EMT-B(asic) via Distance/Online

Discussion in 'Nursing and medical-related degrees' started by soupbone, Apr 22, 2012.

Loading...
  1. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    Long story short, my sister is interested in a program like this (if they even legitimately exist). I know that you MUST (slight joke about that stupid fake school) check with your state EMT registry to validate reciprocity regulations, and must also make sure the cert will allow you to sit for the NREMT cert. Here's what I've found so far:

    EMT B Course - NREMT Approved EMT B Classes Online

    Online EMT Basic Course from PERCOM. Information on Online EMT B Classes

    EMT Training, Online Certification, How To Become An EMT, School

    Most of these schools have you complete the coursework and then you travel to their site for the hands on training. Once that is done, you register for the NREMT, then register with your state EMT board. All of this sounds somewhat painless right? I just have concerns about how prepared you actually become with distance learning and an accelerated hands on program. All three of these schools look great, but I have no first hand knowledge to help her make a judgement call.

    DL (with the hands on accelerated) is also her only real option without getting into specifics. I would imagine she would have to check with her local hospitals/EMT services to see if they would allow her to complete clinicals/ride alongs? This is a topic that I am completely unfamiliar with and I'm posting here in hopes some of you may be able to offer some advice. As always, thanks!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 22, 2012
  2. Julie1014

    Julie1014 New Member

    Soupbone, I am trying to do some research for you regarding EMT distance learning. The websites you provided look good, but I am not familiar with EMT distance learning. I didn't even know they offered it. I was an EMT from 1988-1999. I called my local ambulance company, and attended a 4 month RIGOROUS course with constant hands-on training. I can't imagine doing this through online learning. However, I see that training is provided at the sites you mentioned.

    Just be very careful and make sure that each of these programs are definitely recognized by the NREMT, and the state she lives in recognizes the school. And, yes, she should place a phone call to the nearest hospital/ambulance to see if she if she can shadow them.

    I know I'm not being much of a help, I just have never heard of becoming an EMT via distance ed. It is such a "hands-on" training.....

    Good luck to her, and keep us posted!

    EMTs and Paramedics : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (EMT education info)

    NREMT - Become Involved as an EMS Professional
     
  3. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    MUST you bring up that school again?
     
  4. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    This is what concerns me. Most medical type career paths require a hefty clinical component from EMT all the way to MDs. The schools look legit, but I want to make sure before she spends that kind of money. I wish she could attend a local EMT program through a fire department/ambulance company, but it really isn't possible. If any of these programs would do well in preparing her to sit for the NREMT test, I would tell her to go for it and not to look back. She is a very smart, self motivated type person, but traditional school isn't an option right now.
     
  5. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    I figured it would draw out at least one response! :jester:
     
  6. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    Im a Paramedic/EMT. I am also a strong advocate for distance education. I really don't think these: distance learning and EMT go together...there is just too much learned hands on over time.

    Can they deliver the curricula this way...yep.
    Does it matter.....only to your patients.

    If she does it anyway...at least get in with a strong volunteer ambulance company or Volly Fire Dept and get some hands on experience.
     
  7. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    No doubt this is what I would suggest, but I'm wanting to know if the schoolwork is possible and legit through DL. There's no way she could simply take the coursework, then continue without shadowing and other hands-on type experience following completion of the coursework. Those schools appear to have been around a while so they must be doing something right, right? Thanks so far for the responses everyone!
     
  8. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

    Speaking as an EMT-Basic/Driver, the course work should not be a problem via the D/L route. I took the program in a B&M setting but have had a lot of exposure to D/L learning and can see the possibilities of EMT studies via D/L. The clinicals get tricky, as has been mentioned, there must exist a hospital and/or ambulance service which is willing to allow you to intern so you may learn the clinical part. If there is an intensive clinical component after the didactic part, I think it can be accomplished. The Para-medic part I am not so sure about. My best wishes.
     
  9. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Just to toss in one consideration, I'd check that she earns college credit for her Basic and that it's through an RA source. Reason being, when she wants to earn more than minimum wage and tries to enroll in a Paramedic program, they will require the credit from her Basic, and if she doesn't have any she might have to repeat.
     
  10. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    Thanks Psydoc, that offers me some encouragement. When she initially asked me, it's something I simply have not heard or read about. At one point, I had considered the EMT->Paramedic->RN route, but never considered a DL route to it. Before she makes a big jump, I'll make sure she calls these agencies up and speaks to their reps.

    Thanks Jennifer! I think one or two of the schools are partnered with a local community college, so as long as it's RA, she should be fine. Thanks for bringing that up. She really wants to do this, but again DL is really her only option for the courses. She needs a full time income, so B&M just isn't going to cut it. For her clinicals/ride alongs/shadowing, she will have to find the time on the weekends, evenings, etc.

    Oh and one more thing if you guys can give an opinion. One of the sites offers a DL school comparison. Worth taking a look at if you guys want to give some opinions.

    http://www.emtfiretraining.com/emt-course-comparison.php
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 23, 2012
  11. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    There is a local school that offers a DL portion of the work for an LPN program so I know it is possible. I think it is really geared toward local residences that want a flexible option. With that said, nothing is impossible or without options -

    Distance Education: pTEC offers the Practical Nursing program in an online format. The online program is exactly like the traditional on-site program with two exceptions: (1) The 675-hour academic theory part of the program is delivered via computer as opposed to having face-to-face classroom instruction and, (2) The remaining 675 clinical hours are scheduled as much as possible on week-ends and evenings at various locations throughout the county. The clinical and lab hours are spread throughout the 15 month program with the majority occurring in the second half of the program. The pTEC Practical Nursing program is unable to accommodate students who want to complete hours at clinical sites other than those approved for use locally.

