Frederick Jace
Getting into medical school is tough, but that doesn’t stop people from trying. The ranks of first-year medical students continue to grow, with women outnumbering men among future doctors. Applicants who demonstrate to admissions committees that they have the right motivation and skills to be a good doctor are accepted. There are lots of reasons why people choose to study medicine. They find it intellectually stimulating, they can improve the health of others, and earn a respectful position. What about you? Are you thinking of applying to medical school? If the answer is yes, you should prepare well in advance. Obtaining training and experience as an emergency medical technician is a plus.
As EMT closely implies having advanced CPR skills, choose a course with a comprehensive training program that includes CPR certification. The American Health Care Academy’s rich curriculum ensures you get the skills and confidence to excel in your chosen field. While only some educational institutions can afford online training, the academy’s courses are conveniently available via the web. Whichever course you decide to cover, they will send your CPR certification online to prove your skill level.
What Is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)?
What is an EMT? You might ask. An emergency medical technician is a first respondent who offers immediate medical care to patients in an emergency – generally speaking, while the patient is transported to the ambulance. EMTs are employed by private ambulance services, hospitals, governments, municipal EMS agencies, and fire departments. While some health professionals are paid employees, others are volunteers. Aspiring emergency medical technicians must earn a certificate for their role.
Common responsibilities include but aren’t limited to:
- Responding to 911 calls
- Carrying out physical exams
- Performing CPR and defibrillation to resuscitate patients
- Controlling bleeding treating minor wounds
- Administering medications
- Maintaining patient confidentiality and respecting patients’ rights
The skills that make a difference are:
- Compassion
- Interpersonal skills
- Physical strength
- Listening skills
- Problem-solving skills
Most importantly, you have to remain calm in stressful situations. If you get wrapped up in the drama, you risk making a mistake. The clock is ticking and everyone is counting on you.
Experience As an EMT Can Help with Medical School in So Many Ways
As a doctor, you have great responsibilities, but also the chance to change the medical field through your work. If you want to increase your odds of getting admitted into medical school, you might want to consider getting trained and certified as an EMT. EMT training equips you with the necessary skills to treat critically injured and sick people at emergency sites. You and only you are responsible for the patient’s medical care. There’s no reason to worry because you’ll be trained to handle just about any scenario, not to mention that you always have a partner by your side. You work shifts together and, most importantly, have each other’s backs.
As an emergency medical technician, you deal with all sorts of medical issues, such as traumatic injury, respiratory distress, altered level of consciousness, poisoning, etc. In most cases, you have an idea of what you’ll encounter before you get there. At times, the situation can take you by surprise. EMT training helps you build a functional understanding of basic anatomy and physiology, immobilizing injured patients, airway management, and basic life support techniques. Put simply, you can gain experience without shadowing with all age groups, demographics, and genders. You’ll figure out if you really like what you do.
A great many educational institutions respond favorably to applicants with experience as emergency medical technicians. So, in case you were wondering if EMT training is worthwhile, you have the answer. Your work proves to admission boards that you have a passion for helping others and have already taken some steps towards building a solid career. It will provide you a distinct advantage. Equally important is to stress that medical schools encourage clinical experiences early. The focus is on patient care, professionalism, systems-based practice, and, last but certainly not least, communication/interpersonal skills.
The bottom line is that, if you hope to become a doctor, you need to be able to prove that you can handle the rigors of medical school. Medicine involves a lot of work. You’re surrounded by bright minds and the most competitive people you’ll ever meet. Therefore, if you don’t have pre-professional competencies, you’ll be rejected without hesitation. Admission committees want to see that you have what it takes to succeed. They assume you’re an autodidact and your ambition is to become a doctor. Getting trained and certified as an EMT shows what a hard worker you are.
How To Choose The Right EMT Training Course
Within the world of EMTs, there are three levels of certification, namely basic, intermediate, and paramedic. Training can be done over a summer break. Programs include simulated scenarios like accidents, suicide attempts, and much more to help students practice their skills and gain much-needed clinical experience. It’s recommended to make a list of EMT training institutes and select the one that best fits your needs. If you don’t find too much information on their websites, don’t hesitate to call. Online training is available, but pay attention to the fact that it’s combined with physical classes. All the supporting materials are made available by email.
You should carefully examine the training content. Educational programs must review the essential components of the national standard curriculum and provide exposure to knowledge and skills resulting from advances in emergency medical care. In other words, get an idea of what you’ll be learning by attending an EMT training course. It’s a lot of classroom work, but at least it doesn’t demand a lot of homework. You can take the course while you’re still in college. The duration of the training course is important. It could last a few weeks or a couple of months. Your choice depends on your personal goals.
After you’ve passed the EMT class, you can take the national exam and fulfill state and county requirements. In the end, you can start looking for a job. Start your training as an emergency medical technician and kickstart your career in healthcare. If you’re serious about studying medicine, volunteer at a clinic or something. Make your resume stand out for admission. It’s a great way to demonstrate your accomplishments and relevant experiences. Attention needs to be paid to the fact that each medical school has its own expectations. Regardless, you have to do a good job. Prepare for the grueling process that’s not for everyone.
