If you are enrolling in an emergency medical technician (EMT) program in Florida, you must choose a program that is approved by the Department of Health in order for it to count towards your certification. Florida Gateway College, St. Johns River State College, and the College of Central Florida are just a few examples of institutions that are approved by the Department of Health.
Finding EMT certification recommendations in Florida can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. If a program is not accredited or approved by the Florida Department of Health, your credits may not count towards your certification, which would waste your time and money as it means you’ll need to complete a new program that’s actually accredited.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what EMTs do, find a few approved programs you can check out, and explore how to complete your EMT certification.
What Is an EMT?
EMTs work as emergency medical service (EMS) professionals and run above emergency medical responders (EMRs). EMTs respond to emergencies and provide life-saving care to patients at the scene of an emergency or in transport to a hospital setting. They’re usually trained to work in pairs or teams and can respond to a wide range of emergencies, including natural disasters and car accidents.
To become an EMT, you must complete a postsecondary training program and complete a series of exams to earn your EMT certification. How much do EMTs make in Florida? This depends on your level of experience and where you are working.
EMTs working in Pensacola, Miami, Sarasota, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale tend to be paid more because these areas are more populated and receive more emergency calls. The average salary for an EMT in Florida ranges between $32,000 and $39,000 per year.
Duties and Responsibilities of an EMT
EMTs are responsible for a wide range of tasks, including:
- Assessing conditions at the scene of emergencies
- Providing basic life support
- Transporting patients
- Documenting incidents
EMTs are also responsible for behind-the-scenes tasks, such as making sure ambulances and other emergency vehicles are fully-stocked with supplies, clean, and ready to respond to calls.
EMT Training Programs in Florida
There are several places you can earn an EMT certification in Florida, including:
- College of Central Florida: This college offers an Emergency Medical Services program that is accredited and also recognized by the American Medical Association and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).
- Florida Gateway College: This program is approved by the Florida Department of Health and the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services with a curriculum that follows the latest in the US Department of Transportation EMT National Standard Curriculum.
- St. Johns River State College: This accredited program offers a range of training options to prepare you for your EMT career in just one semester. It simulates real-life scenarios and emergencies to prepare you for the NREMT exam and beyond.
Why does accreditation matter? Accreditation says the program you went through passed educational standards by experts and professionals in the field. These programs promote safe learning environments, prepare you for the standards expected of you as an EMT, and can help you get a job more easily once you graduate from the program.
What Happens After the Course?
After you complete your EMT course, you need to pass the NREMT cognitive exam. This exam is a multiple-choice test that tests your knowledge.
You must pass this exam and submit your course completion certificate and exam scores to the Florida Health Department to apply for your state license. Once you’ve earned your license, you must complete additional education courses every two years to renew your license.
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