The reasons for becoming an Emergency Medical Technician are as varied as the people that come into the field. Some become EMTs to learn the skills to help their families and neighborhoods. Some use their EMT education as stepping stones to advanced EMT and paramedic jobs, as well as other careers in medicine and emergency medical services. Some do it just because they want to help people.

Whatever your reasons just know that these are dynamic, challenging, and demanding professions. Being an EMT is not for everyone, but it can be a calling for a life-long passion and career. The following EMT classes will be held in North Webster beginning in October.

Basic:
Beginning Monday, Oct. 6, the basic class is the minimum level of training for all ambulance personnel. Basic EMTs will learn the essential skills to help in life-threatening situations. Examples are car accidents to gun shots, childbirth to accidental poisonings, heart attacks to broken limbs.

EMTs must be prepared for and skilled in providing immediate care. EMTs must know how to access an emergency scene, control bleeding, apply splints, administer oxygen and certain medications, and perform CPR.

Upon successful completion of the Emergency Medical Technician course, students will be eligible to test the Indiana State EMS psychomotor examination and cognitive exam, to gain their Indiana Basic EMT Certification.

Advanced:
If you are already a State Certified Basic EMT, you may be interested in the Advanced EMT classes. Upon successful completion of the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician course, students will be eligible to test with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) to gain their AEMT Certification.

Advanced EMT classes start Thursday, Oct. 9.

An Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, or AEMT, is a step between the EMT-Basic and the paramedic. This course is designed to prepare the participant with more than an advance understanding of emergency medicine compared to the EMT.

AEMTs are accountable for everything that an EMT-Basic performs along with more specialized life saving skills. Although not trained to the level of a paramedic, AEMTs are able to provide more advanced care by utilizing specialized training such as intravenous access, administration of emergency care medications, cardiac rhythm recognition and treatment, and provide advanced airway procedures for patients needing such procedures as a part of their care.

Those having questions may email Sue Bechtold at [email protected].