you to become certified. This means that you cannot miss a single lesson. Generally speaking, before you begin a fast track CNA course, you will be informed regarding whether or not the course requires 100% attendance. Because of the nature of the course this is almost always the case. In summary, you will not be able to become a CNA successfully through one of the fast track CNA courses on offer unless you are dedicated and make an effort to attend every single lesson and lecture that the course entails. If you miss a class, or even leave a lesson early, you may be expelled and students seldom receive refunds in these cases.

Considerations And Warnings

CNAs have the largest degree of contact with patients on a daily basis. Therefore they must meet the following requirements:

• CNAs must be comfortable with giving CPR
• CNAs must be comfortable with giving epinephrine injections

It is important to note that, in a fast track course, these aspects of your training may only be touched on once or twice at the most. In a longer and more comprehensive and traditional course you will be given multiple opportunities to learn and practice tasks such as these in order to ensure that you will be properly prepared for your job as a CNA when you graduate from the program.

Another thing to keep in mind is that these programs usually do not guarantee that you will pass the certification examination. The work is covered very briefly and you will need to engage in a large degree of self study in order to be properly prepared. In addition these courses can be more expensive. It is up to you to weigh up the pros and cons of fast track CNA courses and make a decision regarding whether or not they are worth it.

CNA Wages And Advancement

As a CNA the average hourly rate that you can earn is about $8.42 – $14.21. If you factor in overtime of $5.54 – $21.04 and a possible annual bonus of between $0.00 and $505, the overall salary range for a CNA is about $17,614 – $31,119 a year. Other factors can affect you salary. For example your choice of employer can play a role:

• HCR Manor Care Inc pays about $8.99 – $12.95 an hour
• Golden Living Centers pay about $8.30 – $13.92 an hour
• Life Care Centers of America pay about $8.65 – $14.17 an hour
• Kindred Healthcare pay about $8.79 – $14.42 an hour
• Home Health and Hospice Care pay about $8.13 – $12.70 an hour

There are also a number of industries that are more popular than others which also tend to pay different rates to CNAs. In a nursing home you can earn about $8.35 – $13.39, an hour, in a hospital you can earn about $8.76 – $15.17 on an hourly basis, in healthcare you can earn about $8.70 – $14.84 an hour, in the Health Care Services you can earn about $8.62 – $14.46, and in home health care settings you can earn about $7.93 – $13.20 an hour.

Men can earn slightly more than women at about $9.49 – $12.29 an hour in comparison to $9.36 – $12.24 an hour.

Another factor that plays a role is your level of education:

• With an Associate’s Degree you can earn about $8.76 – $14.27 an hour
• With a Bachelor’s Degree you can earn about $8.44 – $14.32 an hour
• With a GED or High School Diploma you can earn about $8.42 – $14.04 an hour
• With a Certificate (Cert), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) you can earn about $8.54 – $13.47 an hour
• With a High School Diploma you can earn about $8.27 – $14.12 an hour

Different cities tend to pay different wages. The 20 cities with the best hourly rates for CNAs are:

• Seattle, Washington
• St. Paul, Minnesota
• Washington, District of Columbia
• San Jose, California
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Allentown, Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Sacramento, California
• Portland, Oregon
• Madison, Wisconsin
• New York, New York
• Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Denver, Colorado
• Portland, Maine
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Sarasota, Florida

These are the salary opportunities that fast track CNA courses will give you access to.

Online CNA Courses

Although you will still need to make time to complete your hands-on training at an appropriate facility, it may be possible to complete your CNA training online. This could fast track your career path in that you will not have to work according to a classroom schedule but rather at your own speed. You can also put in extra work at night or after hours which will allow you to complete the online program more speedily. However these programs are certainly not for everyone. This requires a high level of self-motivation and dedication to the task. As you will probably be doing this on top of your day job, you may find that you are too tired to give the program your all. Many students need the guidance of a teacher or lecturer in order to do their best on a training program, and this will simply not be available if you are studying online.

Becoming a CNA will open up the door for you to advance in the nursing profession. Once you have a feel for the industry you will be able to decide whether you would like to go on to become an LPN, or perhaps even an RN in the nursing profession. Fast Track CNA Courses may be the best option to help you jump start your career in this line of work, but you must select such programs carefully.

