EMT Continuing Education: Refresher Course

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As we know, lives often depend on the quick thinking of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Whether lives are on the line or people are simply in need of help, EMTs answer emergency calls and act as first responders. In healthcare, education and experience are both vital to becoming a seasoned veteran.

To ensure that EMTs remain informed and current, they are required to regularly seek recertification. According to the NREMT website, the goals of recertification include assessing knowledge and skill in emergency medical services, encouraging professional growth, ensuring continual competence, and promoting constant learning.

Unitek EMT Refresher Course

At Unitek EMT, we offer a 3-day continuing education course for those seeking NREMT recertification. One of several EMT courses, our refresher class provides participants with the necessary 24 hours of continuing education. It also gives participants the opportunity to complete the skills verification form for EMT state recertification. Additionally, our instructors are all certified EMS professionals.

Refresher topics include the following:

+ Preparatory (1 hour)

+ Airway (2 hours)

+ OB, Infants, Children (2 hours)

+ Patient Assessment (3 hours)

+ Medical/Behavior (4 hours)

+ Trauma (4 hours)

+ Elective (8 hours)

For those based in Arizona, we also offer an EMT Refresher course at our Chandler facility!

NREMT Recertification

In a nutshell, EMTs are required to seek recertification every two years. Because fees, processes, and specific requirements can vary by state, it’s important to check with your state’s emergency medical organization(s). In total, the NREMT requires 72 hours of continuing education. Below we’re including a more detailed breakdown of the steps you’ll need to take to gain recertification.

1. You will need to complete an approved 24-hour DOT National Standard EMT-Basic/EMT Refresher.

2. You will need to complete 48 hours of continuing EMS related education as outlined below:

*A maximum number of 24 hours can be applied from any one topic area.

*A maximum of 16 hours can be applied from each of the following programs: ABLS, AMLS, BTLS, NALS, PEPP, PHTLS, and PPC.

*A maximum number of 12 hours can be applied from each of the following programs:

o Teaching CPR

o Emergency Driving

o Dispatch Training

*A maximum number of 24 hours of CECBEMS approved distributive education can be applied to continuing education requirements.

According to the NREMT, recertification cycles begin once your application has been processed and approved. After the recertification application is approved, the new expiration date will occur two years after the current expiration date on your account.

If you would like more information, we highly recommend looking at the NREMT’s FAQ page for recertification. They provide thorough and well-rounded answers to questions you have likely asked yourself (plus a few you may not have thought of!) Some highlights include:

*What does the National Registry accept as valid continuing education?

*How will I know when I can submit my online recertification application?

*If I fail to recertify by examination, can I still get recertified?

*And many more.

Without a doubt, recertification is a critical component of EMT training. It is a protective element put in place to ensure the public’s safety as well as your own. To learn more about the refresher course at Unitek EMT, please contact us toll free at 888-790-1458.

National EMS Certification Exam Tips

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While it can be daunting to take the NREMT exam, it is a critical step in your EMS career. Not only does EMS certification serve as an important milestone, but it also protects the public and assures potential employers. To gain certification, you must take a cognitive exam as well as a psychomotor skills exam. Requirements and guidelines will vary for each type of exam (EMR, EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic).

Despite these variations, we have a list of tips that we think will help you succeed!

 

1. Study, Study, Study: We suggest using your textbook or any accompanying workbooks to help you memorize the material. Some educational programs, like Unitek’s EMT program, provide students with test prep and audio review for each chapter.

2. Know the Current AHA Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care: This is a recommendation taken straight from the NREMT website. They stress the importance of carefully reviewing the American Heart Association’s Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

It’s important to review the current, most up-to-date guidelines. Of course, you will only be tested on this material at the level of the exam you’re taking.

3. Understand What’s Best for You: At this point, you’ve probably taken countless tests throughout your educational years. You likely know what study habits work best for you. Having said that, you may not have partaken in EMS studies before.

It’s important to discern whether you study best in groups or on your own. Maybe you benefit from quizzes, flash cards, or taking notes. Discover what works for you and incorporate those techniques into your study plan.

