KS EMT's ONLY!?

Question

i am currently a CNA at a local long term care facility. i'm 17 years old and that surprises a lot of people but anyways i love everything about my job except that it is so routine. i'm fine with blood and gore; it takes a lot to upset and phaze me. i've been thinking about becoming an EMT for a couple years now, but i'm a senior in high school so i want to get this sorted out right away. what does it take to become a basic emt in the state of kansas? what's your favorite thing about your job as an emt? any comments or suggestions for me? do you have to drive the ambulance too or is there somebody specific for that cuz i suck at reading maps lol. i'm also curious what title people work under in the emergency room....not the surgeons or doctors; the ones who help stabilize the patient. do i have to go to college for EMT classes, or can i just take them at a local hospital like i did for my CNA license? what's the cost? and last but not least, what was your most memorable moment working?

Answer 1

Hi, there!

I'm not a Kansas EMT, but I'm an Alabama paramedic, and maybe I can help you out a bit.

Check out this website. It can probably answer most of your state-specific questions: http://www.ksbems.org/

Usually, you can be 17 and take the course, but you have to be 18 to take the test and become certified.

I'm sure you know the difference, but I'll just go over it real quickly: There are EMT-Basics, EMT-Intermediates, and EMT-Paramedics.

The classes you are thinking of are the EMT-Basic classes. It takes about a semester to complete, and it's the minimum level of training to work on an ambulance. If you are a Basic, you will usually be paired with a Paramedic partner.

EMT-Intermediate is kind of a halfway step between Basic and Paramedic. Lots of states don't even use these anymore.

EMT-Paramedic takes about a year or two to complete and is very intensive. This is the highest level of hospital care. These are the dudes that get to intubate and all that cool stuff you've probably seen on the TV shows. The minimum age to be an EMT-Paramedic is usually 19, but can be 21 in certain states.

As an EMT-Basic, yes, you will be doing lots of driving, especially if you are paired with a Paramedic partner. Usually there will be map books in every truck, although some services use GPS. If you really can't find an address, your dispatch can usually give good directions.

Sometimes, hospitals will hire EMT-Basics for help in the ER, but they usually wind up working as patient care techs, and not in any kind of critical capacity. EMT-Paramedics are often hired as ER techs, and in lots of hospitals they can do almost anything an ER nurse can do. However, in most hospitals, the majority of the critical care is done by the ER nurses there.

You usually have to go to college for the EMT classes. The Basic course is fairly easy and lasts a semester or so. Unfortunately, EMS really isn't a type of job that can offer on the job training, like your CNA course.

Classes usually cost around $600 total but this can vary greatly from state to state. You'll want to invest in a decent stethoscope and BP cuff for the course, and a little belt pouch with trauma shears, penlight, and such also comes in handy.

As much fun as it is working as a Basic, the pay really isn't so great, so if you decide that you like EMS enough to want to make a career of it, you might consider becoming a Paramedic eventually. The pay is a little bit better, at least, and you can perform more advanced procedures. It also makes you more competitive in the job market.

Hmmm...my most memorable moment would honestly be the day someone got tired of waiting in the doctor's office, so he called 911 FROM THE WAITING ROOM!!! We were just aghast at the whole thing.

Anyways, hope I've helped. Good luck!

Answer 2

Sorry, not KS EMT, but I have been an EMT almost 30 yrs. First, you better learn to read maps because chances are you will drive at some point. If you work for a Private Ambulance Service your partners are going to get tired of doing all the driving.If you work with a Paramedic, YOU will have to drive to the Hospital. Hospital ER's occasionally hire EMT as ER Techs, but because they are PRE Hospital Providers, many hospitals do not! EMT classes can be taken from Community Colleges,FD's, cost varies. Also, get National Registry so you are not limited in employment. Many memories and still making them.