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What Is A CNA?

A CNA is a nurse that does the absolute basics under the supervision of a more advanced nursing professional, such as an LPN or RN. Other names that you might have heard for CNAs include a Nursing Assistant, a Nursing Auxiliary, an Auxiliary Nurse, a Nurse Aide, a Home Health Aide, a Patient Care Assistant, a Patient Care Technician, a Geriatric Aide, a Psychiatric Aide, a Nurse Technician, or a Healthcare Support Worker. The main things that CNAs do include assisting patients with their daily activities such as bathing, dressing, feeding, grooming, and walking, observing patient’s behavior and reporting anything out of the ordinary, taking vital signs, such as the blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiratory rates, assisting patients on mobilization and transferring, assisting in feeding and meal preparation, and last but not least assisting patients in their personal hygiene. These are all of the things that a CNA course will prepare you for. Good CNA programs are ones that contain all of the knowledge you need to be an effective and successful CNA in real life, so choose your CNA course carefully.

How Much Do CNA Programs Cost?

There are a great many things that affect the cost of programs such as:

• The state that you choose to study in.
• Whether or not the CNA program you attend is state funded or privately funded.
• The reputation of the school.
• The type of educational facility and/or program that you are enrolled in.
• The qualification offered by the CNA course.

That said it can be seen that on average the cost of certified nursing assistant program varies from amount $400 to about $1500. This is quite a big difference and can have a big effect on whether or not you are willing to enrol in that particular course. There are however financial aid options available for people wanting to nursing assistant programs, so if you are interested in getting your foot in the door of the medical field, don’t give up simply because you do not have the funds to study. There is a shortage of nursing professionals, so people are willing to try and solve this problem by providing aid to students who want to do CNA programs and CNA courses.

The Average Length Of A CNA Course

Most programs are quite short with the longest ones being no more than about 12 weeks in total. During this time you will have to do both clinical and theoretical training, both of which are essential if you want to become a certified nursing aid. CNA courses that do not include clinical practice are probably going to be a waste of time. This is because it is essential that you complete this aspect of your training in order to become properly certified and in order to be ready to work as a CNA in a real situation. The shorter the CNA program is that you choose to enrol in the higher the chances are that you will not be given the clinical training necessary to pass the examination. CNA programs need to give you this clinical training. This important factor simply cannot be stressed enough. Shorter certified nursing assistant programs may seem very attractive to you, but how do you know that you are being properly prepared? Rather spend the little extra time and get a good qualification from one of the better programs that are out there.

CNA Programs: Coursework

There are a number of very basic skills and subjects that you will learn during most CNA programs, such as anatomy and physiology, body mechanics, communication, infection control, nutrition, personal care skills, and resident rights, among other topics. These topics will be covered through the practical and theoretical aspects of certified nursing assistant programs, so this is why it is important that you find a CNA course that provides exhaustive training in both aspects. There are a lot of programs available out there but not all of them provide the coursework you need to successfully become registered. Remember that you will have to pass an examination in order to become a CNA. This means that you want to consider only those nursing assistant programs that will prepare you properly for this. You can check on this by considering whether or not the questions you are likely to receive in the exam match up with what you are likely to learn on the CNA course you attend. Good CNA programs will obviously prepare you well for what is to come, and bad or average CNA courses will not provide adequate preparation.

What You Can Do As A CNA?

CNAs are permitted to work in the following settings once they have gone through one of the accredited programs available:

• Hospitals
• Nursing centres
• Residential care centers
• Mental health facilities
• Patients’ homes

In addition the completion of a CNA program will allow you to perform the following tasks in one of the above mentioned settings (although tasks can vary from setting to setting rather significantly):

• Take vital signs
• Help patients eat, bathe, dress, and walk
• Reposition patients in their beds
• Change bedpans and bed linens
• Observe patients and report changes to supervisors
• Serve meals
• Tidy patients’ room
• Escort patients to other parts of the facility
• Help set up equipment and stock supplies

These are the paces that certified nursing assistant programs will allow you to work in as well as the tasks that you will be taught to perform. This is not for everybody, so if you are unsure about the settings you will have to work in or things you will have to do then you may want to consider another line of work.<

CNA Program Requirements

There are a lot of certified nursing assistant programs out there, but you will be glad to hear that generally speaking the admission requirements for a CNA course are far less stringent then what you would have to go through to get into one of the more advanced nursing programs. This is great especially as nursing assistant programs can serve as stepping stones to more advanced qualifications.