4. Ask Classmates or Mentors to Help You: If possible, practice mock-emergency scenarios with classmates. This could be an active, engaging component in your study process. Additionally, friends or mentors in the EMS field are a valuable resource. It would likely be very helpful if they quizzed you and went over the exam process.

5. Take Everything One Step at a Time: It can be easy to get lost in the sheer amount of information you’re absorbing. It’s important to plan and tackle every component of your journey in smaller, manageable chunks.

6. Step Away from the Material: It’s equally important to take short breaks. Your brain reaches a saturation point, and it needs time to recharge. Listen to music, meditate, go for a walk, or simply move around and get your blood pumping.

7. Don’t Study the Night Before the Exam: It’s ideal to rest the night before the exam. Relax as best you can, and be sure to get a good night’s sleep. At that point, intensive study will likely make you feel stressed or anxious.

8. Plan out the Morning of the Exam: Be sure to arrive at the test center 30 minutes before the scheduled testing time. This recommendation comes from the NREMT website, as the identification and exam preparation process can take some time. Perhaps most importantly, arriving early will lessen your stress levels.

9. Don’t Forget Your Identification: You must bring the proper identification with you to the test center. Acceptable forms of identification will be outlined in your confirmation materials when you register for the exam. Remember, you can’t take the exam if you don’t have the proper form of identification.

10. There Will Only Be One Best Answer: During the exam, more than one answer might seem correct. Keep in mind that there will only be one best answer. According to the NREMT website, “The items are written to determine how you would respond when providing patient care. Incorrect responses may be misunderstandings, common mistakes or inefficient approaches that represent less-than-optimal care.”

11. Try and Focus on the Big Picture: When studying for or taking the exam, remember that the content will reflect National EMS Educational Standards, not local or state procedures. In fact, the National Registry avoids questions on specific details that have regional differences. Additionally, questions with controversial topics are generally avoided.

12. The Exam Is Meant to Reflect Current Practices: The exam primarily focuses on what healthcare personnel should do in the field. On their website, the National Registry states that the exam is not taken from any single textbook or source. Overall, the content aims to reflect currently accepted practices in EMS.

13. You Don’t Need to Be Experienced with Computers: The cognitive exam is computer based, but you don’t need to be an experienced computer user. Not only is a tutorial available before you begin the exam, but the computer testing system is designed to be used by those with even minimal computer experience.

14. Don’t Rush and Read Each Question Carefully: The exam was also designed to ensure that most people have plenty of time to complete it. According to the National Registry, many candidates spend about 30-60 seconds reading each question and thinking it over. They have also stated that less than 1% of candidates are unable to finish the exam.1

15. Don’t Get Frustrated: It’s important to remember the exam’s adaptive nature. Most people will likely think their exam is difficult, as the CAT algorithm fine-tunes the exam to match your maximum ability level. The best thing you can do is take the exam one question at a time. If you feel yourself starting to get frustrated, take deep breaths and try not to think ahead.

Perhaps the best preparation for the NREMT exam is the right educational program. To learn more about Unitek’s EMT program, please review our EMT training page or check out our EMT career overview.

If you’re interested in the EMT program, we can be reached toll free at 888-790-1458.

 


1 https://www.nremt.org/rwd/public/document/cognitive-exam

Unitek EMT: Continuing Education Overview

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Looking to enhance your career in emergency medical services? At Unitek EMT, we offer a myriad of continuing education courses. These contemporary EMS courses maintain industry standards, and they’ll equip you with various cutting-edge techniques. They will also prepare you by providing the knowledge needed for current industry certifications. Taught by experts in the field, our dynamic courses include conceptual learning, simulation training, and real-world scenarios.

If we’ve caught your interest, join us for a brief overview of continuing education at Unitek EMT!

Basic Life Support Continuing Education Course

Most people understand the significance of CPR, but they may not have a true appreciation for it. To put this into perspective, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States. Of that number, approximately 46% receive the immediate assistance they need before professional help arrives.

