Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice. It is a career where you will have a chance to positively impact lives of people in need on a daily basis, which more than makes up for the physically and mentally demanding aspects of this position. In Florida, much like in the rest of the country, EMTs are in high-demand both in urban centers like Miami or Tampa, as well as in the vast rural part of the Sunshine State.
With salaries ranging from around 30k a year for entry level EMTs to upwards of 50k for Advanced EMTs in busy, urban areas, there are many companies offering EMT training programs to interested candidates, and prospective students can have a hard time choosing the option that meets Florida’s requirements and aligns with their career ambitions and goal.
Good, comprehensive EMT training courses will prepare you for fast-paced, real-world scenarios, and equip you with skills in patient assessment, trauma response, CPR, and basic life support (BLS) so choosing the best possible course is extremely important.
Let’s take a look at some of the things to consider when choosing the best EMT training program in Florida.
Choose a state-approved and accredited program
The first, and most important step is choosing a program that’s recognized by Florida’s Department of Health. They have plenty of helpful information on their website. Additionally, choose an EMT training programs that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This accreditation guarantees the highest standard of health education, and students of CAAHEP accredited courses are fully equipped to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam.
Understand the Curriculum and Training Hours
EMT training programs in Florida can last anywhere between eight and sixteen weeks, and they consist of classroom instructions, hands-on skills training, and clinical practice. It’s important to check the curriculum and make sure that all the essential topics like patient assessment and BLS are covered, but it would also be beneficial to choose a course with some additional modules like advanced life support that might give you better employment opportunities and career prospects.
Depending on your schedule and other commitments, you might want to look for courses that offer more flexibility and less rigid schedules. Luckily, there are many programs that offer evening or weekend classes, and online EMT course Florida options are proving very popular for the busier students.
Research Exam Pass Rates and Job Placement Services
NREMT pass rate is a very good indicator of a program’s quality. If a high percentage of students pass the national exam, it shows that the program effectively prepared them. Many schools will provide statistics on their pass rate, so that’s an aspect that should be taken into account.
Although EMTs are highly sought after and it is an in-demand position, some EMT training programs in Florida offer help with job placement upon completing their course. This is beneficial in many ways as they know their student’s strengths and weaknesses best, and can use their connections and knowledge about the industry to match the student with an EMT position that matches their ambitions and strengths.
Review Program Costs and Financial Aid Options
The cost of EMT programs in Florida can range from $1,000 all the way to $5,000 so it is important to choose carefully and make sure to check everything that’s included in the course to avoid any unexpected additional costs. Some courses might be more expensive but they offer additional resources and modules that others might not, so it’s very important to check all the information on the course beforehand.
Financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans are also usually available to help the students manage the relatively high tuition fees, so that should also be considered when choosing the course.
Conclusion
Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician in Florida is a great way to gain entry into the healthcare industry by working in an impactful position that is of utmost importance for Florida’s healthcare system.
There are many EMT training courses in Florida and it’s important to choose a state-approved and accredited course that best fits the student’s schedule, as well as their career ambitions. By following these few simple tips, everyone should be able to find a perfect EMT training course!
