Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) apprenticeship

Description of an apprenticeship as a Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Table of Contents

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) apprenticeship

DOT code: 079.374-010, AIMS code: 0730

Visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook for a detailed description of this trade. Type the trade name in the search box and hit enter.

Description

Administers first‑aid treatment to and transports sick or injured persons to medical facility, working as member of emergency medical team: Responds to instructions from emergency medical dispatcher and drives specially equipped emergency vehicle to specified location. Monitors communication equipment to maintain contact with dispatcher. Removes or assists in removal of victims from scene of accident or catastrophe. Determines nature and extent of illness or injury, or magnitude of catastrophe, to establish first aid procedures to be followed or need for additional assistance, basing decisions on statements of persons involved, examination of victim or victims, and knowledge of emergency medical practice. Administers prescribed first‑aid treatment at site of emergency, or in specially equipped vehicle, performing such activities as application of splints, administration of oxygen or intravenous injections, treatment of minor wounds or abrasions, or administration of artificial resuscitation. Communicates with professional medical personnel at emergency treatment facility to obtain instructions regarding further treatment and to arrange for reception of victims at treatment facility. Assists in removal of victims from vehicle and transfer of victims to treatment center. Assists treatment center admitting personnel to obtain and record information related to victims' vital statistics and circumstances of emergency. Maintains vehicles and medical and communication equipment and replenishes first‑aid equipment and supplies. May assist in controlling crowds, protecting valuables, or performing other duties at scene of catastrophe. May assist professional medical personnel in emergency treatment administered at medical facility.

Work process schedule

Task Months
A. Recruit training school 2 - 4
B. Truck and elevated platform company 6 - 12
C. Engine and pumper company 9 - 18
D. Emergency medical response vehicle* 6 - 12
E. Fire Prevention Bureau 1 - 6
F. Other Bureaus 1 - 3
(Every 2,000 hours = one year) total months: 25 - 55

*Medical emergency response Vehicle is any unit that is assigned a primary responsibility of providing Pre-hospital Emergency Care and is appropriately equipped to provide basic life support, basic-level pre-hospital emergency care, and extrication (i.e., light or heavy duty rescue squads, pumpers, ladder trucks, utility vehicles, ambulances, etc.)

Related technical instruction

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires 150 hours each year of related technical instruction which must be mastered by the apprentice in order to successfully complete the program. To download a complete description of this trade click on the work process folder shown above. For further information, please call the Division of Apprentice Standards at (617) 626-5409.

Each apprentice shall be afforded the opportunity to receive the work experience, the classroom instruction and drill ground training, the field and clinical internship, and the related academic and technical instruction necessary to met the standards established for Emergency Medical Technician.

The apprentice shall attend and successfully complete the recruit training course before assignment to actual duties.

The apprentice shall attend and successfully complete the schedules technical and academic courses as provided.

Apprentices shall diligently apply themselves to their training, related instruction, and work experiences so as to become effective and efficient in fire prevention, fire suppression, pre-hospital emergency care, and other emergency functions of the department.

Apprentices will be required to complete the Emergency Medical Technician basic course or its equivalent and qualify for State certification prior to assignment for on-the-job training on a medical emergency rescue vehicle.

Clinical internship

In-hospital training will consist of observation, demonstration, and participation to the extent permitted by the professional staff. Instruction is designated to:

(1) Demonstrate the importance and benefits of optimal
(2) Emergency care, efficient transport, and adequate reporting;
(3) Emphasize the penalties of inadequate care or improper procedures; Familiarize the student with the equipment used, staffing, operating policies, and procedures of the department;
(4) Have ambulance personnel observe procedures in and develop skills in resuscitation, handling the unconscious, management of the mentally disturbed and unruly, and techniques of delivery and care of both the infant and the mother;
(5) Keep ambulance care; and
(6) Have ambulance personnel engage in disaster drills.

Two consecutive hours of training shall be required at any one period in order to receive credit toward completion of a course in the assigned department.

Responsibility for conduct of this program should be assigned to the staff of the emergency department. Training areas should include the emergency department, operating and recovery rooms, the intensive care unit, the obstetrical department, and the psychiatric department.

Field internship

Field training internship for apprentices shall consist of the apprentice serving as an extra person, and in a student capacity, on a medical emergency response vehicle under the supervision of a physician or nurse qualified in emergency medicine or their department.

Additional Resources

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