EMT Certification

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are often the first responders to medical crises. The skills that students may obtain in EMT-Basic certificate programs allow them to administer critical first aid and life support to ill or injured patients.

Essential Information

These programs are often completed in three weeks to four months, and students can learn basic life support, first aid, wound care, and emergency rescue procedures. These programs combine classroom education with clinical training and typically require students to complete a minimum number of hours training in real-life, on-the-job settings. All EMTs must obtain certification to gain employment in the field.

To begin an EMT certificate program, students must have a high school education or equivalent, current CPR certification, minimum GPA, completion of science-related courses, previous volunteer experience and be at least 18 years of age.

Certificate Programs in Emergency Medical Technology

These programs cover basic issues related to human illness and injury as well as how to handle medical emergencies. Students also learn how to use common tools of the job. Common course topics include these:

Emergency medical care

Trauma assessment

Anatomy

Pharmacology

In addition to coursework, students learn common skills such as these:

Performing CPR

Administering medicine

Providing wound care

Establishing respiratory air flow

Conducting patient interviews