You can become an Emergency Medical Technician in Michigan, United States by first finding an EMT training program at a well-known college or institution.
EMTs have less training and duties compared to paramedics and therefore also receive less pay. However, both jobs are essential in the emergency services field.
If you plan to work as an EMT, there are some questions that you need to ask yourself.
- How well can you handle stress?
- Are you ready to risk your life?
- Do you wish to make a difference in people’s lives?
- Are you ready to work long hours and get less sleep?
- Are you physically and mentally fit?
Michigan offers different types of EMT related courses including:
- EMT Basic training
- EMT Level 1
- EMT Paramedic
- Emergency First Responder.
They also offer Fire Emergency Technology Degrees and Paramedic Technician Degrees. EMT, Paramedic and First Responder courses are also offered.
The Requirements for EMT Certification in Michigan.
There is a certain list of things required to become an EMT in Michigan.
- You must graduate high school
- You must be 18+
- You must pass background checks
- You must pass drug screening tests.
You must meet these requirements to become an EMT:
- Attend a course that is approved in Michigan
- Sit for an pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam
- Complete the EMT basic training before you can move to the advanced training.
The Physical requirements.
You obviously need to be as physically fit as possible because being an EMT requires you to lift patients and place them in an ambulance. You may need to lift 200+ pounds all on your own and it will be difficult for you if you are not physically fit. You need to complete a physical exam too to make sure you are physically fit and healthy enough to work in this field. It is also very necessary to get vaccines and get tested for TB.
Michigan Class Details.
There are some topics in the course that are important to complete while some are optional. The extra-curricular activities will also differ from college to college. Some programs are for certificate while some will be for the associate’s degree. Here are some colleges that you can check out:
Baker college of Cadillac. The EMT basic training at this college provides the education that you will need to pass the National Registry Exam. The courses will train you to be able to make assessments on patients and discover what they are suffering from, provide the required treatment and to respond to emergencies. You will ultimately receive the license for EMT basic training.
The EMT Intermediate training provides you with advanced knowledge in intravenous therapy and advanced airway techniques. The course will train and teach you to treat patients on the scene, while transporting them and also at medical care facilities. The course meets the requirements for an EMT specialist and it also qualifies you to take the National Registry EMT exam.
Oakland Community College. The EMT basic program at Oakland Community College includes clinical training and classroom studying. The course will train you to take the National Registry EMT Exam and also obtain Michigan licensure as an EMT. Moreover, you will also receive a certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, vehicle extrication and hazardous material awareness.
Once you have completed your EMT basic program at this college, you can start training as an EMT with EMT Intermediate Certification program or you can advance your career after completing the EMT basic course. The program includes anatomy, physiology and extra clinical hours in addition to the coursework in the EMT basic program.
The Paramedic program. Completing the paramedic program requires you to complete coursework in anatomy, physiology, intubation, cardiology and extended clinical training. The paramedic program and extended training will qualify you to take the National Registry EMT exam for paramedics.
The Tuition and Fees.
Baker College of Cadillac: $9,800 for all students
Oakland Community College: $2,408 for Michigan residents and $4,472 for out-of-state students.
EMT Course Curriculum.
The aim of the EMT course curriculum is to provide students with a framework of skills and experiences required not only to pass the EMT exam but also to be able to work as an EMT.
The topics covered will depend on which level the student has reached in; whether it is the EMT basic, EMT Intermediate or Paramedic training.
Some of the topics include:
- Assessing patients
- Assessing emergency situations
- Airway management
- Splinting and bandaging
- How to provide CPR
- Blood loss control
- Management of head and neck injuries
- Life support for adults, children and infants
- Training to give medication
- Conducting cardiac tests.
EMT Training Online – Michigan
Online training is designed to enable students to work at their own pace. It also makes it easier for students who are parenting or working to fit studying into their schedule.
How to apply:
- Complete an online application form
- Submit a scanned copy of a government issued photo ID
- Submit proof of high school graduation or GED completion
- Make the course payment.
How it works: The student has 6 months to complete all aspects of the course which includes the informative portion, hands-on and clinical rotations.
The informative portion has to be completed in 140 hours.
The hands-on skills will take two days and one day for the Nationally Registered Testing. These dates will be given in advance to accommodate students’ schedules.
The clinical rotations are provided by several major hospitals throughout the U.S. Students are required to complete 48 hours of EMS time with at least 6 emergency patient transports and 24 hours of Emergency Department time.
EMT Training Courses FAQs
How long does it take to get certified as an EMT? The EMT Basic training program can take up to 3 weeks to complete. EMT Intermediate programs can take between 30 to 300 hours to complete. To get an associate’s degree or take up a paramedic program, it may take between 6 months to two years to complete.
What is the fastest way to become an EMT? First, complete the EMT basic training. Next, pass a National or State exam to become certified. Then, complete the advanced EMT training and finally, complete a two year degree program. (Optional)
How much does EMT training cost? The EMT training typical cost a total of $8200 including books and tuition.
Can I get a financial aid for EMT training? For EMT basic training, you can receive up to $500 while for the EMT-Paramedic course you can receive $5000 in scholarship aid for which you have to apply before the deadline.
Is it hard to become an EMT? Being an EMT, there is a risk of being exposed to various diseases. It also requires spending a lot of time at school and studying.