Why consider being an EMT?
...and Eligibility
First off...What is an Emergency Medical Technician?
Emergency Medical Technicians provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life threatening emergencies. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight. Emergency Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. Emergency Medical Technicians are a critical link between the scene of an emergency and the health care system.
[From the: National EMS Scope of Practice Model via the NREMT.org website]
Save Lives
It's more than a career, it's a calling! Becoming an EMT offers you an exciting and rewarding opportunity as a healthcare provider. Provide emergency medical care and transportation to the ill and injured. Emergency Medical Technicians must stay calm in a crisis and be physically and mentally strong. As an EMT, you should enjoy being part of a team dedicated to providing care to people in need. If you seek a dynamic, challenging workplace where you will be of service to others, consider a career as an EMT or use it to make an advancement in a healthcare or public safety career.
Career Opportunities
This entry-level training course provides opportunities for those exploring careers in Firefighting and Paramedicine. This course can also assist in the process for those looking for career advancement in law enforcement, lifeguard service and search and rescue. For those looking into a career in Nursing, Physician Assistant and Medical Doctor, this can help build your resume and increase chances of getting into those programs.
Military
Are you about to be discharged from the military? This course can help you transition into the civilian workforce and into a career in law enforcement, the fire service or other public safety careers. Getting an EMT certification is commonly a requirement for many of these fields. This will be an important part of the process as some medical training in the military does not transfer into the civilian workforce.
FULLY ACCREDITED EMT TRAINING CENTER
Am I Eligible to Become an EMT?
ALL students are invited to take the EMT Course here at Miramar College and obtain a Certificate of Completion and college credit, if requirements are met for the course . A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION IS NOT A LICENSE TO PRACTICE AS AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN, ONLY SHOWS YOU TOOK THE CLASS. Please understand to advance on and obtain National, State and County certification to practice being an EMT, those entities have eligibility requirements that can restrict people from certifying and working. Also, employers also have requirements as well. Please check below for further and with specific agencies for their requirements.
- Age Criteria
Must be 18 years of age to be a Nationally Registered EMT.
Students under the age of 18 may take the EMT Course and receive a Certificate of Completion if all requirements are met. However, the NREMT will withhold the ability to take the national test (Thus preventing state and local certification as NREMT is initially required.) until the students 18th birthday. Due to this, it is suggested that students should be 17.5 years of age or older, so information does not degrade when they are allowed to take the test.
- Medical Conditions
If you have any medical conditions, you should check these state and federal websites, as some conditions may make you ineligible from applying for state and local certification.
CLICK THIS LINK FIRST TO CONTACT A DMV APPROVED PHYSICIAN THAT CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
Applying for Federal Medical Exemption HERE
If you have vision/hearing problems/conditions, seizures or diabetes. Please check the link provided.
- Convictions
If you have been convicted of a felony or possibly other crimes, you may still take the class, but understand that you may not be allowed to take the National Registry Test and possibly be ineligible to apply to state or local agencies.
Contact the State of California EMS Authority for more information, HERE
- Driving Record
Your driving record is up for review by employers. Pending information on you record, this may exclude you from employment because it may be difficult to insure you to drive an ambulance.
Criminal Convictions Policy_Nov_2018.pdfSan Diego County EMS Authority: Criminal Convictions Policy Excerpt:
9. What criminal convictions will prevent me from becoming an EMT?
1) Has committed any sexually related offense specified under Section 290 of the Penal Code.
2) Has been convicted of murder, attempted murder, or murder for hire.
3) Has been convicted of two (2) or more felonies.
4) Is on parole or probation for any felony.
5) Has been convicted and released from incarceration for said offense during the preceding fifteen (15) years for the crime of manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter.
6) Has been convicted and released from incarceration for said offense during the preceding ten (10) years for any offense punishable as a felony.
7) Has been convicted of two (2) or more misdemeanors within the preceding five (5) years for any offense relating to the use, sale, possession, or transportation of narcotics or addictive or dangerous drugs.
8) Has been convicted of two (2) or more misdemeanors within the preceding five (5) years for any offense relating to force, threat, violence, or intimidation.
