The field of emergency medical technicians is an entry to the highly regarded profession of pre-hospital patient care. An EMT "responds to emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured, and transports the patient to a medical facility." The job duties of an EMT can be demanding, stressful, and require a level of commitment that goes beyond the standard "entry-level position."
EMT-Basic (EMT-B) is the minimum qualification needed to staff an ambulance in the United States. The standards for successful completion are rigorous and exacting, but that is what one would expect when life and death can be at stake. EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I) and EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P) training levels are higher levels of certification in the pre-hospital area. EMT-I training varies from area to area according to need but is usually 250 to 300+ hours. EMT-P training, the highest level of EMT, is usually between 1000 and 1200 hours. Many EMTs progress to paramedic and/or firefighter and a considerable number go on to become nurses and doctors.
EMT-Basic (EMT-B) is the minimum qualification needed to staff an ambulance in the United States. The standards for successful completion are rigorous and exacting, but that is what one would expect when life and death can be at stake. EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I) and EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P) training levels are higher levels of certification in the pre-hospital area. EMT-I training varies from area to area according to need but is usually 250 to 300+ hours. EMT-P training, the highest level of EMT, is usually between 1000 and 1200 hours. Many EMTs progress to paramedic and/or firefighter and a considerable number go on to become nurses and doctors.