How to Prepare for EMT Class

Understanding the EMT Role

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) play a crucial role in providing frontline medical care in emergency situations. As an EMT, you will be responsible for assessing patients, providing life-saving interventions, and transporting patients to medical facilities. This demanding yet rewarding career requires a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, which you will gain through your EMT class.

Choosing Your EMT Class

The very first step to becoming an EMT, and very often one of the most crucial, is choosing the right EMT class to attend. As an EMS tutor, the number one reason I see students struggling to pass their NREMT exam is due to inadequate preparation since they attended a poor EMT class.

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing your class. Since COVID, many schools have begun providing online and accelerated EMT courses. While this may seem convenient, beware of the potential cons of these options. Learning your EMT course material well enough to pass your class, national exam, and be a competent medical provider is no small undertaking. Unless you have a tremendous amount of time available to dedicate towards self-learning and research of your course material, I would reccomend sticking with an in-person, semester-length EMT course. This gives you the ability to actually absorb the material as you learn it and ask questions for clarification on the many complex topics you will face. 

Familiarize Yourself with Medical Terminology

Having a basic understanding of medical terminology can significantly reduce the stress of and enhance your learning process in an EMT class. Terms related to anatomy, physiology, and common medical conditions are frequently used in course materials and practical training. Going into your EMT class without knowing these terms is like going to another country and only being able to understand half of their language. It greatly diminishes your ability to understand already complex material and adds tremendous stress to the learning process.

If possible, I reccomend taking a medical terminology course prior to your EMT course. Many schools require medical terminology credits anyways if you plan on gaining your paramedic certification. Another great option for learning these terms is your school textbook. If at all possible, gain access to your textbook well before class and make flashcards of all the key terms and terminology. If neither of these is a viable option for you, then I reccomend studying EMT medical terminology flashcards made by other EMTs on Quizlet or downloading PocketPrep. Familiarizing yourself with this material, even slightly, will go a long ways.

Podcasts and Other Students/Providers

The field of emergency medicine is constantly evolving, with new protocols and guidelines being introduced regularly. Having a passion for staying updated on current developments and protocols will not only help you pass your EMT class but will also help you be the best medical provider possible for your patients. Find podcasts on EMT/EMS topics you enjoy listening to, and make them part of your regular content consumption. Joining a local volunteer fire department or other EMS-related volunteer programs in your community is another great way to make connections and familiarize yourself with the environment.

Mentally Prepare for Challenges

Many students go into EMT class without realizing the quantity and complexity of the material they will be required to learn as well as the amount of time they will need to dedicate to class, studying, and ride-alongs/clinicals. This is another reason why I do not reccomend online or accelerated classes in most cases. Having the correct outlook and expectations going into class can make all the difference in your success.

Understand that you may have little to no time outside of class for its duration, especially if it takes you more time or effort to learn new concepts than it does for other students. Be prepared to be overwhelmed, especially the first few weeks of class. This is completely normal. Many students do not feel confident with their material until near the end of or even after class. Just stay focused on learing the current week's material thoroughly one week at a time, and eventually all the pieces of the puzzle will fall together!

Utilize Available Resources

Finally, take advantage of the resources available to you during your EMT training. This includes reaching out to instructors for clarification on difficult topics, participating in study groups, and utilizing online forums for EMT students. Do NOT be afraid to ask questions in class! Most likely another student is wondering the same thing, and you will have to learn the content correctly if you wish to pass your NREMT exam. If you are struggling to pass your exams, fully understand the class material, you take more time/effort than others to learn topics, or you just want to remove some of the stress, then please reach out to me for one-on-one online tutoring! Your first session is completely free so you can see if I will be a good fit for your needs!

By following these essential tips, you'll be well-prepared to succeed in your EMT class and embark on a fulfilling career in emergency medical services. Enjoy the process, and good luck to you in your EMS journey!