The BLS course aims to reduce these numbers by training participants to quickly recognize life-threatening emergencies, correctly provide chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations, and provide early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). This course can be completed in as little as 4 hours, which includes the time needed for skills practice as well as skills testing. Additionally, our BLS instructors are certified with the American Heart Association.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support Continuing Education Course

While the BLS course provides participants with basic knowledge, those enrolled in our advanced course will gain additional skills. The class benefits healthcare professionals that must work as a team to increase survivability for victims of cardiac arrest, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and stroke events. With an emphasis on cutting-edge science and state-of-the-art research, our ACLS course will help students build the skillset they’ll need to utilize in the field.

Initial skill assessments include EKG rhythms and dysrhythmias, pharmacodynamics for common ACLS drugs, and performance of high quality CPR and BVM ventilations. The initial course is both efficient and convenient, as it can be completed in approximately 12 hours. It’s important to note that we also offer an ACLS update course, and it can be completed in about 6 hours.

To give you a better idea of what the class entails, we’re including a course outline below:

+ Lesson 1: Life Is Why
+ Lesson 2: Science of Resuscitation
+ Lesson 3: Systematic Approach
+ Lesson 4: High Quality BLS
+ Lesson 5: Airway Management
+ Lesson 6: Acute Coronary Syndrome
+ Lesson 7: Acute Ischemic Stroke
+ Lesson 8: Team Dynamics
+ Lesson 9: Megacode
+ Lesson 10: Post Cardiac Care
+ Lesson 11: Intraosseous Access

EMT Refresher Continuing Education Course

Once you have completed your EMT training, and you’ve worked in the field, you will eventually need to take a refresher course. EMT certification is essential, but so is EMT recertification. Our comprehensive, 3-day course provides students with the required 24 hours of continuing education. If you choose this course, you’ll also have the opportunity to complete the skills verification form for state recertification.

During the 24-hour period, participants will receive a refresher course on the following topics: preparatory; airway; OB, infants, children; patient assessment; medical/behavior; trauma; and elective. At Unitek EMT, we strive to support and prepare our students. Because of this, we utilize medical equipment, an actual ambulance, and real-world training scenarios. The training may be rigorous, but it is designed to prepare students both physically and mentally.

In the end, there are many reasons to work in emergency medical services. Sometimes these reasons are personal and unique, but more often than not, these reasons are commonly shared. They might include the fulfilling nature of the work, or the human, challenging aspects of it. Others seek EMS work because it isn’t contained to an office. It’s different, and in some ways, the work is timeless—EMS professionals will always be needed.

Enhance your career with Unitek EMT!

National EMS Certification Process

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The importance of national certification

If you’re pursuing a career in emergency medical services, it’s important to be aware of the certification process. After all, national EMS certification attests to the competence of an EMS professional. It also assures the public, licensing officials, and potential employers. In the United States, EMS certification is provided by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). As they state on their website, NREMT holds EMS workers to a standard that every American citizen deserves.

Before seeking certification, you must do two things: complete an approved educational program and meet the NREMT’s eligibility requirements. Afterward, you will be required to pass cognitive and psychomotor examinations. Because certification differs for each EMS worker, we’re going to individually look at the process for EMRs, EMTs, A-EMTs, and Paramedics.

About EMR certification

Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) provide immediate care to patients. They have the necessary skillset to perform lifesaving techniques, and they assist higher-level personnel during emergency situations. If you’re interested in EMR certification, carefully review the following requirements:

+ Complete a state-approved EMR course that meets the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards for Emergency Medical Responders.

Note from the NREMT: Candidates must have completed the course within the past two years. Additionally, the course’s program director must verify successful course completion on the National Registry website.

+ Possess a current CPR-BLS for “Healthcare Provider” or equivalent credential.

+ Pass the EMR cognitive examination and a state-approved psychomotor examination. It’s important to note that some states integrate the psychomotor exam into the EMR course (contact your state EMS office or course instructor for guidance).

Requirements for EMT certification

Like EMRs, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) provide immediate care. They respond to emergency calls, act as first responders, and safely transport patients. They possess the knowledge to stabilize patients in need of emergency intervention. In short, EMTs are a critical link between emergency situations and the healthcare system. For those seeking EMT certification, the following requirements must be met:

+ Candidates must be 18 years of age or older.