You will have to present your high school diploma or your GED qualification if you want to enrol in most CNA programs. This is one of the basic requirements that you will have to comply with in order to enrol in most CNA courses.

However there are also some programs that do not require that you have a high school diploma or GED. In order to get into a CNA program such as this you merely have to have passed the Test for Adult Basic Education. This means that you have the option of becoming a CNA without a high school qualification.

There is also an age requirement for certified nursing assistant programs. You have to be 18 years or older to enrol in a program.

Becoming An LPN Or RN

Once you have a CNA qualification form one of the many CNA programs available you will be able to use it as a stepping stone for becoming an LPN or RN in the future. A little known fact is that after you have completed a CNA course you may be able to do a CNA to LPN or CNA to RN qualification and thereby expand your career options in the nursing field. There are a number of advantages to doing this:

• You will be eligible for a much higher salary if you first attend one of the nursing assistant programs and then use that as a stepping stone to do a CNA to LPN or RN program.
• You will be able to advance in the medical profession until you are at a much higher level than you ever imagined possible.
• You will have higher self-esteem.

These programs can take a few years to complete, but they are worth it. Many can be done part-time while you continue working as a CNA. There are also a number of financial aid options available for nurses who want expand the basic knowledge learned in their CNA programs.

Online Nursing Assistant Programs

There are also a number of online programs that you may want to consider enrolling in. This option is far more convenient and online CNA courses also tend to be a whole lot cheaper than normal classroom based face-to-face options.

An important thing to remember is that it is not possible to do your entire training through an online CNA program. This is because it is impossible, as I am sure you will understand, to do the clinical work necessary to become a CNA through CNA programs that are offered solely online. Be careful about certified nursing assistant programs that claim to offer complete certification online. There has to be some or other structure in place somewhere along the way that allows for you to complete the necessary clinical training.

However, that being said, there are a number of credible online programs available so do not reject this option off the bat. You just need to take the time necessary to find the best online CNA course for you.

Another thing to remember is that not everyone can benefit well from online CNA programs, so make sure you are someone who can before making the decision to enrol.

Some Schools That Offer CNA Courses

There are plenty of schools out there offering great CNA programs, but some of the best of these schools offering these nursing assistant programs are:

• Baker College Online
• DeVry University
• Duke University
• John Hopkins University
• Kaplan University
• Keiser University
• Oregon Health and Science University
• South University
• The University of Washington
• The University of California
• The University of Michigan
• The University of North Carolina
• The University of Pennsylvania
• The University of Phoenix
• The University of Pittsburgh
• Yale University

When choosing a from among the many programs available you should keep a few things in mind. Firstly you should consider the location of the various CNA curses that you are interested in. The closer the curse the less you will have to pay in travel costs. You will also have to consider the cost of the CNA program and decide whether or not you will need financial aid in order to fund your studies at that particular school.

CNA Personality Requirements

There are a number of personality requirements that it is suggested that you have before you decide to enrol in CNA programs. These are:

• Great communication skills
• An ability to multitask
• An ability to work as part of a health care team
• An ability to take direction from doctors and nursing supervisors
• Patience
• Compassion
• Understanding
• A strong desire to help others

These are things that simply cannot be taught in certified nursing assistant programs, so you will have to have a natural aptitude in these areas before deciding to enrol in a CNA course. If you feel that you do not have the right personality for the job then you should definitely reconsider your decision to attend one of the many nursing assistant programs on offer as you will struggle to function as a CNA in a hospital or other health care setting if you do not meet the personality requirements right from the beginning.

