Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Short-term Certificate

What does an emergency medical technician do?
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basics work in a variety of settings under the supervision of a medical director physician. This course includes both classroom instruction and clinical experience, preparing students to enter the emergency medical services in a 9-1-1 emergency response service or a private transportation service.
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Admission Requirements
Education Requirements

Current certification in American Heart Association CPR for the Health Care Provider (including adult, infant and child 1 and 2 person AED)
Graduated from high school or earned a GED

Department of Public Health Training Program Requirements

A. Iowa Code Section 641-131.2 (147A) Emergency medical care providers - requirements for enrolling in training programs. To be enrolled in an EMS training program course leading to certification by the Department of Public Health, an applicant shall:

1. Be at least 17 years of age at the time of enrollment.
2. Have a high school diploma or its equivalent if enrolling in an EMT-I, EMT-P, or PS course.
3. Be able to speak, write, and read English.
4. Hold a current certification in American Heart Association CPR for the Health Care Provider (including adult, infant, child, 1- and 2-man, AED)
5. Be currently certified, as a minimum, as an EMT- B, if enrolling in EMT-I, EMT-P, PS course. If currently certified in another state as EMT-B, the applicant must submit an endorsement application to the department within two-weeks of the course start date.

B. Iowa Code Section 641-131.4(147A) Emergency medical care providers - certification, renewal standards, procedures, continuing education, and fees.

I. 131.4 (1) Student application and candidate examination.
1. Applicants shall complete the EMS Student Registration at the beginning of the course. EMS Student Registration shall be completed via the bureau of the EMS Web site at www.idph.state.ia.us/ems.
2. EMS Student Registration shall be completed within 14 days after the course start date.

Background Check and Medical Forms

Completed Background Check forms (Iowa Health Care Facility (135) Record Check, Request for Child Abuse Information and Request for Dependent Adult Abuse Registry Information)
EMT-B Clinical Standards signed by BOTH applicant and appropriate healthcare provider within the last 12 months.
Medical History/Health Update signed by the applicant.
Medical Examination/Physical completed and signed by an appropriate healthcare provider within the last 12 months.
Completed Required Immunizations signed by an appropriate healthcare provider. 1) Complete and submit documentation of a two-step tuberculin skin test screening. Full TB process must have been completed within 1 year. 2) Official documentation showing student has received or is currently in the process of receiving the 3-dose Hepatitis B series vaccine series. 3) MMR (2 doses), Chicken Pox immunity and current Tetanus booster. The College may, at it’s discretion, also require proof of seasonal flu vaccination prior to participation in courses that include a clinical rotation.

Length of Program

The EMT-B program is held over the course of 15 weeks.

Clinical Training

The clinical rotations prepare the student for their role as a volunteer or employee of an ambulance service. Students are required to assess 15 patients to complete the clinical requirement.

Expected Income Level

In Des Moines, Iowa, the pay rate for an emergency medical technician starts at $10 per hour ($20,800 annually).

Eligibility Criteria | Financial Obligations | Program Offerings