     
  12. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    I sent one of the schools an email asking about this and received a very quick response. The rep said that they are not affiliated with any CCs, but that most Paramedic programs allow entry if a basic EMT license (through the NREMT) is possessed by the applicant. He said that you should check with the school that you are interested in attending, but that most paramedic programs accept the license as part of the entry requirements.

    I think the issues of ride-alongs would be easily resolved if you speak to the hospital/EMT company about riding. Wouldn't it be like becoming a reserve deputy with a sheriff's office after attending the basic police academy? It sounds pretty similar.
     
  13. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    There is no doubt that it's possible to teach the didactic portions online. The basic level really is just that...basic. I wonder what they do if someone shows up for the practicals and cant quite get the concept of a standing backboard take-down, when to apply MAST trousers, or how the scoop stretcher works. Having taught EMT Labs I can tell you that some students could probably learn the whole thing from a book, others require many extra hours of hands on training.

    How receptive are the local employers to hiring an online trained EMT? Around here...to some degree...most agencies sort of pick from specific schools. Not to say one cannot be hired when trained this way...but the local climate dictates it to some extent. Do you live in an area underserved by EMT's? If so it might be easy to find a job. In my area I think an online trained EMT would be a tough sell.

    I'm really not trying to be discouraging...but this one requires some real homework and personal determination.
     
  14. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    If you have the EMT-B it suffices for that portion of the requirement to enter medic school...they may also require at least 1year of experience and advanced A&P.

    The ride time they require must include patient care, there are liability factors at play. This can be much, much more difficult than it seems.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 23, 2012
  15. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    I know a few people in the field that would be willing to help her get her foot in the door. This doesn't mean it's 100% though. She does live in an under-served area as well and another city located close that is also needing EMTs. Personal determination is not a problem, which is why I wish she could go to a B&M program locally, but when you need a full time income, you need a full time income. If these programs are legit and she can get started with a job afterward, I think the transition to Paramedic would be a lot easier. It's getting over that hump of starting that is going to be tough. Thanks again for your thoughts.
     
  16. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    According to this program, EMT School Comparison, Online EMT Training Course Summary , they provide the ride along insurance. What this means specifically i don't really know. It would be something she would have to ask about. In the state she lives in, she would need 9 months of full time experience to qualify for paramedic school. Thanks again. I am learning more and more as we continue to discuss this.
     
  17. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    I'm a former EMT-B. I don't know where your sister lives, but in PA it's very easy to join a local ambulance company as a volunteer (even without an EMT license). If you let them know that you're in school (perhaps providing proof of enrollment), they will often allow you to hang around the station and ride along with the crew (usually in an observation-only role, but this can be negotiated to allow some patient interaction with supervision to gain the appropriate # of clinical hours). The same goes for her ER rotation (although they will certainly be more strict around who they will let in the patient areas).

    I would say that as long as the schools are legit (and your sister can call the NREMT to verify this) AND her state recognizes the school (very important), a DL EMT-B program should be very doable (provided that the on-hand clinicals are up to par).

    Finally, keep in mind that the tuition for one of these programs could be 10-20x more expensive than training at a local county program. For example, my EMT-B program (through the county) cost me only $150! Granted, this was back in 1999, but I cannot imagine that it's gone up that much over the years. Even if it doubled, that's still $300 vs. $3000! Also, most EMT programs offer evening and weekend classes, so she may want to look into that first, before committing to a DL program.
     
  18. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    Thanks Japhy! The cost is something that i knew would be more considering the convenience factor, and I will help her with that if she chooses one of the programs. The one program in her area does not offer weekend or evening courses. It would definitely make this easier. I will be calling the NREMT today to ask them directly about the program in Ohio because I like the all-in-one pricing with what appears to be no catches. The state she lives in will accept other states in transfer as long as they have the NREMT license so she's ok with that as well. The main hurdle appears to be the schools themselves since I'm just not familiar with them or the DL component. $3,000 is expensive, but she's family and I want to help. I know I've had opportunities ( a lot presented by advice on this board) and I really want to give back.

    Thanks everyone for the advice so far!
     
  19. toddsbiyj

    toddsbiyj New Member

    Ok, first check with NREMT and find out if they accept it (same for state EMS office)- that simple. If the NREMT does not recognize the program then you will not be allowed to sit the exam. If the local ride-along and hospital clinical training time is accepted by the school = Good. Beyond that, it seems like a decent enough sort of set-up(although costly), I would do it if I had to do it all over again. With 20yrs as a Medic I can tell you, some people have it and some people don't but almost anyone can pass the EMT-B exam. Deficiencies will show in the field and are natural for anyone starting in a new field of work(especially this one). If this fits her schedule, budget, and most importantly is accepted as valid training by the Sate and NREMT = do it.

    One big thing to consider, get as much field exposure as possible and ride as many hours as possible with the local crews as a student/3rd person. This way she can get her screw-ups out of the way while she still has someone to bail her out when things go sideways.

    For Medic School, most programs don't care where you went to school for EMT-B just as long as you have the valid certification(NREMT, State) and the required experience.

    For employers, don't tell them it was an "online" program unless they get specific, just say you attended "whatever school" at such and such time and have been working/riding with he local crews.
     
  20. Jeremy

    Jeremy Member

    Also most EMT-B programs are heavy on didactic and lab (120-160 hours) and light on clinical (20-50 hours). When I did this course in 1994 it was only 10 clinical hours. I spoke with a student in a EMT program last month they only need 20 hours 10 on an ambulance and 10 in the ER. So it migh tbe possible to travel in for a 3 day skills lab and 2 days clinical to copmlete the program.
     

Share This Page