Right, so now you have all of the information you need in order to make your decision regarding whether or not certified nursing assistant programs are for you. There are a lot of things to take into consideration, but if you want a stable job in a stable industry, there are worse things that you could do then engaging in a CNA program and becoming certified as a nursing assistant as there are many opportunities that this will open for you.

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What Size School Would You Prefer?

This is quite an important question to consider when trying to decide between the various pharmacy technician programs out there. To answer this question you need to take a long hard look at yourself and your preferences. Would you do better in a small school where you can get to know everybody, or would you function better if you were in a large school where the option to disappear into the crows is always available. Maybe you would prefer a large pharmacy technician program for purely social reasons. Perhaps you look forward to the prospect of meeting new people during your studies. Or perhaps you want to keep to yourself and not mingle very much at all. These are all things to consider when choosing pharmacy technician programs.

What Type Of Qualification Would Be Ideal For You?

There are a number of different qualifications that you could get in order to work as a certified pharmacy technician, so the type of qualification you want will affect which pharmacy technician programs you should consider. For example if you want a certificate in pharmacy technician work then you should consider only those pharmacy technician programs that offer certificates. In some cases you could go as far as getting a PHD that will help you to get a pharmacy technician job. It really depends on how far you want to go in terms of the qualification that you would like to pursue. Look into this and think about it carefully before making your decision.

Would You Prefer To Be In Big Classes Or Small Classes?

This may be related to the size of the school, but this is not always the case. You may, for example, have the option in a large pharmacy technician program to attend small tutorial groups rather than huge auditorium classes, so it really depends on what number of people you are comfortable being around. Different pharmacy technician programs may offer differently sized classes, so knowing what size class you are happy to attend ahead of time will make your choice between the numerous pharmacy technician programs available a whole lot easier to manage. This depends to a certain degree on how outgoing or introverted you are. Try and imagine the situation to see what classes you would be comfortable with.

What Sort Of Curriculum Does The Pharmacy Technician Course Offer?

The curriculum that the various pharmacy technician programs under your consideration provide is extremely important. You need to be sure that you are attending a pharmacy technician program that will properly prepare you not only for the exam, but also for life in general. This means that you should try and find out what sort of experiences past pupils have had and perhaps even compare the curriculum to the content of the various practice exam papers that are available out there. If you are attending pharmacy technician programs that are not preparing you in this way, than you are wasting your time and your money on a course that may not get you anywhere at all. Be careful about this.

What Location Is Important To You?

Think long and hard about where you would like the pharmacy technician program to be located. Are you going to be able to afford to commute to the pharmacy technician program every day, or will you need to attend a program that is close by? You may also be hoping to work as a pharmacy technician in another state. Now, pharmacy technician certification rules are not strict or rigid, so you should be able to work in most states with most credentials, but if you would prefer to move to the state of your choice in order to be sure, then this is something you need to consider during your selection from among the many pharmacy technician programs.

Would You Be Able To Handle Online Pharmacy Technician Courses?

There are a number of pharmacy technician programs that are in fact offered online. This can be far more convenient and deletes the problem of location form the equation entirely. So, the question is, are you the kind of person who can handle pharmacy technician programs? This type of program requires a lot of self-study. If you are studying online because you have a job you may need to study late into to the night to get a handle on all of the topics that must be covered. If you are someone who works well on your own and who likes to set our own pace, then this would be a perfect option from you. If you lack time management skills, avoid pharmacy technician online programs.

What Sort Of Students Would You Like To Mix With?

If you want to hang out with students that are in many ways very similar to you, then you should look into the demographics of the pharmacy technician programs that you are considering. The same goes if you are keen to meet with and interact with a variety of new and interesting people who you would otherwise not have met. If you get on well with everybody, or if you simply don’t care what kind f people the other students in the various pharmacy technician programs you are considering are likely to be, then his step can be skipped during your pharmacy technician program selection process. This can be important, so take some time to think about it.

How Much Practical Experience Do The Pharmacy Technician Programs Give You?

It is much easier to learn if you are giving practical experience. If part of the pharmacy technician program takes place in an actual pharmacy you will retain the necessary information far more easily than if you simply read a textbook. Hands-on experience is very valuable. Therefore, when you are choosing between pharmacy technician programs, move those pharmacy technician schools that place higher emphasis on hands-on experience to the top of your list as they are more likely to bring you success in your pharmacy technician career. Remember that online pharmacy technician programs often do not provide any hands-on experience at all, so you need to decide whether or not you are willing to take the risk of attending one.