+ Complete a state-approved EMT course that meets the National Emergency Medical Services      Education Standards for Emergency Medical Technicians.

Note from the NREMT: Candidates must have completed the course within the past two years. Additionally, the course’s program director must verify successful course completion on the National Registry website.

+ Possess a current CPR-BLS for “Healthcare Provider” or equivalent credential.

+ Successfully complete the National Registry cognitive (knowledge) exam and a state-approved psychomotor (skills) exam.

At Unitek EMT, we provide conceptual learning and hands-on EMT training. Not only is our program taught by current experts, but it also educates students through a combination of professional lectures, active learning, and simulation training. By the end of the program, students will have spent 14 days in our Boot Camp1 (several days are spent in a clinical rotation). Additionally, we conduct the psychomotor skills exam on the last day of the program.

If you’re looking for other EMT courses, we also offer an EMT refresher course in California and Arizona. It’s equally important to seek recertification and stay up-to-date. Other continuing education courses include Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. In the healthcare industry, education is perhaps your most powerful tool. It’s important to note that most EMS professions require personnel to seek recertification every two years.

The A-EMT certification process

Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (A-EMTs) provide basic emergency medical care. To a degree, they also provide advanced emergency medical care. They are capable of utilizing both basic and advanced equipment typically found in ambulances. Below are the requirements for A-EMT national certification:

+ Candidates must be 18 years of age or older.

+ Must possess current National Registry certification (NREMT) or a state license at the EMT level.

+ Complete a state-approved A-EMT course that meets the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards for Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians.

Note from the NREMT: Candidates must have completed the course within the past two years. Additionally, the course’s program director must verify successful course completion on the National Registry website.

+ Hold a current CPR-BLS for “Healthcare Provider” or equivalent credential.

+ Pass the National Registry cognitive exam and psychomotor exam.

Paramedic certification

You’re probably very familiar with the word “Paramedic.” Paramedics have the knowledge and skills to provide advanced emergency care. When the occasion calls for it, they are capable of operating both basic and advanced ambulatory equipment. If you’d like to pursue Paramedic certification, below are the necessary requirements:

+ Candidates must be 18 years of age or older.

+ Hold current, national EMT certification (National Registry) or a state license at the EMT level/or higher.

+ Successfully complete a CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic program (or a program that has been issued a CoAEMSP “Letter of Review”) within the past two years. The course’s program director must confirm that the candidate passed the course through the National Registry website.

+ According to the NREMT, candidates who started their Paramedic program after August 1, 2016 are required to complete a psychomotor competency portfolio.

Note from the NREMT: Program directors must verify that candidates have met the requirements of the portfolio through the National Registry website.

+ Hold a current CPR-BLS for “Healthcare Provider” or equivalent credential.

+ Pass the National Registry cognitive exam and psychomotor exam.

We hope this overview has explained the certification process and provided you with valuable information for your future. National certification is absolutely vital when it comes to ensuring the safety of the public. If you’re considering a career as an EMT, we would encourage you to explore Unitek EMT and all our courses have to offer.

 


1 EMT Boot Camp is the portion of the EMT program that includes intensive on-campus education, daily lectures, and hands-on skills. The EMT program also includes a 50+ hour online portion of the program that must be completed prior to graduation.

Job Market Growth for EMTs

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A closer look at the EMT profession 

If you’re interested in emergency medical services (EMS), you might want to learn more about two key EMS careers: paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). These rescue workers treat the sick or injured in emergency situations. Due to the nature of the job, lives often hinge on the competence and quick thinking of these first responders. Both EMTs and paramedics answer emergency calls, render aid in the prehospital setting, and transfer patients to healthcare facilities.

