EMT Careers
Graduates of the Emergency Medical Technology Programs have many opportunities for employment. The traditional method of employment is offered by local emergency medical services. Many graduates also move into other areas such as flight programs, emergency departments, industrial EMTs, sports medicine, fire departments, law enforcement, dispatchers, school health programs, state and national parks, theme parks, and other specialized areas, such as the Alaskan Pipeline and oil drilling operations.
The Basic Emergency Medical Technician
The EMT has completed nine months of training in the basic management of the injured and ill patient. Basic Life Support skills include patient assessment, review of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, treatment of burns, splinting of fractures, dressing and bandaging, assisting with out-of-hospital childbirths, oxygen therapy, ambulance operations and related emergency care. EMTs are licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services.
The Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
The EMT-Paramedic is a professional EMS Provider. He/she completed the Basic EMT requirements plus the educational requirements for licensure as a Paramedic. The Paramedic Program is a fifteen month program that includes classroom, clinical, and field instruction. Paramedics are responsible for all Basic EMT skills plus Advanced Life Support Skills such as medication administration, endotracheal intubation, ECG monitoring and interpretation, defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion, comprehensive patient assessment, and advanced management of medical and trauma emergencies. EMT-Paramedics are licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services.
The Emergency Medical Dispatcher
The Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) course is designed to meet the course needs of the individual seeking certification as a Tennessee Emergency Medical Dispatcher and the requirements mandated by Tennessee law for the Public Safety Dispatcher. This course meets both sets of requirements. Admission prerequisite requirement is completion of Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider with a current card. EMDs are certified by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services.