There are three different levels of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) that somebody can go through with our department.
The entry level EMS position within our department is an EMT-Basic. This class is a 200+ hour classroom and lab course in which you learn how to recognize and treat various illness and injuries that someone can present with in the pre-hospital setting. This course is offered in local colleges on a semester long course. In addition to passing the course, there is a national certification exam that each student must pass at the end of the course. Once you have successfully completed the EMT-B course and passed the certification exam we will the consider you to come join the team as a reservist within the department. Once onboard, as a team member you’ll have the opportunity to treat and transport the sick and injured. You will have the opportunity to care for and stabilize patients who are critically ill or injured and in need. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your new craft while gaining valuable experience.
The next level is the Advanced –EMT(A-EMT). The prerequisite to entry into the A-EMT class is successful completion of the EMT-B course. This course is a step up in both the content that is taught and the skills that the EMT can perform. This course is an additional 70-80 hours to the EMT-B course. There is a national certification test that each student must pass prior to utilizing at this level within our department. This course is offered as the need arises within the department. The A-EMT is qualified to start Intravenous infusions and perform some advanced airway techniques to a critically / ill / injured patient.
The highest level of certification is the Paramedic. The prerequisite into the paramedic course is that they must be an EMT-B first and preferably an A-EMT prior to the start of this course. The paramedic course and intern program is over two years long. This course is offered at SpokaneCommunity College and we continue to send our EMTs / Firefighters to this course based on a testing and selection process. This intense course is made up of over 1000 classroom and lab hours. In addition the student has clinical rotations in the hospital setting. As they complete their classroom portion they then start treating patients during a supervisory period of time. As with the other levels of certification there is a national certification test that the student must pass. The paramedic is qualified to perform a wide range of procedures and skills. They are generally the senior medical person in the pre-hospital setting and as such must possess strong leadership skills.