How Much Money Do You Have For The Pharmacy Technician Program?

Funds are an important question to consider. If you are in a tight financial position then you may want to consider those pharmacy technician programs that offer financial aid. There are several colleges and vocational schools that may have financial aid structures in place. You may also want to consider looking into only those pharmacy technician programs that are cheap. In this case you may find that online programs are a better option, but there are a lot of other things to consider as well. Remember that expensive doesn’t always mean good quality, and that cheap doesn’t always mean bad quality. There are a more factors that should be taken into account above and beyond the financial ones.

Are You Going To Have To Get Scholarships Or A Job?

If you are concerned about the fees, you may have to consider if you are going to need to look for a scholarship or perhaps even get a job. If you need to work at the same time that you are studying you should limit your search to those pharmacy technician programs that will allow or you to have a flexible schedule that can accommodate your job. Online pharmacy technician programs often meet this criterion. There are also a large number of scholarship opportunities available out there to those willing to take the time to look for them. It may be a good idea for you to look into those options if you are worried that your financial position will hold you back.

Remember that programs that suit your best friend may not suit you as everyone comes from a different background and everyone has a different way of learning and studying. A lot of research should be done if you are serious about this. You should look into the various pharmacy technician programs very carefully. This is a decision that will affect your future for a long time to come, so you want to choose form the best pharmacy technician programs possible. It is not a decision that should be made lightly or quickly, but rather one that requires a lot of thought.

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EMTs and Paramedics are usually sent to the scene of a disaster, accident or violent assault by 911 operators, and it is their job to asses, treat and stabilize the patient or patients prior to moving them to a hospital by ambulance or helicopter. The EMT will also continue to monitor and keep the patient stable during transit.

EMT Basic Job Description

When an emergency situation such as a fire, accident, violent assault, sports injury, heart attack or stroke occurs, the first people that are usually dispatched to the scene are EMS services including First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians and/or Paramedics.

The basic duty of the EMT is to provide initial life-saving medical care, determining the most suitable medical facility for the patient to be transported to and then transporting the patient.

The basic job description of an Emergency Medical Technician

Patient Assessment – The first thing that the Emergency Medical Technician does when they get to an emergency scene is to assess the condition of the patient. They determine the nature and the extent of the injury or medical condition (in the case of a heart attack or stroke for instance). They also check for identification, medical alert bracelets or necklaces and whether the patient is carrying any medication.

Basic Life Support – It is the duty of the EMT to provide basic life-support including ventilating the patient if necessary, airway management, applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of an automatic defibrillator. This includes monitoring the patient and keeping them stabilized during transit.

Additional Care – Additional pre-hospital care such as controlling any bleeding, treating the patient for shock, bandaging wounds and immobilizing broken bones may also be required in order to stabilize the patient before transporting them to a hospital.

Communication with Dispatch – The EMT stays in touch with their dispatch, keeping them apprised of the situation and requesting back-up should the situation require it.

Ambulance Maintenance – Once the patient has been handed over to the medical personnel at a hospital the EMT will ensure that the ambulance is tidied up, cleaned and disinfected if necessary and re-stocked so that it is ready for the next call.

EMTs have to undergo specific Emergency Medical Technician Training in various medical disciplines so that they are qualified to handle different emergency situations. There are different levels of emergency medical technicians and each has had different training and can perform different life-saving duties. The levels are progressive, starting at Emergency Medical Responder and progressively up to Paramedic.

It is of the utmost importance that your EMT Training is done at an accredited institution in order for you to get certified. The duration of EMT National Training Programs is between six months and four years, depending on the level of the qualification that you are doing. Graduates of Community College EMT Courses receive associates degrees, and graduates from a four-year Emergency Medical Technician Training receive a Bachelor Degree in Emergency Medical Technology.