The daily life of an Emergency Medical Technician

When making a big career change, it’s often helpful to picture your daily life and how it might look. For example, think about an EMT’s responsibilities, how they spend the bulk of their time, and what they might encounter on the job. Typically, EMT job descriptions include the following duties:

+ Provide emergency medical assistance for 911 calls, which may include dressing wounds or performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

+ Evaluate a patient’s condition and decide on a course of treatment

+ Deliver first-aid treatment or life support care

+ Carefully transport patients in an ambulance

+ Relay all observations and treatment to physicians, nurses, or other personnel

+ Document medical care given to patients

+ Operate emergency vehicles, utilize radio communication systems and interface with emergency departments

Take EMT Courses at Unitek EMT and Join a Growing Field

EMTs can work in various settings

In 2016 alone, EMTs and paramedics held about 248,000 jobs. The largest employers included ambulance services, local government, and hospitals. EMS workers will always be in demand. Healthcare is a necessity, and medical emergencies are commonplace. As you have probably noticed, EMTs and paramedics work in a variety of settings in and out of the hospital. Since their work environment is mobile, it can include all types of weather.

Because EMTs can be called into service in any environment, they must adapt and overcome various challenges that differ from many other medical professions. Additionally, it’s important to consider the physical stressors of the job. EMTs must be able to lift and maneuver patients with relative speed and good body mechanics. It’s also important to consider your scheduling needs. Some EMT companies work twenty-hour shifts, overnight, or on weekends. As with most professions, income for jobs with EMT certification varies by the state.

Projected job growth for EMTs and paramedics

Employment of Emergency Medical Technicians is expected to grow 15 percent by 2026.1 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this rate is much faster than the average of all occupations. The need for EMTs and paramedics will rise due to emergencies like car crashes, natural disasters, and violent acts. The aging baby-boomer population will require more emergency medical services as well. Specifically, there will likely be an increase in age-related emergencies, such as strokes and heart attacks. Additionally, a growing number of specialized medical facilities will need more EMTs and paramedics to transport patients. All of these factors will contribute to a greater demand for EMS workers.

How to become an EMT

If you’re wondering how to become an EMT, the straightest path is to attend an EMT school and enroll in a program that suits your needs. Unitek EMT offers one such program in Chandler, Arizona. Their 14-Day Boot Camp will prepare you by providing expert lectures, hands-on exercises, clinical simulations, and general EMT training. Every state requires certification for EMTs and paramedics, though specific requirements may vary depending on the state.

Job Growth for EMTs and Paramedics

About the NREMT exam

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) can certify EMTs at the national level. It’s important to note that you must complete a certified program and pass the national exam in order to gain NREMT certification. Additionally, the national exam has written and practical components. At Unitek EMT, the practical component—called the psychomotor skills examination—is conducted on the last day of the program.

Unitek also provides EMT students with NREMT Test Prep assistance courseware as well as a personal touch that may not be offered at other programs. Seasoned instructors will walk you through the NREMT application process, and Unitek EMT will pay the NREMT examination fee for successful graduates.2 We hope you’ll view this support as another incentive to help springboard your career.

Enroll in Unitek’s EMT program

Without a doubt, the job market is bright for EMTs and paramedics. Due to the critical nature of the job, and contributing factors such as the aging baby-boomer population, a growing number of specialized medical facilities, and the necessity of emergency medical services, the expected increase in employment opportunities seems both logical and unavoidable. If you’re interested in the EMS field, we strongly encourage you to consider preparing for a career as an EMT through training at Unitek EMT.

For more information about Unitek EMT, please visit our website or contact us toll-free at 888-790-1458.


1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm
2 If a student fails to pass the NREMT exam on their first attempt, Unitek will pay for the student to take the exam one additional time.

Unitek EMT and the Key Advantages of the Program

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No matter where you live, you know the sound of an ambulance’s siren. The piercing wail is a familiar noise in cities and suburbs alike. For many, sirens promise two things: danger and aid. Whether it’s a high-stakes incident or a calm, quiet transport, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) respond to emergency calls and provide immediate care. Other people’s lives often depend on the proper training and education of these first responders.

At Unitek EMT, we offer an EMT program that is both comprehensive and efficient. While it has several key advantages, the biggest draw is usually our speedy timeline: students receive EMT training through our 14-Day EMT Boot Camp. This program prepares the EMTs of tomorrow for the NREMT exam, EMT certification, and careers in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Join over 4,000 graduates at Unitek EMT!

