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what classes in college should i take to become a EMS
i just want to know what classes i need to take to be a EMS
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3 answers
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Julia’s Answer
I got started in medicine as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic. I was able to take this class at my local community college. I continued my education to become an EMT-P (Paramedic) and finally, became a Physician Assistant. Where I live, to work at a fire station, you have to be both a firefighter and a paramedic, so you may need to look at the Fire Science Technology classes, too. I do know many paramedics who work in a hospital emergency department, so if you haven't been bitten by the fire bug, you can still do something you love!
Check your local community college for their EMT program.
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Ryan’s Answer
Hi Ashley!
In most places, you can become an EMT in a single semester of school at your local community college. Although it's one semester, it's usually divided into multiple classes (even though you're required to take them all at the same times, usually have the same teachers, and the same classmates). For example, at the college where I teach "EMT Class" is actually 5 back-to-back classes: EMT Fundamentals, Medical Emergencies, Trauma Emergencies, Special Considerations, and Clinicals. If you contact your school's career counselor or your local community college's advising center, they can tell you exactly what they call their classes, how to enroll, and how long it will take.
If you're looking for things you can do to prepare, you will be required to be certified in CPR / AED prior to becoming an EMT. So, you can start with what we call a BLS (Basic Life Support) Provers class. You can also take health, biology, or anatomy and physiology classes while you're still in school to help you prepare; these are not required to become an EMT, but it will make EMT class easier for you when you get there!
Good luck!
In most places, you can become an EMT in a single semester of school at your local community college. Although it's one semester, it's usually divided into multiple classes (even though you're required to take them all at the same times, usually have the same teachers, and the same classmates). For example, at the college where I teach "EMT Class" is actually 5 back-to-back classes: EMT Fundamentals, Medical Emergencies, Trauma Emergencies, Special Considerations, and Clinicals. If you contact your school's career counselor or your local community college's advising center, they can tell you exactly what they call their classes, how to enroll, and how long it will take.
If you're looking for things you can do to prepare, you will be required to be certified in CPR / AED prior to becoming an EMT. So, you can start with what we call a BLS (Basic Life Support) Provers class. You can also take health, biology, or anatomy and physiology classes while you're still in school to help you prepare; these are not required to become an EMT, but it will make EMT class easier for you when you get there!
Good luck!
Updated
Tamera’s Answer
Hi Ashley, thanks for posting on the forum. I ended up doing a class during the summer like Julia mentioned above between my junior and senior year of undergrad. However, you can also look into programs that you can get a degree in emergency medicine. I wish I did more research into this because you can get your EMT-B and paramedic licenses with this degree.
University of Pittsburgh: https://catalog.upp.pitt.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=5&ent_oid=137&returnto=66
University of Pittsburgh: https://catalog.upp.pitt.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=5&ent_oid=137&returnto=66