How Long Does It Take To Become an EMT?
Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is often the first step in beginning a career in health care.
The EMT serves as the front-runner for emergencies in ambulances, hospitals, and emergency teams and provides the life support services that can save the lives of trauma and accident victims. EMTs are a vital part of any medical team.
Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, or EMT-B, is an entry-level certification into the emergency medical services field. The program at Health Career Institute prepares EMT-B students to join ambulances and hospital teams with the knowledge and skills necessary for providing life support services, such as immobilizing fractures, bandaging wounds, opening airways, and restoring breathing.
The EMT-B Program at HCI
EMT-B students participate in 150 clock hours in theory courses, 50 clock hours in labs, and 50 clock hours in an externship. Theory courses will familiarize EMT-B students with the human body, its anatomy and functions, and the procedures that they would be performing on the job.
Lab work provides the practical application of theory within a controlled, laboratory setting for some hands-on practice before heading out for field work. The externship will involve a supervised field work on an emergency care team or in a hospital to correlate the information obtained in the lecture and laboratory portion with patient care.
Upon completion of the program, EMT-B students will be qualified to take the EMT certification in the state of Florida and the NREMT National Registry Emergency Medical Technician exam. HCI’s Emergency Medical Technician-Basic program follows the most current National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards from the U.S. Department of Transportation, so graduates will be up-to-date on all current procedures and techniques.
One Semester, Four Months
The EMT-B program at HCI can be completed in as little as four months and spans an entire semester. Students will be immersed in theory and practical application throughout the duration of their program and fully prepared to sit in for the EMT certification and licensing exams. Four months is all it takes to become an entry-level Emergency Medical Technician in the state of Florida and begin a career in this exciting field!
Students who complete the EMT-B courses can continue their education by enrolling in EMT-Paramedic courses or the Associate of Science degree in Emergency Medical Services at HCI.
