Eight Reasons to Start a Career as an EMT

Eight Reasons to Start a Career as an EMT

 Wondering whether or not EMT training will be a good career investment for you? Trying to decide if you're going to love this work, or if you should continue your career explorations elsewhere? You've come to the right place. Here at RC Health Services, we want to help you understand the kind of future you can build by taking advantage of our courses.  

1. Every Day is Different

While we can't promise endless thrills, chills, and life-saving opportunities as an EMT, we can promise every day will be different. Some days you'll be working frantically to keep a car crash victim alive in time to get to the ER. Other days you'll be helping a dehydrated kid at a ball game. EMTs get called out to a wide variety of very different, very human healthcare situations. If the thought of sitting in a cubicle and doing the same things over and over again, day after day, makes you cringe, then a career as an EMT may be right for you.

 2. There Are Plenty of Job Opportunities

  The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the 10-year job growth for EMTs is 23%, which is significantly higher than job growth in other fields. After all, every city and town in the nation needs EMTs. That means there's a good chance you can do what you want to do while living where you want to live, whether you want to relocate to some other part of the country or stay close to home. If you're dedicated and good at what you do, it is unlikely you'll struggle to find work now or in the future.  

3. It's Recession-Proof

 This is related to our previous point, of course, but it also bears mentioning in its own right. It doesn't matter what the economy is doing. People will always get hurt and sick, get into car accidents and have heart attack scares. That's not to say that the organizations that employ EMTs never try to cut costs, but there is a certain minimum number of EMTs that will always be necessary to keep a town's emergency services running, and that creates a certain level of job security.

 4. The Work is Very Challenging

 Training doesn't end when you get your EMT certification. There are continuing education requirements, and they exist for a reason. EMT work takes a few weeks to learn and a lifetime to master. You'll have to think on your feet and respond quickly to ensure that your patients get the help they need. Sometimes this will be basic care (not all calls are dramatic or even life-threatening) and sometimes you really will be facing life-or-death situations. This job will demand your very best every single day.  

5. This is Meaningful Work

  Being an EMT is all about serving others. You're trying to keep them healthy, alive, and as comfortable as possible. You're getting your hands dirty and you'll quite literally experience the pulse of life. You'll never have to worry about whether or not the work you do matters. If providing selfless service to others is important to you, then becoming an EMT can be a great career. Typically this career appeals to natural "helpers" who truly care about the well-being of other people.  

6. There is No Such Thing as a Dead-End Job
 If you're looking for a job that gives you the chance to advance up the career ladder, then EMT work is a good choice. You can move from an EMT Basic to a Paramedic. This job also opens doors to becoming a Physician Assistant, to getting a nursing degree, and more. Of course, some people choose to stick to EMT work because they love what they do, but the bottom line is your career will be in your own hands, and it won't be hard to find out how you can take it to the next level.

7. The Pay is Quite Decent

Look around EMT forums for too long and you'll hear a lot of complaints about the "low pay." It's true that the hours are long and that the pay may seem low when compared to the skilled, intense nature of the work. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that EMT Basics make about $31,000 a year on average. While that may not be enough to get rich, it's hardly a minimum wage job, either. Many EMTs develop very comfortable lifestyles for themselves. In addition, as you advance your career, attain additional certifications and become more experienced, you'll be able to command a higher salary. An EMT Intermediate, for example, can expect to make $36,000 to $41,000 a year. The median annual paramedic salary is $40,002, and some paramedics make as much as $45,000 a year.  

8. Training Doesn't Take Very Long, and It's Not Very Expensive

Training is inexpensive and it only takes 14 weeks. There are very few jobs where you can invest less than $2,000 and walk out with the means to make as much as $31,000 a year form the get-go. Compare that to spending $100,000 on a degree to land a $30,000 entry level marketing position, and it's easy to see which career gives you the better return on your investment. Please understand that just because the training is fast and relatively inexpensive, that doesn't mean it's easy. Some candidates have to take the courses two to three times to absorb all the concepts and pass the tests. Just make sure you plan accordingly and have the tuition money handy if you're not one of the lucky ones who makes it through on the first try.

 Get started today.

Are you ready to launch a great new career? If so, visit www.rchealthservices.com today to enroll or request an information packet. ---

Furthering Your Medical Career With ACLS Training

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training is a specialized set of techniques and medical protocols created for healthcare professionals and first responders who administer to patients experiencing serious cardiac or cardiac-arrest events. EMTs, paramedics, doctors and nurses are required to obtain ACLS certification as a part of their certifications needed for employment. 

