Northwest Technical College
Bemidji, Minnesota

Emergency Medical Technician - Basic

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) have been around since the 1970's and make up a large number of the medical transport personnel in most states today. EMT's are typically dispatched to the scene by a 911 operator and often work with a police or fire department. They are highly trained providers who care for the critically ill and injured in a pre-hospital environment under adverse conditions. All EMT's must know how to assess an emergency scene, control bleeding, apply splints, assist with childbirth, administer oxygen and perform CPR and other basic life support skills.

This program is the entry level certification course into the field of Emergency Medical Services. It is designed to prepare the learner to take the state written and practical EMT exam by the National Registry of EMT's. The EMT Basic program will provide you with plenty of hands-on experience in how to perform physical exams, assess trauma, administer oxygen, perform airway maintenance, semi-automatic defibrillation, and pharmacology.

The learner is required to complete a minimum of 110 classroom hours. Additional components of the class include required ambulance observation ride-alongs, 8 hours of required hands-on observation time in designated emergency departments, and 10 patient contacts. In addition to having a high school diploma or GED, enrollees will need to complete CPR for the Healthcare Provider, immunization records and a background check.

Successful EMTs are calm under pressure, compassionate, good at problem solving, and have the desire to help people in need.