EMT training, salaries, career trajectory

- Being an emergency medical technician, or EMT, … is exciting. … Most of the time you'll be the first responder … in a healthcare crisis, … so you need to know your stuff. … And once you do, … you'll be perfectly positioned … for a long and varied career. … EMT programs are designed to offer training … in prehospital emergency care. … Formal EMT courses include about 150 hours … of specialized instruction, … and some instruction may take place … in a hospital or ambulance setting. … And coursework covers a wide variety of topics … from basic life support … to trauma … to advanced airway management. … Continuing education is required. … And on average, you'll need to complete 24 hours … every two years to keep up your certification. … So the median annual wage for EMTs … and paramedics is more than $35,000. … And as with many other jobs in the healthcare field, … the need for EMTs is projected … to grow faster than the average … for all occupations. … Emergencies like car crashes, natural disasters, …