3 EMS Career PreparationTracks Available from Emergency Training Services
SANTA CRUZ, Ca. - Emergency Training Services, Inc. (ETS) has been providing emergency medical training to the Central Coast of California since 1980. At Emergency Training Services, Inc., we take pride in employing only instructors who on average have at least ten years of experience in their subject and/or skills field. Our instructors are highly qualified, experienced and professional. Instructors must also possess an instructor’s certification from the State of California.
ETS offers a variety of courses that will prepare you for 3 different careers in Emergency Medical Services:
First Responder
First responders are the first link of the EMS system to arrive upon the scene of an accident or illness. The first responder secures the scene, assesses the patient’s condition, calls for emergency assistance, provides emergency medical care, and turns patients over to EMT or paramedic transport teams when they arrive.
This course will train students in advanced first aid, and other skills necessary to manage the scene until EMTs or paramedics arrive. The course meets State Health Code requirements for firefighters, police, day camp employees, and lifeguards. Pay rates for first responders can range from minimum wage at a day camp to $30,000 a year for entry level firefighters.
First Responder is 9 weeks long, one night a week. Classes are held from 6pm-10pm, and also 1 Saturday or Sunday session from 9am-5pm.
This course meets prerequisite requirements for EMT.
Prerequisites: Students must be 16 years or older
High School students may receive credit for passing and completing this course. Contact your on-campus ROP counselor.
Emergency Medical Technician
The EMT course builds on the skills and concepts learned in First Responder. The EMT provides more thorough patient assessment and basic life support management skills.
EMTs are employed by private ambulance companies, hospital emergency departments, walk-in medical facilities, and fire departments. Starting pay rate is between $35,000 and $40,000 per year. To become employed at an ambulance company or fire department, an ambulance driver’s certificate or appropriate class driver’s license, as well as a high level of physical agility is required. Such employers usually require criminal background checks prior to hiring. .
The course consists of 120 hours of classroom and laboratory emergency medical care instruction. EMT is a semester (approximately 18 weeks) long, one night per week. Classes are held from 6pm to 10pm. There are 3, 8-hour sessions taught on weekends and 2 mandatory Skills Sessions.
Prerequisites: must be 18 years or older, certified within the last two years for First Responder or Advanced First Aid & BLS Healthcare Provider CPR.
High School students may receive credit for passing and completing this course. Contact your ROP counselor on campus.
Paramedic Program
A paramedic is trained at the most advanced level of the EMS system. Paramedic skills and knowledge encompass those of the first responder and EMT, and include more advanced techniques such as starting IVs and administering drugs.
Paramedics can be employed at private ambulance companies and fire departments. The average salary starts at $45,000 per year.
The ETS/ROP Paramedic Program is a year long course of study. 1,234 hours of training are divided into three categories: Didactic(classroom), skills practice, clinical internship and field internship. There is a screening process for applicants which includes academic testing and an interview. Other courses recommended for preparation include: anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and chemistry.
Prerequisites: Paramedic applicants must hold a current EMT certification, a current BLS Healthcare Provider or CPR For Professional Rescuer card, be at least 18 years of age, and possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). Minimum 6 months EMT experience preferred. Qualified applicants must submit an application, participate in academic testing and an interview.
About ETS
The mission of Emergency Training Services, Inc. is to respond to the educational needs of individuals seeking a career in the pre-hospital emergency medical care field. The school is structured to develop competencies, skills and attitudes in students necessary to function responsibly and professionally as members of an emergency medical care team. Programs in First Responder, CPR, Emergency Medical Technician, and Paramedic training are offered throughout the year. We have provided training to the Central Coast since 1980. Courses are offered to the community as well as the public and private sector. To learn more, visit www.etsclassroom.com.