The current EMT program takes one full semester to complete. Courses EMT 120, 121, 122, and 123 comprise the program. Students have 2 lectures per week (8 CH), and one skills lab (2.25 CH). The remaining hours are completed in a Driving Safety course, and within the clinical setting (EMS, ER).
The Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) is the introductory level of licensure for those interested in working in the patient transport realm within the field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
EMTs are responsible for responding to emergency situations, and providing initial assessment and management for the sick or injured patient. Some Fire Service agencies require their personnel to be licensed as EMTs, as they may arrive on scene before an ambulance staffed with EMTs/Paramedics arrive to care for the patient. EMTs are considered to have a higher level of licensure than Medical First Responders (MFRs). Most EMS agencies will require at least an EMT-B license in order to allow the provider to work on an ambulance transporting patients.
EMTs assist in the care and stabilization of the patient, and assist in preparing the patient for transport. EMTs are expected to interact with the public, demonstrating a professional, comforting, and caring attitude. EMTs are expected to help in the movement of patients from their location to an ambulance for transport to definitive care. EMTs routinely provide transport to definitive care facilities, providing either patient care, or driving the unit. Safe driving practices are both required and expected within this field. Many employers monitor require good driving records of all personnel transporting indivduals.
The tasks performed by the EMT can be physically challenging; many prehospital care providers are expected to be able to lift 125 pounds (equipment, patient) routinely. All EMS providers can anticipate the need to perform prolonged resuscitation efforts on individuals in cardiac arrest. The EMT may be allowed to assist with some patient medications, depending on their local Medical Control Authority.
Many individuals enter the field of EMS as EMT-Basic level providers, and later progress to the level of EMT-P (Paramedic).