EMT-I courses in Illinois?

[btroutm]

Are there EMT-I courses in the Chicagoland area in Illinois? I know that the state doesn't have their own EMT-I test like it does for EMT-B and EMT-P, but if possible I would like to take the course and the national test. I haven't been able to find any. Thanks.

-Bruce

[jboczek]

Don't know about Chicago area, but down South all you'll find is the basic and paramedic courses. I have a daughter enrolled in the program now.
Some of the other regulars on this forum know a whole lot about the EMS system. They'll answer you better than me. And they're from "up north"

[TPCHFD]

Since the state is changing its cirriculm, I have not heard of anyone hosting an EMT-I course solely. A few years ago, one EMS system would allow you to take part of the "P" course and then you could take the EMT-I state test. I don't know if this still holds true or not. But here are a few things to consider before you become an EMT-I. First, with the states new requirements, you will almost be trained to the paramedica level. Whether your EMS system will allow you to perform those procedures, I can't answer. With the amount of time that you are going to invest in a class, why not go for the full monty. I (and I know of a few others) made the mistake of becoming an Intermediate and then two years later going back through the whole thing to become a medic. The rub though is that a lot of systems, mostly in the Chicago area don't even recognize Intermediates. I can't speak for your particular system or department though. If you are set on being an Intermediate, I would suggest calling the different resouce hospitals in your area and see what they can or are willing to do for you.

[pcfdcap1]

The last word I have heard is the new curriculm EMT-I class lesson plan has not received final approval. For the current Is, a bridge class lesson plan has and will start this fall in region 1 at least. For the last few years, the I class was part of the P class. Is just stopped early. I know this won't help you much, but I finally got my computer back so I need to rattle on. One other suggestion would be for you to go to the IDPH website. From there you should be able to find your region director and contact him/her for any class schedule in your area.

[btroutm]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go with what TPCHFD suggested and just try to take the paramedic course. I was interested in the EMT-I course because I am a fulltime student and fitting the Paramedic course in my schedule is pretty brutal, and I wasn't sure if becoming an intermediate would be easier, but if it isn't than there's really no point in doing it. If anybody knows of any paramedic classes that you can take in parts or at night it would be very helpful. Thanks everybody!

By the way...I work in the St. Francis Hospital system and sometimes in Loyola University Medical Center's system when I'm in the suburbs.

-Bruce

[jaybird210]

Bruce, I too made the mistake of taking the I first and then having to go through the whole thing again. What a bonehead I was. I firmly believe that the EMT-I will vanish in the next 7-10 years. Basics will do everything that Intermediates can do, and paramedics will do what they are doing now plus crap that's already in the ciriculum, like foley catheters :o.

I'm out west quite a ways, but I can tell that that Southern Fox Valley EMS (Delnor Hosp. in Geneva) has a night class (they also ran an accelerated day class last year); Greater Elgin (Sherman Hosp) has night classes; and if you really want to drive and see the countryside, Kishwaukee (DeKalb) teaches it at night.

You might try Loyola's EMS department; they may offer a night medic class. I'm not at all familiar with the EMS system(s) in the city, so I dunno if any have night classes.

Seriously, fit it in. It's a year of hell, but when it's over, it's over.

[pcfdcap1]

I too did the I class 10 years ago. I was Pearl City's first I. Our class was a stand alone class. I think it was the last stand alone in OSF system. Our trustees, fire dept and the 4 of us that are current Is have decided we will not take the upgrade class, let alone a P class. More of my tirade was expressed in another thread. The really disgusting thing about the whole change is the misinformation and the conflicting directives we have been receiving for the last 4 months.

[codeblue81]

Well I just finished up the "new" I-99 class today. My class was the first in the state. There is another one starting this summer in Mattoon at Lakeland College. As for the final approval....last I heard is that the I-99 test is in the final stages. I was told that I will be required to take either the old state test or the National Registry. But, since I've passed PALS and ACLS then I won't be required to take the bridge class.

Also I was told that the SAMIC system protocols for the I-99 are at IDPH awaiting final approval. Not sure what's in them but I'm anxious to find out.

code_blue81:D

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Our system no longer recognizes EMT-I's..