When comparing EMT programs in Florida, consider total training hours, classroom and lab work, hospital and field externships, admission requirements, and graduation standards. Emergency Training Academy’s EMT program includes 300 clock hours and combines lecture, hands-on laboratory training, hospital clinical externships, and field externships.
Choosing an EMT school is a decision that deserves some thought. You are not only choosing where you attend class but also how you learn the skills and knowledge that form the foundation of your EMT training.
There can be several things to consider when looking at EMT programs in Florida. The number of training hours matters. So does the balance between classroom lessons and hands-on work. But classroom training isn’t enough! You’ll also want to know what happens outside the classroom and what the school expects before you graduate.
Emergency Training Academy’s EMT training program brings these parts together through 300 clock hours of training. Let’s take a closer look:
What Should You Look for in EMT Programs in Florida?
Start with the course itself. How many hours does it include? What type of training makes up those hours? And where do you get to practice what you learn?
ETA’s EMT program includes 300 clock hours and 13 semester credits. The program has 152 clock hours of lecture and 52 clock hours of laboratory training. The other 96 hours come from hospital and field clinical externships.
The hospital portion includes 24 clock hours, while the field portion includes 72 clock hours. Knowing how the hours are divided can tell you a lot about what your time in the EMT training will look like.
What Does the Classroom Training Cover?
The classroom portion is where you build your basic knowledge of emergency medical care. ETA’s EMT curriculum is based on the curriculum set forth by the United States Department of Transportation.
The lecture portion covers topics such as
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Scene size-up
- Patient assessment
- Airway care
- Respiratory problems
- Cardiology emergencies
- Medical emergencies
- Pediatric emergencies
- Trauma emergencies
- Ambulance operations
ETA’s EMT laboratory includes 52 clock hours of hands-on training. Students work on skills such as
- Patient assessment
- Airway adjuncts
- Bandaging
- Spinal immobilization
- Stairchair use
- Scoop stretcher use
- Lifting patients
- Obtaining vital signs
- Glucometer operations
- EKG setup
- KED use
- Traction splints
- Assisting a patient with medication
The lecture portion also covers anatomy and physiology, emergency medical services systems, special considerations in the pre-hospital setting, and patient transportation. The lab includes medical scenarios and psychomotor evaluation.
There is a lot to learn before you step into an emergency setting. The classroom provides that foundation and introduces you to the situations and subjects involved in EMR programs.
How Much Hands-On Training Does the Program Include?
The laboratory portion gives you time to work with the skills covered in your lessons. Instead of only reading about a procedure, you get to work through it as part of your training.
ETA includes 52 clock hours of laboratory training in the EMT program. Medical scenarios and psychomotor evaluation are also part of this portion of the course.
For EMT training in Florida, hands-on practice can be an important part of the overall learning experience.
Does the School Include Hospital and Field Externships?
As mentioned earlier, ETA includes a 24-clock-hour hospital clinical externship in an emergency department. The rotation is supervised by an instructor.
A 72-clock-hour field externship takes place at local fire-rescue departments and ambulance service providers. When you work in an uncontrolled environment, you get a different setting from that of the classroom or hospital.
Together, the hospital and field externships make up 96 hours of the program. If you are considering an EMT training program in Miami, that is a significant part of the 300 total clock hours.
What Do You Need Before You Enroll?
You need a high school diploma or GED. You must be at least 18 years old when you graduate. That said, if you start the program before you turn 18, you must obtain consent from a parent or guardian.
The application process includes the required forms, agreements, and waivers. Students also sign an enrollment agreement and acknowledge the school’s policies and procedures.
ETA requires a physical examination from a licensed physician. The examination must be completed within six months of submitting your application.
Health records are another part of the process. You need vaccination records or proof of immunity for certain conditions. In addition to documentation of U.S. citizenship, U.S. residency, or a student visa waiver, you need your Social Security Card and a current state ID or driver’s license.
There is also a minimum 10-panel drug screening and a background check. BLS for Healthcare Provider certification is required for EMT students, and ETA states that the certification is included in the course cost when the student attends the scheduled course.
How Do You Know If the School Meets the Right Standards?
The school itself matters too.
Emergency Training Academy is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education of the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Bureau of EMS. ETA lists License #4770 for the Commission for Independent Education and License #154 for the Florida Bureau of EMS.
ETA also lists affiliations connected to its hospital and EMS externship requirements. These include Keralty Community Hospital, Baptist Health Systems, Fox Medical Center, Campbell Urgent Care Center, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Coral Gables Fire Rescue, National Health Transport, and American Medical Response.
These affiliations are part of the settings in which students complete the clinical and field components of their training.
What Are the Graduation Requirements?
Students must successfully complete each part of the course, including the didactic portion, hands-on training, hospital rotations, and field externship.
ETA requires a minimum cumulative average of 73% before the final examinations. The written final examination also requires a score of at least 73%. Students must complete the EMT Basic practical portion in accordance with National Registry guidelines.
The required clinical and field rotations must be completed, and students must submit the necessary documentation. They also need to demonstrate competency in the national curriculum objectives and complete the final practical and examination requirements.
Professional behavior and a good attitude are also part of the program’s expectations.
So, there are several pieces to complete before you finish.
Is an EMT Training Program in Miami Right for You?
The right school can look different for each student. While one person may care most about location, another may focus more on the amount of hands-on training.
If you are looking for an EMT training program, Emergency Training Academy in Miami offers 300 clock hours of lecture and lab training, plus hospital and field clinical externships.
The program also has specific admission and graduation requirements, so you know what is expected before you begin. If you are comparing EMR programs, review their requirements carefully. For those considering paramedic training, understanding graduation requirements can also help you plan your next step.
If those details fit what you want from your education, Emergency Training Academy may be the school you have been looking for.
Ready to Start Your EMT Training?
There is a lot to consider when choosing an EMT school. If you are comparing EMT programs in Florida, take the time to see what Emergency Training Academy’s program includes. If it matches what you are looking for, you can review the admission requirements and decide if ETA is the right next step for you.
FAQs
How long is the EMT program at Emergency Training Academy?
ETA’s EMT program includes 300 clock hours and 13 semester credits. The hours cover lecture, laboratory training, hospital clinical externship, and field externship.
Does ETA provide hands-on EMT training?
Yes. The program includes 52 clock hours of laboratory training. Students practice a range of EMT skills and take part in medical scenarios and psychomotor evaluation.
Does the program include real-world clinical training?
Yes. Students complete supervised hospital clinical externship hours in an emergency department and supervised field externship hours at local fire-rescue departments and ambulance service providers.
What score do students need to pass the written final examination?
ETA requires students to earn at least 73% on the written final examination. Students must also meet the other academic, practical, clinical, and field requirements of the program.
