EMT courses are offered on three different levels. The first is the EMT-basic level, with courses that introduce future EMTs to the most basic emergency response skills. These courses typically take about 180 clock hours to complete before you can move on to the intermediate course level. Basic courses will delineate between different types of care that EMTs provide such as respiratory care, assessment of patients and trauma care. Students also are introduced to techniques for moving patients, controlling hemorrhages, bandages and dressing of wounds and even child-birth delivery. Depending upon the school, courses may be offered as night or weekend courses. Some schools even offer accelerated programs during the holiday season or other times when students might be able to pursue studies during the day.
The next level of training for EMTs is the intermediate level where students learn more advanced techniques of providing care that build upon skills established at the basic level. Coursework can include studies in airway support, medications, proper use of a defibrillator and the administration of intravenous fluids. Students must generally have a high school diploma or GED in order to enroll in these courses. Typically, intermediate EMT courses can take anywhere from 30 to 300 hours of work to complete. Requirements tend to vary by state.
Paramedic courses are the final and most advanced set of courses taken by EMTs. At the paramedic level, students learn to use even more advanced medical skills in order to save someone's life when necessary. Courses can include studies in basic science as well, with subjects such as anatomy and physiology. Other areas of study can include advanced cardiac life support, advanced life support for children and nutrition. The time frame to complete advanced studies in the paramedic field can vary by program and because of state requirements. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that these programs can sometimes take from one to two years to complete.