9) Has been convicted within the preceding five (5) years of any theft related misdemeanor.
10. What if I fail to disclose a past incident or conviction on my EMT Application (signed affidavit)?
Failure to disclose your involvement in a current investigation or criminal charges; or any conviction for a misdemeanor or felony offense in California or in any other state or place, including entering a plea of nolo contendere or no contest, including any conviction which has been expunged (set aside) under Penal Code 1203.4 is considered FRAUD in the procurement of a certificate. This may result in disciplinary action and denial of your certificate. Any incident or conviction in your past must be disclosed each time you apply for certification. It is your responsibility to provide the verified court records/documents and detailed statement (explanation). In addition, you must disclose if you had a certification, accreditation, or professional healing arts license denied, suspended, revoked, or placed on probation; or if you are currently under formal investigation or disciplinary action. Again, it is your responsible to provide necessary documentation and a written explanation of facts that describes action and/or remediation.
11. What happens if I have subsequent arrest and /or conviction after a negative LiveScan report?
The EMS Agency and the EMS Authority receives a DOJ subsequent arrest notification within forty-eight (48) hours of any arrest in California. Depending upon the seriousness of the arrest, the EMS Agency may take disciplinary action against your EMT certificate. The action may include suspension and/or revocation. It is best to advise the EMS Agency and your EMS Employer (if EMT employed) if you are arrested before the Agency receives the Live Scan subsequent arrest notification.
California DMV: Ambulance Driver Certificate Law
Under Vehicle Code § 13372 , the department may refuse, revoke or suspend an ambulance driver certificate of any person who gives any cause, before or after issuance of the certificate, for discretionary refusal of certification. If there is an immediate risk to safety due to a physical or mental condition, an action under Vehicle Code § 13953 may be taken.
The department may refuse, revoke or suspend an ambulance driver certificate under the following conditions:
Felony Conviction:Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(1): The driver has been convicted during the preceding seven years of any offense punishable as a felony or has been convicted during that period of any theft.
Moral Turpitude:Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(2): The driver has committed any act involving moral turpitude, including fraud or intentional dishonesty for personal gain, within the preceding seven years.
Use of Alcohol:Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(3): The driver habitually and excessively uses intoxicating beverages.
Drugs:Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(4): The driver has been convicted within the preceding seven years of any offense relative to the use, sale, possession, or transportation of narcotics or addictive or dangerous drugs, or of any misdemeanor involving force, violence, threat, or intimidation.
On Probation:Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(5): The driver is on probation to the department for a cause involving the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle.
Sanction for Unsafe Driving:Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(6): Within the three years immediately preceding the application, the driver has had his or her driver's license suspended or revoked by the department for a cause involving the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle, or, within the same period, has been convicted of any of the following:
Failing to stop and render aid in an accident involving injury or death.
Driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, or under the combined influence of intoxicating liquor and any drug.
Reckless driving, or reckless driving involving bodily injury.
Fraudulent Application:Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(7): The driver has knowingly falsified or failed to disclose a material fact in his and her application. An applicant refused certification under this provision shall not be issued an ambulance driver certificate within 12 months of the refusal.
Accident(s):Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(8): The driver has been involved as a driver in any motor vehicle accident causing death or bodily injury or in three or more motor vehicle accidents during the preceding one year period.
Medical:Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(9): The certificate may be refused, suspended or revoked if the driver does not meet the minimum medical standards established by the department in Article 2.1, Sections § 28.18 and 28.19, of Title 13, California Code of Regulations.
Irrational Behavior: Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(10): The driver has demonstrated irrational behavior or incurred a physical disability to the extent that a reasonable and prudent person would have reasonable cause to believe that the ability to perform the duties normally expected of an ambulance driver may be impaired.
Code Violation:Vehicle Code § 13372 (b)(11): The driver has violated any provision of the Vehicle Code or any regulation adopted by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol relating to the operation of emergency ambulances during the preceding one-year period.
Employment Dismissal:Vehicle Code § 13372(b)(12): The driver has committed any act that warrants dismissal, as provided in § 13373 .