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.
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