Unitek EMT and the key advantages of the program

Another key advantage of Unitek EMT is our up-to-date curriculum

To prepare students for the current EMS environment, we utilize a combination of hands-on exercises, clinical simulations, and professional lectures taught by experts. This dynamic approach often includes cutting-edge technology.  At Unitek, we think there’s a critical connection between technology, healthcare, and education.

If you’re seeking NREMT recertification, Unitek also offers an EMT Refresher course. Our roster also includes a Basic Life Support continuing education course. Both of these courses are designed to help healthcare professionals hone their skills. When every second counts, preparation and training are paramount.

Receive hands-on experience while assessing situations

As you may have guessed, we don’t think classroom instruction is enough. While that’s a vital component of our program, it’s equally important for EMT students to partake in real-world training scenarios. During these disaster simulations, our students receive hands-on experience while assessing situations and responding to complex incidents. For instance, our EMT program covers topics like Airway Management, Trauma Overview, Neurological Emergencies, Chest Injuries, Auto Extrication, and much more. Throughout the learning process, veteran EMS professionals will not only train students for the NREMT exam, but they will equip them with the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed.

Hands on EMT Training - Unitek EMT

Financial obstacles shouldn’t stand in the way of your dreams. At Unitek EMT, you won’t run into any hidden fees or service charges. Our Boot Camp features one affordable, all-inclusive price that covers necessities like hands-on training, clinical simulations, and in-class meals. We know it can be difficult to find the right EMT school, but applicants will likely be compatible with a program that can meet their financial needs, learning preferences, and scheduling requirements.

Reasons for pursuing an EMT career

In the end, you probably have several reasons for pursuing an EMT career. Regardless, your choice is very noteworthy, and it’s one that will provide the community with an invaluable service. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” No matter where you live, sirens are a commonplace sound. They can elicit reactions that range from discomfort to total, full-body relief. The next time you hear an ambulance’s siren, we hope you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the EMTs at the wheel.

For more information about Unitek EMT, please contact us toll-free at 888-790-1458.

EMT Students to Participate in Operation Rolling Chaos Training Exercise

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On April 5th, Unitek EMT is hosting Operation Urban Rescue, one of the largest multi-agency, mass-casualty training simulations ever held in the Bay Area. This year’s scenario is a large-scale military and civilian response to a simulated domestic disturbance in Fremont, California.

Participants will respond to an armed insurgent threat, improvised explosive devices, hazardous materials, critical medical conditions, and a massive disaster scene. Operation Urban Rescue aims to prepare the community for a major disaster by facilitating collaboration between government and civilian emergency medical services.

In addition to training current EMTs, Operation Urban Rescue serves as a training exercise for Unitek EMT’s students. Before they graduate, EMT students are given the opportunity to respond to the needs of critically injured patients in the field. Students learn to assess, treat, and move live patients efficiently in a real-world setting. Our training exercises take students out of the classroom and put them in a controlled environment in order to best train the next generation of medical personnel.

Last year’s event, Operation Rolling Chaos, was a tremendous achievement. We had more than 400 participants, including 100 military personnel and 200 live patients. Operation Rolling Chaos used 25 vehicles to simulate the breaking of Anderson Dam, including 12 cars, 2 buses, 8 ambulances, 4 military Humvees, 3 military transport trucks, and 3 helicopter landings. Eric O’Neal, a Unitek EMT instructor who participated in the event, called Operation Rolling Chaos a success, adding that

the event was a dynamic test in both working knowledge and fortitude. My guys were truly put to the test in every sense of the word. Operation Rolling Chaos ended up being physically, emotionally and didactically challenging for some. However, everyone walked away sensing that they took part in a phenomenal exercise that made them a better provider.

Unitek EMT’s mass casualty training exercises allow government agencies and civilians to interact in a way that they wouldn’t usually—until a major disaster hits. They also allow EMT students the opportunity to practice their skills in real-life situations before they’re needed to respond to a real disaster.

For more information about Operation Rolling Chaos and our annual mass-casualty training exercises, visit mascaltraining.com. Unitek EMT’s 14-Day Boot Camp is an extraordinary program that prepares students for their NREMT over 2 weeks of intense training and real-life simulations. For more information about our 14-Day Boot Camp, click here.