ACLS for medical professionals is the next level of training that builds on the participants' prior certification in CPR/AED and Basic Life Support skills. ACLS training expands on the medical professional’s existing knowledge of cardiac-event preparedness by teaching advanced skills such as defibrillation, administering IV drugs and drug protocols, intubation and EKG and ECG analysis.

Prerequisites For ACLS Training

The ACLS training course is designed for medical professionals who have experience in patient care and covers advanced cardiac care techniques for treating severe trauma or cardiac arrest. Medical professionals must be certified in CPR and must present proof of certification in order to enroll in a class. Training and certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) while not always required, is recommended.

ACLS training has become more popular in recent years and most hospitals require certification for all on-floor employees such as doctors, nurses and other support staff. Considered continuing education for health professionals, ACLS course work is designed for medical professionals who already have experience in the field such as nurses, physicians, EMTs and paramedics.

What Does ACLS Coursework Include?

Because the course is designed for medical professionals with existing experience, it focuses on advanced techniques. ACLS training prepares experienced medical professionals to assess and initially treat emergency situations using ACLS protocols. Trained healthcare professionals are able to identify acute coronary conditions including ischemic chest pain, recognize the symptoms of stroke and manage cardiac arrest using ACLS protocols. Trainees are also taught both one- and two-person resuscitation techniques for adults, children and infants, and to provide primary emergency treatment for cardiac-related situations.

There are many different institutions offering courses in ACLS certification both online and in classroom settings. All courses are American Heart Association approved and are designed to refresh the students' basic knowledge of CPR skills, test their ability to perform individually and as part of a resuscitation team, introduce new training in more advanced treatment options for care and the use of the advanced equipment used in ACLS. Upon successful completion of the required coursework and hands-on training, the student is issued an ACLS certification card.

What Does ACLS Certification Mean?

ACLS certification means that the recipient has received the necessary training and preparation to identify and respond to various medical emergencies. While the main coursework deals with the identification and treatment of cardiac related emergencies, ACLS builds upon the student’s previous training in Basic Life Support. Certification means that the recipient is trained in CPR, rescue breathing and management of choking.

The certification program also covers protocols on management of cardiac arrest and other cardiac emergencies, airway management and the application of related devices such as tracheal tubes, and immediate post-cardiac-arrest care. Coursework teaches students the assessment of breathing, opening the airway through intubation, monitoring circulation, stabilization of the patient, and using a defibrillator to normalize cardiac rhythms.

Upon completion of ACLS training the medical professional will be able to recognize and treat specific emergencies that may lead to cardiac arrest such as drowning, anaphylactic shock, hypothermia, trauma and drug overdose.

Renewing Certification

ACLS certification expires within two years of passing the final exam. Re-certification is required every two years and students must take a current course in order to re-certify. Because ACLS protocols and guidelines often change it’s crucial for healthcare providers to be current with their training. Advanced Cardiac Life Support training consists of both study and hands-on training. Retraining every two years ensures professionals are current with the material and have in-depth technical experience using their training in a number of various clinical situations and scenarios.

ACLS Training for Health Professionals

Health professionals and associate professionals are highly trained medical workers involved in providing preventative, therapeutic and rehabilitative services. These health care workers require extensive knowledge. Training and skills are often obtained through university education lasting from 3-6 years. ACLS is often required study for:

•Physicians

• Nurses

• Midwives

• Dentists

• Pharmaceutical professionals

• Audiologists

• Ambulance workers, paramedics and EMTs

• Medical Assistants

• and community healthcare professionals

ACLS training is advanced study and requires students to possess CPR certification. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is highly recommended and may be required by some medical facilities prior to ACLS. People who do not possess advanced education or previous training in the medical field may find the ACLS course too difficult. Practicing or attempting to practice ACLS without proper training or certification may make the practitioner liable for malpractice and open to a lawsuit.

For first-time students seeking certification in ACLS, it’s recommended to receive training in a traditional classroom setting. The student can benefit from the direct access to the trained medical professionals who teach the class.

Re-certification students may find that completing the coursework online is a more flexible option that allows them to study at their own pace, around their schedule. For working medical care professionals this flexibility is a major benefit. While the classroom study can be completed online, the student will need to schedule an onsite visit to complete the hands-on training and skills portion of the training.

Healthcare professionals are required to have a current BLS card, as well as the ability to read and understand EKG rhythms and have at least a basic understanding of pharmacology. Ideally, the student will have some clinical or field experience or be about to graduate nursing or paramedic school.

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Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_cardiac_life_support