Characteristics Of An Emergency Medical Technician

Being an EMT takes a lot out of one as the hours are long; the job is hard physically and emotionally. It is for this reason that many EMTs eventually move on to other disciplines in the EMT field. It is also for this reason that it takes a very specific type of person to follow an EMT career.

Specific skills that an EMT needs:

Active Listening – EMTs must be able to give their full attention to patients who are speaking to them as they may be trying to give pertinent information under stressful circumstances. This includes asking the right questions when and if needed.

Coordination – An EMT must be able to work in conjunction with others and change their actions in accordance to sudden changes and actions by another.

Critical Thinking – An EMT needs to be able to identify weaknesses and strengths in various approaches by applying logical thinking and analysis.

Equipment Selection – It is crucial that the EMT knows which equipment is best for a particular situation and also that they know how to use it.

Speaking – Part of an EMTs duties is to access information from a patient and to calm them down under what may be harrowing circumstances. This calls for excellent communication skills.

Emergency Medical Technician Training

Apart from first responders, who work alongside police and fire-fighters to give initial preliminary first aid to patients at emergency scenes, there are three levels of Emergency Medical Technicians; Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B), Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I), and Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic (EMT).

1. EMT Training – Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B)

An emergency medical technician needs to have an enormous amount of knowledge of the human anatomy, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and first aid, and must also be able to work well even when under pressure. EMT National Training for the EMT-B consists of a combination of EMT Training in a classroom as well as fieldwork.

Students on these certificate EMT Courses are taught the basic of emergency care such as taking vital signs, applying splints, performing physical examinations, and controlling bleeding. It is also important that EMTs learn how to deal with poisoning, heart attacks, drug abuse, fractures and burns.

Basic EMT Training teaches future emergency medical technicians how to operate oxygen equipment, stethoscopes, nasal and oral devices and extrication tools. The majority of EMT programs work with an assigned medical facility where the students complete their required 180 hours of hours of on-the-job ambulance and hospital training.

Education Prerequisites

• You must be 18 years old and have a high-school diploma or GED.
• You must pass a criminal background check.
• You must submit your current immunization records upon enrolment in an EMT Course.
• Some EMT Courses require you to have a current CPR certificate and some prior medical experience.

Program Coursework
The basic EMT National Training provides students with fundamental training on how to respond to emergency medical situations and what to monitor when they are helping someone who is injured. The EMT-Basic curriculum consists of:

• Basic Emergency Medical Care
• Human Anatomy
• Patient Stabilization
• Pharmacology
• Trauma Assessment

Employment Prospects and Salary

• Those who have completed their level-one training are usually employed in county fire-departments and emergency departments amongst other places.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for EMTs is favorable and is expected to grow approximately 12%.
• The annual EMT salary for those with the EMT-B certification is between $22,000 and $34,000.

Professional Licensing and Continuing Education

• Once you have completed the EMT National Training you can apply to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification exam.
• The NRET examination is a computer-based test in which psychomotor and cognitive questions regarding basic emergency service care such as paediatrics, cardiology and trauma.
• EMTs must be re-certified every 2 years and have to be employed to meet the continuing education requirement.
• Emergency medical technicians with an EMT-Basic certification may take additional EMT Courses and complete another certification examination in order to upgrade to EMT Intermediate level.

2. EMT Training – Emergency Medical Technician- Intermediate (EMT-I)

Emergency life-saving techniques such as the operation of defibrillators and shocks and advanced intubation techniques are some of the skills that are taught on the intermediate EMT National Training. Students in the EMT-Intermediate certificate program are taught how to carry out emergency care for pre-hospital patients and correctly administer intravenous medication under the supervision of a physician via demonstrations, lectures and clinical training.

These EMT Classes build on the skills that were learned on the EMT-Basic course, but students are allowed to choose a specialization such as trauma, cardiac or shock at this stage. There are two further intermediate levels, EMT-I/85 and EMT-I/99 between the EMT-Basic and the EMT-Paramedic levels, although not all states recognize all the intermediate levels. Some EMT Training programs award a technical diploma instead of issuing a certification of completion.

Education Prerequisites

• You have to have an EMT-Basic certification, have worked as an EMT for at least one year.
• You must be in possession of current immunization records and CPR certification in order to enrol in an Emergency Medical Technician Training program.
• You may not have been found guilty of abuse, been convicted of a felony or have had your EMT license revoked or suspended.

