Adv. EMT or EMT-I

[FF1118]

I need some advice on what I should do next...I just finished an
emt-b course and want to continue my education in this field. would it be better for me to take an advanced emt course or an emt-i course...I live in indiana.

[ffemt1361]

I would wait if I were you. Ive been an EMT-B going on 4 yrs now and I am currently in EMT-I. You need to get experience as an EMT-B before you can go onto anything else. Good luck to you take care and stay safe.

[wyobow]

In my state, you have to be a basic for at least one year before you can take the Intermediate class. I also think that experience is good, but the difference in skill level between basic and intermediate isn't all that dramatic. However, responsibility increases pretty dramatically. If you work (or will work) for an ALS crew, I would make sure you are partnered with someone who has a lot of experience and a higher skill level than you (whether you get the I or not) so that you can work on your basic skill package and develop confidence rather than being thrown in the back of a rig with little or no experience and be expected to recall everything you were taught in class.

That said, only you can decide where your maturity level as an EMT is. The additional education is a good thing unless you can, or will, be thrown into situations you aren't ready for because of it.

[mstclair190]

Definately wait before you try to upgrade your certification. You need to have strong BLS skills before you try to take on the ALS ones.

By the way, what's the difference between advanced EMT and EMT-I in Indiana?

[Toering]

I fully agree! Wait and see if this is really something you want to stick with. Getting experience is a MUST! I would work for at least two years before an upgrade. By doing that You get the whole picture, and that will help your skills in the long run!

[btroutm]

Originally posted by FF1118
I just finished an emt-b course and want to continue my education in this field. The best education is experience. Like everyone has said, you should definately work as a basic for a little while before going on to more advanced skills. Once you've gained some experience and are completely confident in your BLS skills, then move on to higher levels.

Once you're ready for more skills, then you must make a decision. Do you want to slowly move up the ladder, or take a faster approach? Both methods have their ups and downs. By "slowly" moving up I mean taking an advanced EMT course, then taking an EMT-I course, then going on to the paramedic level. On the upside, this allows you to really take your time and learn your skills. On the downside, this is a long, expensive process and you'll end up repeating a lot of education. Most states do not allow you to bridge from EMT-I to paramedic; you must still take the whole paramedic course.

The more direct approach is to spend a couple of years as a basic, getting all of your BLS skills down cold. Then, take the paramedic course. This allows you to save time and money, but it doesn't give you the experience the slower route would.

I would recommend holding off on this decision for a year. I think you'll find that it will be easier to make after you've been in the field for a while. Good luck.

BRT

[kghemtp]

As a brand spankin, shiny new EMT-B the day I graduated high school, I made plans to take EMT-Intermediate in the fall. I could barely tell ya what AED stood for! I was with a low volume volunteer service at that point where I would probably make 20 calls a year. Sure, by the end of my Intermediate class, Basic stuff was further packed into my head, and I had a new wealth of knowledge at the ALS level, but no field time to speak of. Short-staffed, the head of our department threw me in as one of a two-person crew right away. Book smart, but not street smart. Put that with a 19 year old and average maturity, you can imagine mistakes in judgment happened. This is not to say another kid out of high school who was born in a fire station and would have been an EMT at age 12 if the state allowed, would not make a great Intermediate or Paramedic right away after Basic. It makes a lot of sense to use the stock answer of waiting, gaining experience, and going higher when you are confident about skills and knowledge. You, your friends and family know the most about you and what you're capable of. I would think hard about whether or not this is the time for going higher. I must applaud, however, that your sights are set on the next level and not going right to paramedic!
Definitely get yourself partnered up with a seasoned provider either way. If you happen to decide this is the right time for the next level, then do it and work as hard as you can to learn, pick up the field techniques, develop the smooth system, and tap the resources of providers around you. A 20-year Basic can show a new Intermediate quite a bit in assessments. Do what's right for you.

Kevin
FF/EMT-P

[FF1118]

Originally posted by mstclair190
Definately wait before you try to upgrade your certification. You need to have strong BLS skills before you try to take on the ALS ones.

By the way, what's the difference between advanced EMT and EMT-I in Indiana?

Well, the ADVEMT Class is alot shorter...im not sure on the specific skills that seperate the two but the EMT-I is at a higher level than the ADVEMT.

[tom2003]

You need to have good BLS skills prior to learning anything else. We all know that medic who had not enough or no BLS experience, the one that will try and start a line because the patient is hypotensive, but dose not elevate the feet or place the patient on o2. That medic that will start a breathing treatmen on a SOB patient, but dose not place them in fowlers, etc etc etc.

[EMTBFox]

Stay with BLS until you are able to understand what the ALS crew is about to do. After a year or so you will know what basicly the AlS crew will do or want, and you'll know why. I'm currently going after my RN. I've been on so many calls its just been my life for the past 2 years. My goal is to become and MICN.

[greapr]

I am going to disagree with everyone. I think that it can be all right to go on to emti school right out of basic. I would only do this if you are going on calls regularly and if someone on your service can be a good mentor to you.

[ffemt1361]

It seems to me that you dont have that much experience as an EMT-B. Its good to have a mentor that can help you, but you need to develope the strong basic skills on your own. That mentor may not be around forever and wont be able to hold your hand all the time. EMT-I isnt all fun and games. Its alot of work and dedication to the program. If you dont understand the basics how are you going to understand the advanced skills. This post isnt meant to be offensive. You are entitled to your opinions but you really need to learn to crawl before you can walk in EMS. Take care and stay safe.