Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Course Description
This course highlights the basic knowledge and skills necessary for individuals who wish to obtain state or national certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and adheres to the 2021 National EMS Education Standards. The National EMS Education Standards outline the minimal competencies for entry-level EMS clinicians to perform their roles as outlined in the 2019 and 2021 updated National EMS Scope of Practice Model. Courses include an in-class option as well as a hybrid option.
Course Overview
In-Person: The in-person course consists of 178 hours of classroom time that includes hands-on skills training sessions.
Hybrid/Online Course: The online course is a self-directed, interactive, distance learning course. This course is 200 clock hours and allows for 132 online hours of student module time, 56 hours of in-person lab/skills time (students must complete required online content to attend)
Both courses require the student to complete one 12-hour shift in the Prehospital setting where they will ride-along with an ambulance or fire department crew. Students are also required to work one, 4-hour shift at Helping Hands Respite.
Students who successfully complete either of our EMT program options are eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs cognitive exam which is a computer adaptive test (CAT).
Course Registration and Application Process
You can register and pay for this course online. Enrollment into the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course is a two-step process. Step 1 includes registering and making the tuition, book and lab fee payment. Step 2 includes completion and submission of the pre-course work in Canvas. All pre-course work must be complete prior to attending the course.
A maximum of 30 students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Describe the essential elements for the safe and efficient response to the scene of a medical emergency
- Perform a thorough patient assessment for signs and symptoms of illnesses and injuries
- Provide prompt and efficient basic emergency care to the sick and injured
- Safely handle and prepare the patient for transportation
- Describe the essential elements of safe and orderly transportation of the patient to the hospital and the transfer of patient care to the appropriate hospital staff
Required Hours
All class sessions are required to attend for both the in-person and the online EMT program. There is a maximum of 8 hours of class that can be missed for any reason so make sure you are free on the dates class is scheduled.
We also have optional study lab on Wednesday evenings for extra skills practice, tutoring or testing.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants must:
- Be 17 years of age on the first day of class (Washington state licensure requires candidate to be 18 years of age at time of application) and 18 years of age to attend field internship.
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent (a variance may be requested if still in high school).
- Be physically capable of performing the essential duties of an EMT.
- Hold a current CPR course completion card at the American Heart Association BLS level. (This certification is obtained during the in person program as part of the curriculum. Online students may sign up for a BLS skills check to be complete on the first day of in-person skills. Using this link.
- Must successfully pass a criminal background check
- Have complete immunization records (or titer results showing immunity) to include but not limited to:
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Rubeola
- Tdap within the past 10 years
- Varicella
- TB test results (results must be within the immediate past year)
- *Hepatitis B Series, if not completed, documentation of starting the series
- *Covid-19
- *Seasonal Flu Vaccination Proof of immunization records are required as a contractual obligation with our affiliated clinical and internship sites.
*Declinations and/or exemptions are only allowed for immunizations with an asterisk * by it. However, they may not be accepted by all agencies.
Course Tuition
Total cost of the program is $1644. Tuition is $1,219 plus $325 for the textbook and $100 lab fee. The total cost must be paid at time of registration. Book and Lab fees and a $100 admin fee are non-refundable after registration. Fees are subject to change.
The in-person EMT course is eligible for veterans to use their GI Bill® to cover the cost of the program.
Testing and Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, students will take the practical skills examination that is recognized by the Washington State Department of Health, EMS Education and Training Section. Students will receive a certificate of completion upon successful completion of the course. This includes getting an 80% or above in the didactic portion of class, passing the practical skills exam, and completing all clinical/field time required for the program. Once complete, students will then be allowed to take the National Registry of EMTs cognitive computer adaptive test (CAT).
To register with the National Registry of EMTs visit nremt.org.
View the Washington State Department of Health's EMT Certification Requirements.