Program Coursework
The intermediate EMT Training program builds on the fundamental training from the EMT-Basic course by giving advanced training in basic skills. The EMT-Intermediate curriculum consists of:

• Administration of medication
• Advanced life support
• Airway management
• Anatomy II
• Paediatric emergencies
• Pre-hospital care
• Trauma

Employment Prospects and Salary

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook is good and the amount of jobs in the EMT field is expected to rise by 12% through 2016.
• Emergency Medical Technician jobs also open up often due to EMTs leaving to pursue other fields and due to the stresses of the job.
• The annual salary for those with the EMT-I certification is between $34,000 and $42,000.

Professional Licensing and Continuing Education

• Both of the Intermediate exams are offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
• Both are computer-based tests and make use of psychomotor and cognitive testing of skills.
• EMTs need to get re-certified every two years and need to be working as an EMT in order to meet the continuing education requirement.

3. EMT Training – Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic (EMT)

The EMT-Paramedic training is the highest level of Emergency Medical Technician training and the one with the most training in emergency medical procedures. A certificated Paramedic can start an intravenous line, administer a range of medications and read an electrocardiogram.

Students who do the Para medic EMT National Training do advanced EMT Classes in assessing injury and trauma in children and the elderly, and have a far more extensive knowledge of critical care, the human body and critical care.

Education Prerequisites

• Students in the EMT-Paramedic program need to gain experience working in a clinic or hospital under the direct supervision of a physician or registered nurse.
• To enlist in this EMT Training applicants must have EMT certification and it must be in good standing.
• Paramedic Emergency Medical Technician Training students must have extensive medical services employment and training.

Program Coursework
Those who graduate from the Paramedic EMT National Training program are also exposed to various other aspects of emergency medical care, such as legal issues and ethics. They can also do endotracheal intubations, and employ a big variety of technologically complex equipment in the discharge of their duties.

They do much more advanced training than any of the other levels and are thus responsible for far more at an emergency scene. The EMT-Intermediate curriculum consists of:

• Assault and abuse
• Cardiology
• Communications
• Facial trauma
• Gastroenterology
• Infectious diseases
• Pathophysiology
• Psychiatric disorders
• Roles and responsibilities of a paramedic
• Toxicology

Employment Prospects and Salary

• Because of their advanced EMT Training, Paramedics are in great demand and can access employment in several fields.
• Paramedics can be dispatchers, become marketing professionals for EMT equipment companies, become supervisors, or managers of emergency services.
• The annual salary for those with the Paramedic certification is between $40,000 and $70,000.

Professional Licensing and Continuing Education

• Once they have completed the Paramedic EMT Training, they can apply to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic certification test.
• This test is computer-based and seeks to test the skills that the paramedic ahs learned, including and patient assessment, medication administration and cardiac management,
• Re-certification must be done every 2 years and the Paramedics must be working and in good standing when they apply in order to fulfill the continuing education requirement.

EMT Refresher Course

EMTs need to renew their certification every few years, and they do this by doing an EMT Refresher Course. These EMT Courses are offered by hospitals and community colleges and meet the educational credential requirements for both national and state certification renewals.

EMT First Responder Refresher Course

• EMT first responders work alongside fire-fighters and police officers to administer preliminary emergency medical care until more qualified medical professionals arrive.
• Refresher EMT Classes review subjects such as bleeding control and stabilization of broken bones, wound care, and CPR, and covers any advances in first response care.
• EMT first responder refresher courses generally consist of 16 hours of classroom instruction.

EMT-Basic Refresher Course

• EMT-Basic personnel provide emergency medical care at an emergency site and can also keep a patient stabilized in an ambulance on the way to a hospital.
• Students enrolled in this EMT Class are taught any updated methods of emergency medical care skills.
• This EMT Course covers oxygen administration, cardiac arrest treatment, trauma management, triage and emergency childbirth delivery.
• These refresher courses consist of 24-hour EMT Classes.

