imouto

I love fried eggs, especially with rice. Might be a culture thing, though.

Thanks, everyone, for the informative posts. It looks like neither the regular nor the intensive courses coming up are going to be held due to an insufficient amount of applicants, so I'll be waiting it out anyway.

Thanks for the information. And I was under the impression that I could get the State Bureau of Identification to directly mail them a sealed copy of my background check, but maybe that isn't something that can do. The program I was really hoping to take part in does include the background check in the fee, but the other program specifically mentioned that it didn't. Again, thanks so much for the information. I do have years of customer service experience, so I guess that's good!

Well, I already did have my background check to work in a SNF, and I did tell them about my jaywalking ticket. Like someone else in the thread guessed, they did laugh... Supposedly background checks for SNFs are one of the most thorough aside from those going into the FBI or something? At least that's what I was told. Does anyone know if you can use the same background check for your application to the EMT B class? I just got it done late December, and it arrived about a week ago. It does cost $70ish, if I recall. My work paid for mine, but I know EMT B classes do not. Are they valid for a certain amount of time, or must you get one for each company that asks, no matter the time period between? I assume the drug screening doesn't get carried over, either.

At my community college, we apparenty only need 5 to hold the class with a maximum of either 12 or 20. Sadly, the class that is starting in 2 weeks has no one signed up for it, last I heard, so I'm going to have to wait. The fire school requires anywhere from 10-12 minimum, I believe. The accelerated class that I mentioned in another thread requires 20 to hold the class.

What? You can definitely have a license if you are epileptic. I would know, because I am epileptic and have a license. In my state, you must be seizure free for 1 year and usually medicated (unless doctors have determined you "grew out of it" and only had them in childhood). They had me get my doctor to sign off that I'm seizure free and safe to drive. I got my license when I was 16 -- 1.5 years after I had my last seizure. Do you know how many people would be unable to drive if what you stated was true?

Yeah. I went to college abroad. I have no idea if background checks do include another country, but thanks for the info! 50 lbs dead weight is no problem unless they want 20 consecutive reps out of me. I might struggle then...

I only work 14 hours a week, which is nothing. I'm actually thinking of working at McDonald's or something until I can start my EMT class, just because I want to do something with my time and at least make a little bit of money. I'm not married and in fact in a LDR so no need to worry about neglecting my boyfriend, no kids, and no pressing every day chores since I still live with my parents. Yeah, I feel like I can handle it, but now I'm questioning how my future possible employers will perceive an accelerated certification. Thanks for the input, though. I'm going to call the college back on Monday and see if enough people have signed up for the course that begins in February.

Yeah, I figured it would be pretty dense and a lot to take on in just a month. I want to feel like I can handle that load, since I was able to work 6 days a week while taking 5 AP classes in high school (including AP chem and calc) but I burned out reeeeeally quickly and did significantly less... impressive when I was in college. Obviously not trying to brag, since it ended up hurting my academic career in the long run.

No, it's certainly not. I know it's always quality over quantity, but if there's a definitely significantly low of hours, that probably doesn't correlate to a sufficient or thorough education. Since I'm looking around for classes right now, I figured I'd ask some actual EMTs and paramedics. The only ones I know work for companies like Lifestar who simply transport LTC patients literally across the street to the hopsital. If I said the EMT class I wanted to sign up for only amounted to 60 hours, I'm pretty sure everyone would discourage me and assume it's not very credible/educational. In the end, I'm just trying to be cautious. I also don't have access to which textbooks each class is using OR the syllabus/exact curriculum right now. I've been wondering since late Friday, but of course I won't be able to call until Monday.

Hm, that's quite long -- an additional 3+ months -- but I guess the 7 hour Saturday sessions make up for that (since there are 11 of them). Since I already work at a SNF, I have to get a CPR for healthcare provider certification as well as an the abuse information, though I think it's only for the elderly. In fact, I should already have it, but our educator has been really busy, especially because a decent amount of our building had the flu.

Nah, the community college class runs from the beginning of February to mid or late June. That's almost 5 full months. I'm pretty sure that's a normal time frame?

I read the course description for course at my community college. It says 120 hours of classroom time, 60 hours of practical, and (11 8-4 Saturday classes, again assuming a 1 hour lunch break) 77 hours weekend class. That's 257 hours. Does that sound a lot more credible?

Thank you! Haha, thanks. I'm a bit addicted to posting on forums in general. And a bit loquacious as well.

So do you think it's better to have a drawn out class? Classes are from 8-5, and I'll assume there's a lunch break of an hour or combined breaks of about an hour just to be safe. That makes 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, so 40 hours a week for 3 weeks = 120 hours plus the weekend day of about 3 hours. They state on the website that it's a 150 hours course. For the regular class I wanted to take at the community college, the classes last 3 hours twice a week. They state 120 hours of classroom instruction plus 60 hours of practical sessions and some additional weekend time. It's well over 180 hours. I'm willing to spend the extra $1000 on it if it's really much better than the accelerated course. The place that offers the accelerated course also has a regular course which costs $700. Extra fees now included still only bring it up to about $1000, whereas the other place is $2200+. I have been comparing it to other states, and the amount of hours seems the same.

