Best Emergency Medical Technician Certifications

BLS certification lasts two years. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification cards are valid for two years from the date of your certification.

Once you reach the window of within 30 days of expiration of your BLS certification, you should seek to recertify. There are abbreviated BLS certification courses you can enroll in to recertify, once you complete one your BLS certification is valid for another two years.

It is important to note, if your certification expired more than 30 days prior to your review course, you then have to complete the full BLS certification course in order to regain your certification.

A first aid certification lasts two years. Once an individual has completed first aid certification courses, they earn a first aid certification valid for two years.

After two years, an individual must recertify their first aid certification. This can be taken in an in-person class or as a hybrid of in-person and online certification training.

You can gain first aid certification from the American Red Cross. They also provide hybrid learning models of in-person and online courses to gain first aid certification.

An EMT certification lasts for two years. Nationally Registered EMTs need to renew their certification every two years. To recertify, you have two options. You may choose to take a cognitive exam or finish some continuing education. It is important to look into requirements for your exact state, as there may be some minor but important differences from state to state.

The length of time that it takes to get a CPR certification is between 4 to 6 hours. The average CPR certification class is between 2 and 4 hours long. The average person needs about 8 hours of study time.

It takes two to four months to get an EMT certification. The EMT course is 208 hours that is conducted over two to four months.

Candidates must study and pass an examination to gain an EMT certification. This test has two components: the cognitive exam and the psychomotor exam.

The cognitive exam tests for knowledge on the subjects that must be learned to become an EMT, while the psychomotor exam tests candidates on simulated patient interactions.

Here are some common things you will learn when you obtain your EMT certification:

• How to take and read a person's vital signs

• How to manage an individual's airway

• Foundational knowledge involving obstetrics and gynecology

• How to manage a person's bleeding

• How to manage an individual when they are in shock

• How to provide care for head injuries and other types of trauma

• How to deal with pediatric patients that are in distress

• The foundations of medical and ethical approaches in healthcare

It takes around two hours to four hours to complete CPR certification, and the length of a CPR certification class will vary depending on which type of course you enroll in. There are online, in-person, and hybrid options that vary in skills learned and in the details given.

BLS certification is good for two years. After your BLS certification expires, you must attempt to recertify within 30 days.

To recertify, you must enroll in an abbreviated recertification BLS course, pass, and gain certification for another two years.

The length of CPR training varies depending on which course you enroll in, but most take around 2 to 4 hours to complete. There are online, in-person, and hybrid options that vary in skills learned and in the details given.

EMT training takes, on average, three to eleven weeks to complete. It can take up to two years. It includes 120 hours of training, classroom instruction, and hands-on experience. EMTs are trained to provide basic emergency care to patients outside of hospitals and transport them safely to a hospital or healthcare facility.

The CPR certification costs around $20 to $55. Classes vary depending on which type of certification course you enroll in. There are online, in-person, and hybrid options that vary in skills learned and in the details given.

You need to renew your CPR certification every two years. Certain updates and rule changes may take place, so CPR certifications expire after two years.

Both CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) are required by medical professionals and many others in various work environments. Certification for each is good for two years after the training has been completed. The Red Cross encourages those certified to refresh their training every 12 months.

To get an EMT license, you need to complete the necessary education and training, pass the NREMT exam, and apply for state certification. Here are some details on these steps and others you can take to gain an EMT license:

There are many jobs you can pursue with Emergency Medical Training (EMT) certification, such as lifeguard, paramedic, or first aid instructor. EMT, certification proves you are trained to stabilize and safely transport patients. This can be helpful in a variety of careers and can be beneficial even if you do not work in a medical position.

Lifeguards are required to hold EMT certification in many states. Even if it is not required, EMT certification will make you a more competitive candidate for positions as well as provide you with the skills necessary to help, should an issue arise.

Paramedics are required to hold many different certifications, and EMT certification is one of them. Paramedics respond to emergency calls and need to be able to quickly respond, assess, and treat patients. To successfully perform their roles, they need to be comfortable with emergency responses and training.

For those interested in teaching first aid, EMT certification is extremely helpful. Most first aid instructors will teach CPR training, AED training, as well as EMT training. Many first aid trainers will also hold courses for lifeguards, babysitters, and others seeking emergency medical training knowledge.

You can obtain a variety of different jobs in the medical field, and in other areas with an EMT certification. Here are some examples of jobs you can get with an EMT certification:

• Paramedic

  A paramedic is a registered healthcare professional that provides emergency medical treatment to patients in many settings.

  A paramedic works autonomously in a wide variety of healthcare settings. Depending on their qualifications, paramedics can work in these environments: roadways, people's homes, wilderness environments, aircraft, and with SWAT teams during police operations. Their primary function is to stabilize patients with life-threatening injuries and transport them to a hospital.

  The range of a paramedic's annual salary in the United States is between $41,404 and $51,386, resulting in an average of $45,959.

• EMT

  An emergency medical technician (EMT) is a professional that provides emergency medical treatment and transport to those who have been seriously injured or are experiencing life-threatening or serious medical episodes.

  The role of an EMT is very similar to that of a paramedic. They use ambulances to transport patients from the area of the medical emergency to the nearest hospital. Sometimes they provide life-saving or medically stabilizing care while en route to a hospital.

  The range of an EMT's annual salary in the United States is between $34,010 and $42,840, resulting in an average of $37,950.

• Medical assistant

  A medical assistant is a professional who focuses on scheduling, clerical, and billing tasks.

  Medical assistants may work in doctors' offices, hospitals, or other medical facilities. Their job centers around many administrative duties. They may be tasked with reaching out to patients to schedule appointments or follow-up care. Medical assistants also have a role in bookkeeping and billing. Most of their duties are performed at a desk in a medical facility.

  Though their job mainly revolves around clerical duties, they sometimes participate in patient care, such as taking vitals.

  The EMT certification is useful for these professionals in the event of a medical emergency. The average wage of a medical assistant in the United States is $16.11 per hour.