EMT Boot Camp* Students Help a Patient in Need

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Unitek EMT students help an elderly patient get her Kindle back.

Unitek EMT students help an elderly patient get her Kindle back.

When you think of Emergency Medical Services, you probably think of heart-pounding action, heroic rescues, and dramatic life or death situations. While these things definitely happen over the course of an EMT career, they are (hopefully) few and far between. Some of the most memorable moments in an EMT’s career are the quietest and calmest. Madeline, a student of Unitek EMT’s Boot Camp*, got to experience this before she even graduated and became a certified EMT.

While completing her hands-on training with a local ambulance company, she and her coworkers were called to a code one: non-urgent patient transport. The patient they were to care for turned out to be Mrs. Jones, a retired Rosie the Riveter, who now had no immediate family and was recently diagnosed with cancer. Madeline and her coworkers were to take Mrs. Jones to a near-by hospital for her first of many radiation treatments.

Madeline and Mrs. Jones got to talking during their drive. They started talking about what they like to do, and discovered they had a shared interest in reading. Mrs. Jones loved reading on her Kindle. It enabled her to read a new book almost every day, and experience things she could no longer do. She was hoping to use the Kindle as a distraction from her impending cancer treatment. Unfortunately, a few days prior, one of Mrs. Jones’ nurses dropped her Kindle in a bucket of sanitizing solution, rendering it completely useless.

Madeline had formed a bond with Mrs. Jones, a bond stronger than the typical EMT-patient relationship. After hearing about the recent events involving her Kindle, Madeline wanted to help. Mrs. Jones had no where to turn, and no one to turn to, so Madeline stepped up. In class the next day, Madeline shared Mrs. Jones’ story with her class. The entire class wanted to help, and everyone offered to pitch in so they could afford to purchase a Kindle. Inspired by their class going above and beyond the call of duty, the EMT Boot Camp* Instructors brought Mrs. Jones’ story to Unitek EMT management. Unitek EMT wanted to help too. The company bought Mrs. Jones a Kindle, and arranged for Madeline and an Instructor to deliver the Kindle to Mrs. Jones.

Mrs. Jones was ecstatic. She thought she would never read again. She thought her radiation treatment would be long and lonely. But thanks to Madeline’s support and Unitek EMT’s generosity, she once again had the power to immerse herself in new worlds. And Madeline, she is just happy to make a difference in the life of a patient, says she “had the best day ever.” As an EMT, she will have many great days ahead of her, as she continues to go above and beyond the call of duty to help her patients.

Baseball Coach Becomes EMT for the Sake of His Team

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Head Softball Coach at Jefferson County Middle High School, Coach Brown, has been witness to his fair share of injuries on and off the field. After watching too many players suffer asthma attacks and broken bones, Coach Brown decided he could do something to help. He decided to become a certified Emergency Medical Technician. “I felt the need to upgrade my personal knowledge of onsite emergency medical care. Medical emergencies for my players could happen again during a practice, or a home game, or while traveling to and from games.”

Coach Brown didn’t have to become a certified EMT. But the compassion he felt towards his players, and his concern for their safety, drove him to do so. It is the same compassion that drives all EMTs – the desire to care for others in times of need. Friends say Brown has a “softspot” for the players he coaches. Brown agrees that he most definitely does.

Brown wanted to be well-versed in emergency medical care so he could help players in time of need – but not any type of first-aid training would do. “I decided to train as an EMT. However, my personal schedule and limited available time outside of softball made scheduling a long-term course much too difficult,” says Coach Brown. His solution: Unitek EMT Boot Camp*.

Coach Brown becomes an EMT EMT Boot Camp* at Unitek EMT fit his schedule perfectly. He flew to California for an intense boot camp* of hands-on EMT training, emergency drills, and classroom lectures. “The Boot Camp-style training conducted by Unitek EMT,” which compresses months of training into 14 non-stop days in boot camp*, Brown says, “taught everything that I would have learned in a long term course.”