That's good to know. I assume companies hiring for EMS services are much more professional, but I've had people turn me away from even applying places, because I'm too young, probably because of my statue (and they didn't even ask my age). I doubt 21 is too young to work in retail! Jaywalking is usually an infraction, but it's sometimes considered a misdemeanour depending on where you live. I believe it was a misdemeanour where I received it, but I can't seem to find information on it specifically in my state -- I'm guessing that means it's an infraction.

Haha, I used to lived in Canada for 4 years after having grown up where 1 inch of snow is a state of emergency. Girls would go out wearing t-shirts and sitting at the terrace/patio of restuarants at 40F! What got me even more was the fact that snow up to your knees didn't stop girls from wearing high heel boots. They would wear 4" heels while going up and down those wet metro stairs and walking through the snow/ice. I've seen tons of girls wearing strapless clubbing dresses to avoid coat check in below freezing temperatures.

Oh wow, I typo'd that, too. It shouldn't be life 125 lbs but lift 125 lbs obviously. The job description asks to lift 125 lbs alone and 250 lbs with one person assisting you.

Does anyone have any experience with accelerated EMT-b certification programs? How did you find it? The program I want to sign up for lasts a little less than a month. Classes are 8AM-5PM Mondays through Fridays with one Saturday class that lasts 3 hours. I wanted to sign up for a program that starts next week and lasts five months, but it seems like there aren't enough students to hold the class. I'm just wondering how people's experiences were taking an intensive course.

I'm most certain that you can as long as you are on medication and haven't had any problems within the last 6 months or a year -- I'm not sure on the seizure-free time period. You can just get your doctor (probably your neurologist) to sign off saying that you are fine, just like you have to do to get your driver's license. If you are not seizure free, then you probably cannot become an EMT. The link you posted seems to imply that the student was asked to drop the class because her seizure was disruptive and not because EMTs cannot be epileptic. I've been seizure free for 5 or so years, and it hasn't been a problem for me getting my driver's license renewed or applying for jobs at health care facilities. Just be prepared to have a doctor or neurologist sign off that you're okay if anything.

Hello. Just for a bit of background, I just graduated from university with a BA in linguistics. I also took several psych classes beyond general psych. I had hoped to go straight for my masters in SLP, but I did poorly outside of my major and psych classes, so I'm not ready to take the GREs and end up wasting money on applying. Anyway, in the meantime, I'm taking some classes at the local community college to aquire more prerequisites and hopefully prove that I am capable of having a much higher GPA. I'm also working at a SNF as a receptionist and secretary in the admin office helping with billing and such for barely over minimum wage. I definitely don't get enough hours and want more clinical experience, and I've really been drawn to the idea of being an EMT for a few years. Though I'd like to work as an ER tech specifically, any EMT job sounds exciting. If I like it enough, maybe I'll just become a paramedic! The next available course is an intensive one month program that I'll hopefully complete this May. So I look forward to reading a lot more on here and getting to know you guys!

So, about a month ago, I started getting really into the idea of getting an EMT-b certification, because becoming an ER tech or clinical support technician sounds ideal. This is only a job I plan on having for 3-5 years, as I’m working on prerequisites for my masters and will be applying within 1-3 years (I already finished my BA), and want a job more relevant than customer service and secretary work. I have read a lot about people who are mentioning becoming EMT-bs as well, and a lot of people are saying is difficult to get a job unless you’re a med student/future med student which I am not, since I want to work as an OT or SLP. And no, no aide positions available. I’m seeing people hiring for 6 positions in my area for EMT-bs stating previous experience is preferred but not necessary. Is this enough evidence, so to speak, that in six months when I get certified, I’ll be able to find a job? I’ve been trying to research other options online, and other forums are suggesting becoming a pharmacy tech or phlembotomy tech. I see literally one job for each in the same range as EMTs, so I’m not sure what these people are talking about. Becoming a CNA is another option, with the ability to become a clinical support tech or unit secretary, but I’m afraid of getting stuck with long-term patient care aka changing diapers. There are 30+ job openings for CNAs around here, but becoming an EMT sounds much more interesting to me. Should I take the chance becoming an EMT or just go and be a CNA? It’s my plan for only a couple of years and not a career for me. Also, it seems actual ambulance companies want me to be able to life 125lbs. I weigh 100lb and can lift my body weight and probably more with a few more months at the gym – but I’m sure I’m going to stay as small as I am now. Do you think they’ll not hire me just because I probably look like I can’t lift much? The pay isn’t a factor as long as it’s more than you’d make at McDonald’s. I still live with my parents, free of charge, and my community college tuition is not that high. One more question: I know having a criminal background is no good, but I received a jay-walking ticket (and in another country). Applications are asking for me to include misdemeanors, so I figured I'd ask you guys. Thanks!