EMT in new jersey

[umscheidk]

How old do you have to be to become a certified emt? Im currently 17 and would like to get certified before i go to college. how would i start? Do i have to join a company or can i just sign up for the class? Does anyone know where to get certified in southern new jersey, more specificly, close to atlantic county?

[Bones42]

18. You can take the classes, but until you are 18, you will not get certified. Try calling your local EMS agency. They should be able to get you in touch with training.

[BD6413]

18. You can take the classes, but until you are 18, you will not get certified. Try calling your local EMS agency. They should be able to get you in touch with training.


Bones,

I'm not 100% sure but isn't it 16 for NJ EMT ? -- Unless the Department of health changed their mind again {which wouldn't shock me} I believe 16 is the minimum age requirement. I had my first State Certified Card at 17 and I do remember reading 16 as the base age. --- But like I said I could be wrong.

[Bones42]

I "think" there is a provisional EMT for 16/17. Non provisional was at 18. Not really sure what the differences between the 2 are. But hey, it's NJ. The State of Screwed Up laws that are only sometimes followed.

[Bones42]

Apparently, you can be an EMT at 16/17 but have limited abilities.

This is from the NJDOH...

NJ Chapter 40A – Emergency Medical Technician Training

N.J.A.C. 8:40A-6.7 Student qualification

(a) No individual shall be enrolled in or receive credit for a basic training program unless that individual:
1. Has attained the age of 18 by the first day of the program;
i. Individuals who have reached their 16th birthday by the first day of the program may be enrolled in a basic training program subject to the limitations listed in (b) below;
2. Is physically capable of performing all of the essential tasks defined in the program curriculum, inclusive of the United States Department of Transportation’s defined roles and responsibilities of the EMT as listed in that program curriculum;
3. Is certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the level of the professional rescuer by either the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or National Safety Council; and
4. Has not been convicted of a crime, or any offense contained in Chapter 14 of the Criminal Justice Code (N.J.S.A. 2C:14-1, et seq.) Also, no person shall be enrolled in a basic EMT program who has been convicted of a non-criminal drug offense within the 24 months prior to the starting date of the program.
i. An individual may apply for a waiver of this requirement. All requests will be considered in compliance with the Reformed Convicted Offenders Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:168A.

(b) Minors may enroll in a basic training program subject to the following conditions:
1. The individual shall produce signed parental consent to participate in the program;
2. The individual shall agree to comply with all applicable labor laws including, but not limited to, N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.17 and all applicable regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Labor regarding the utilization of hazardous machinery and devices; and
3. The individual shall agree to comply with all applicable rules regarding attendance, performance and program examinations.
(c) Minors shall not be permitted to:
1. Operate power-driven machinery, inclusive of fire apparatus and ambulance or rescue vehicles;
2. Oil, wipe or clean any machinery in motion, inclusive of rescue tools;
3. Utilize any machine which grinds, buffs or polishes;
4. Operate any hoisting equipment, inclusive of chain and cable come-a-longs;
5. Utilize any torch device utilized to heat, melt or cut metals, including rescue torches;
6. Operate and/or maintain any high pressure hydraulic tool or air bag; and
7. Operate or utilize a defibrillator of any type.
(d) In addition, minors shall not be:
1. Exposed to injurious quantities of any toxic or noxious dust, gases, vapors and/or fumes; or
2. Exposed to, or allowed to participate in, direct firefighting activities.
(e) Minors shall receive practical skills instruction and shall be permitted to safely observe any of the skills listed in (c) above.
(f) The training agency shall ensure that the provisions (c) and (d) above are enforced.

*** Interesting that defibrillators are put in public places for John Q Public to use, but a trained EMT that is under age is forbidden from using one. Does that make sense to anyone?

[dahlio]

*** Interesting that defibrillators are put in public places for John Q Public to use, but a trained EMT that is under age is forbidden from using one. Does that make sense to anyone?

Yeah, that is very interesting, but come on, in a situation where there is no one better qualified to use it, I know I would step in even though I'm a minor. Anyway, you would be protected under good Samaritan laws, therefore keeping you from liability. So what would I do? I'd use the defib, and save the persons life. Saving a life is worth the lawsuit anyway.

[Slaytallica45]

*** Interesting that defibrillators are put in public places for John Q Public to use, but a trained EMT that is under age is forbidden from using one. Does that make sense to anyone?

thats kind of funny, I went through my EMT-B class in NJ when I was 16, throughout the entire class I was taught and trained just like anyone else who was 18+, wasn't ever told I couldn't use an AED (which is part of CPR, a requirement to take EMT-B). Took the same test as everyone else, and got the same card in the mail from the NJDOH stating I was a certified EMT-B in the state of NJ. the only restrictions I ever faced with my squad before turning 18 was time restrictions for calls (no running between the ours of 10pm-7am). To answer the question of the original poster, yes you can take the class on your own, but it will cost you money. Join a local squad and run with them and you will get sent for free.