Some of Brown’s classmates entered EMT Boot Camp* nervous about the 12 to 14 hour days – information overload or lack of sleep. “I can say without reservation that this did not happen,” says Brown. Instead, EMT Boot Camp* was 14 consecutive days of excitement, engagement, and all-things-EMT.

Coach Brown enjoyed every aspect of EMT Boot Camp*. From the course organization and leadership, to the curriculum, to the hands-on training. “The course content and organization was excellent. The individual instructors were all professionals in their field and as dynamic as you could ever want,” says Brown. “The curriculum was a mix of classroom and many outside practical exercises.”

He also very much enjoyed the hands-on EMT training he received in the form of ambulance ride-along training. “They were invaluable for my training and gave me a true and up close appreciation for the professional services that community EMS services provide.” Coach Brown saw exactly how diverse the Bay Area could be: Coach Brown rode along with Paramedics and EMTs at Advanced Life Support (ALS) Company in downtown San Francisco, an experience he will never forget. His team fielded calls “ranging from a French tourist fainting in a museum, to a death from cardiac arrest. In between, there was a motorcycle versus car crash, a stroke patient, a second cardiac emergency, and a severe bloody beating of an HIV-positive man.”

After graduating from Unitek EMT Boot Camp*, Brown says he “sees things in a different light.” He assesses situations, spotting potential dangers; and if something does happen, he feels confident in his ability to respond effectively.

Boot Camp* Graduate, and now certified EMT, Coach Brown embodies the Unitek motto of “going beyond the call of duty”. Coach Brown went beyond what was required of him as a coach, and made himself an invaluable asset to the Jefferson County community.

How to Choose an EMT Training Course in the Bay Area

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So you have made the decision to become an EMT, and are now looking for the best EMT Training course in the Bay Area. The key to getting the best EMT training is choosing one that fits your schedule and your objectives. So the first challenge in becoming an EMT? Finding the right EMT training course for you. (Once you’re in class, you can tackle all those other EMT-related challenges). There are certain class criteria and certain personality traits, that, when aligned, create the best possible outcome for future EMTs. When choosing an EMT course, be sure to consider the following: course prerequisites, the length of the course, the caliber of the instructors, the level of real-world hands-on training versus time spent in the classroom, the graduation rate, and the careers that alumni of the course go into.

Pre-requisites All EMT Training pre-requisites require that candidates have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Course length How soon will start your EMT career? A few years? Six months? Two weeks? Course lengths vary, and your desired time frame depends on personal circumstances and current work situations, so choose what works best for you. Accelerated EMT courses or boot camps may be more intense, but they are more engaging and exciting, so keep that in mind.

Caliber of instructors Your instructors will be transferring their knowledge to you. You want to learn from the best, so you can be the best. Choose a course where the instructors are experienced and eager to share their knowledge.

Hands-on training Do you want to sit through EMT training in a classroom, falling asleep at a desk while trying to listen to a lecture? Or do you want EMT training that happens in real ambulances with state-of-the-art equipment, in the real world, with real life simulations, leaving you no option but to be prepared for the real deal once you start your career?

Graduation rate You want a course that prepares you to be a successful and effective Emergency Medical Technician. When comparing courses, ask the following: Did previous students get though the course successfully? How many passed the NREMT? And most importantly, did the course prepare those students to be the best in their field? Whether you’re looking at an EMT Refresher course or EMT Boot Camp – all EMT training should prepare students to pass all required tests and excel in the work force.

Alumni employment rate So you went through that grueling EMT training – the blood, sweat, and tears have dried. All that work shouldn’t be done in vain. What are you going to do after you pass the NREMT and obtain your EMT certification? A good indicator of opportunities for new graduates is the jobs that graduates of the course now have. Choose a course that not only prepares students for an exciting career, but assists them in procuring one in the first place. Career help is vital, and should be a major focus of any EMT Training.

Next Steps Once you have done due diligence on the programs you are interested in, a clear winner should emerge – one that fits your schedule, your learning style, and your career aspirations. Call our EMT admissions team and our admissions advisors will introduce you to our program, help you enroll, and work out all the other details of your training. Call 888-790-1458 to register for EMT training now!