Becoming an EMT
What is an EMT?
An EMT is an Emergency Medical Technician that responds to the scene of an emergency to provide emergency medical assessment and care. EMTs are trained to various levels of maintaining the ABCs of a patient: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. An EMT can perform Basic Life Support (BLS) procedures including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillation, mechanical ventilation using a bag-valve mask, placement of airway adjuncts such as oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways, splinting (including spinal immobilization and traction splints), and suctioning. In addition, EMTs are trained to assist patients with administration of their own prescribed nitroglycerin, metered-dose inhalers such as albuterol, and epinephrine auto injectors such as the EpiPen. Advanced EMTs and Paramedics are further trained in life support procedures and are classified as Advanced Life Support (ALS).
Why should I become an EMT?
Being an EMT gives you the opportunity to volunteer and help your community. EMTs that volunteer on campus enjoy camaraderie and friendship while learning to work in a professional medical environment. Volunteering as an EMT is a great way to get hands-on, real life experience in the medical field and to develop professional patient management skills for a future career.
How can I become an EMT?
EMT classes are offered at various times throughout the year. These classes follow a similar format to a one-semester course and are sometimes offered at Cutler Health Center in the spring and/or fall. Atlantic Partners EMS is the regional EMS office that coordinate all EMS classes. UVAC does not provide this class, to sign-up for a class you must contact Eastern Maine Community College and sign-up for the class you want to take.
Contact Eastern Maine Community College for more information and to signup for a class.