EMT- Intermediate Refresher Course

• EMT-Intermediate is the second highest EMT level.
• The refresher EMT Courses at this level cover pre-hospital care skills, including airway management and ventilation, patient assessment, needle chest decompression and advanced cardiac life support procedures and ECG interpretation.
• The duration of this refresher course is 36 hours of classroom instruction.

EMT- Paramedic Refresher Course

• Paramedic is the highest EMT level.
• Paramedic refresher courses cover the most topics and are the longest.
• This EMT Class covers the same curriculum as the lower-level EMT Courses but a paramedic refresher course delves deeper into obstetrics, paediatric, and geriatric care.
• This EMT Course lasts approximately 48 hours.

The EMT Refresher Course is not only for those who need to renew their certification but also for those whose certification has expired not more than 2 years previously. One can also do an online refresher course, but always bear in mind that whichever type of Emergency Medical Technician Training you do, it must always be done through an accredited institution. You can only sit for the certification exam if the course is accredited.

One of the most renowned online EMT Refresher Courses is the U.S. Department of Transportation EMT Course, which is a 24-hour online EMT Class. The course is presented by Mark Komins B.S.E.M.S., Paramedic, of the EMS Training Institute, who has been an Emergency Medical Services Educator and Provider for more than ten years. The EMS Training Institute is CECBEMS accredited approved EMT School and a BLS & ALS Continuing Education provider for the National Registry.

The course does not have to be completed at once, but can all be done online at your own pace. This EMT Refresher Course qualifies for Instructor Based and CE Training and this will be noted on your certificate.

EMT Paramedic Training

A Paramedic is the person you see rushing around at the scene of an accident or a rescue situation whether it is as a result of an automobile accident, a climbing accident where someone is stuck in a ravine, a fire or any number of natural disasters. Paramedics need to undergo very specific training s they are the person in charge of emergency medical attention at the scene. They are the most qualified and often have to give orders to EMTs.

Paramedics usually work in a team of two people, very often with a basic level EMT. Although both of these Emergency Medical Services personnel are highly trained, the paramedic has much more training than the EMT Basic member of the team, which is why they are in charge. Paramedics have far more years of experience too, as most of them started with EMT National Training to become an EMT Basic and did the job for a few years whilst picking up experience and working their way up the ladder, doing the Intermediate EMT course first and then only going on to do the EMT Paramedic Training.

EMT Courses for paramedics are very intense programs and require that the student has strong math, science, leadership and problem-solving skills. EMT Paramedic training programs generally last 1-2 years and frequently culminate in an associate’s degree. Paramedic training is offered at technical schools, community colleges,

Requirements for EMT Paramedic Training

• Applicants must be 18 years or older by course completion date.
• Applicants must hold current national certification as an EMT-Basic
• Applicants must be in possession of a high school diploma or a GED.
• Applicants must be currently CPR certified and have Physiology and Anatomy from an accredited university or college.

EMT Course – Paramedic

The EMT-Paramedic certificate training is offered full-time and part-time, which may suit some people who would prefer to continue working whilst they are doing the course. The full-time course is two semesters and includes academic and practical studies.

The course covers:

• Introduction to Advanced Practice
• Anatomy & Physiology for Paramedic Practice
• Assessment Based Management
• Cardiology
• Clinical I, II, III & IV
• Emergency Pharmacology
• EMS Operations
• Medical Emergencies
• Patient Assessment & Airway Mgmt
• Special Populations
• Trauma Management

Once the Paramedic EMT Classes are completed graduates need to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians paramedic exam. This exam is a 2-part test which comprises of a practical, psychomotor portion and a written, cognitive portion. Certain states may also require you to write a state exam in order to work as a Paramedic in that state. Licensure needs to be renewed every 2-3 years and this is done by earning attending refresher classes and continuing education credits.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 45% of paramedics in the US are employed by ambulatory services, and many others work in hospitals and local governments. The amount of jobs available for paramedics is projected to rise by 9% in the 2008-2018 decade.

Hopefully the above information on EMT Training was of some help to you. Now that you know what it takes to become an Emergency Medical Technician, the only thing that you have to do to take the next step is to source an accredited EMT National Training program and start your very worthy career as one of America’s heroes!

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