Starting out...

How did you get your start doing emt work, and what career moves did you make to get to your current position?

Do you need a particular educational background?

I'm a volunteer EMT - in the process of looking for a full-time position. The community that I live in provided free training for EMT-B and a one-year commitment following passing the National Registry test. Since then I've been on the squad for 3 going on to 4 years.

No particular background, just need good study habits (lots of reading and personal study time) and the ability to get hands-on. You will be touching a lot of people and getting into close personal spaces. Some of those skills will develop as you respond more.

As the same as Henr you don't need too much educational background except your local training facility that offers EMT-B Training. You can't be a paramedic without your Basic first. I just called a place took the course and had to study really hard because in MA you need a 70 to pass which isn't that hard. You'll want to get your paramedic if 911 is what you want to do because EMS is going all ALS.

Being in EMS can be very rewarding. You will help out alot of people, but at the same time people will die no matter how well you take care of them. Just the way it is. I have done ems full and part time for about 5 years. It is not rocket science and not really difficult to learn. Just memorization of procedures. Alot just comes with time and repitition. Some people do this job their whole life. Others like myself get burned out. You will see more than you can imagine, and unfortunately, alot of it is not good. As someone else here stated, to get anywhere you need to go ahead and get you Paramedic cert. Alot of places nowdays will not hire Basics.

What about your civil record like driving record, isdemenaors, felonies things like that can you still be an emt if you have a convivtion on your recoed??

I'm actually deciding to maybe take a course for the EMT basic since it's related to my bio major.

Are the hours really heptic if your planning to work and go to school?

Fredrick in Santa Monica, California said: I'm actually deciding to maybe take a course for the EMT basic since it's related to my bio major.

Are the hours really heptic if your planning to work and go to school?

EMT school and Ambulance to start and upgrading to an ER-technician job is a great route to take. Once you have experience you can try for Paramedic/nurse/ect... I use emspursuit.com for California job postings. Lots of ER-tech positions available to apply to...