usefulness of an EMT liscence

[thegreenworld]

I'm graduating from college and would like to work in a hospital setting for a year. I'd really like to get an EMT license but am worried that it won't be helpful if i would like to work in a hospital?

[dmleblanc]

Generally, an EMT certification is not going to be useful to you in a hospital setting. EMT's are trained specifically in pre-hospital care, and I don't think there are many hospitals that will hire someone based on EMT qualifications. Paramedic, maybe, because you could start IV's and stuff, but that's a lot of training (over 1000 hours) for something you're not intending to do for a career.

Of course, if being an EMT is really something you want to do, go for it, but I don't think it would give you any advantage in seeking a hospital position.

[FireDoc99]

I am the Education Director (and asst. Human Resources Mgr)at a hospital here in Florida. We do not specifically hire EMT's. We do hire ER techs, monitor techs, and PT care techs (Non-CNA cert). When we evaluate experience on applications EMT cert can be a plus because we know they at least have the patient care basics.

For us your experience and time as an EMT would also count towards actual health care experience time in establishing your salary.

There are some hospitals out there who hire EMT's, if they do their own transports, but those are few and far between.

You just have to evaluate each facility and position and decide which will work best for you.

Unless you specifically want an in-hospital setting, for the money, I would work in a prehospital setting. The money (at least in our area) tends to be better than an in-hospital tech position and I feel you will get a lot broader experience base working the streets.

Good luck!

[emtJon]

I used my certification and experience as an ALS provider to help me get a part-time job as a phlebotomist in the local hospital. As was said before, it all depends on what you're looking to do and if it would be of use to the hospital you are looking to work in.

Good luck!

[jeriaemt]

The people on my squad apply for all kinds of jobs. All of them put their EMT education on the application/resume. When they call me asking about the EMT thing they get some key things answered. They find out if their applicant works well under pressure. If they can maintain themselves in different situations. If they have issues with authority.

When I recruit volunteers I mention that the training always looks good on a resume. One guy on my squad works at a warehouse/machine shop and is the 'safety guy' because of his training.

I say got for the EMT training. You will see how many of the nursing staff treat you like crap (don't worry, not all of them will) and it will prepare you for any entry level hospital job or other job.

[Holyfield911]

I'm graduating from college and would like to work in a hospital setting for a year. I'd really like to get an EMT license but am worried that it won't be helpful if i would like to work in a hospital?

You'll find that practicing as an emt will help your critical thinking skills. I worked on a rescue in college and we had a lot of nursing students who became EMT's; I think those who participated in EMS learned to think ''outside the box'' and became more well rounded and sharper in their assessment skills.

If you want more info on EMS in the collegiate setting check out www.ncemsf.org

[hydrotech]

a lot of places EMT-B is a prerequsite for an ER tech. if you wanna be a tech i'd say go for it.

[CenTexMedic]

Spelling well is even more useful in the hospital setting...

[hydrotech]

sorry "prerequisite" i was tired.