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What is an EMT? |
An EMT functions as a primary care provider in the pre-hospital setting. The EMT is responsible for all aspects of care provided to the sick and injured, including basic life support. The EMT is responsible for driving an ambulance and will work under the supervision of a Paramedic. An EMT may work for local government, ambulance services, or in the hospital emergency room. Starting salaries are $24,000 - $26,000 per year. Learn more about the career at nremt.org. Note: graduation from an EMT certificate does not earn you a diploma unless you also complete an AEMT certificate. |
| Semester Program Begins |
Lawrenceville Campus
- Spring semester; Day classes; 2/week
- Fall semester; Day classes; 2/week
- Summer semester (continues onto fall semester); Night classes; 3/week
Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus
- Fall semester; Day classes; 2/week
- Spring semester; Day classes; 2/week
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| Minimum Age Requirement |
Age 18 at the time program starts. |
| General Admission Application Process |
- Apply to Gwinnett Technical College at GwinnettTech.edu, submit all transcripts from high school and previous college work, and take the Accuplacer test, if required. Students must be accepted into Gwinnett Technical College prior to applying to a program of study.
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| Program Application Process |
All applicants are required to submit a program form. Forms are available online at www.GwinnettTech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/.
- Summer application deadline: March 22nd
Prerequisite deadline: End of spring semester
- Fall application deadline: June 1st
Prerequisite deadline: End of summer semester
- Spring application deadline: October 10th
Prerequisite deadline: End of fall semester
Program director approval is required.
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Program Prerequisites
(Minimum 2.0 GPA) |
All of the following:
ENGL 1010 or ENGL 1101
MATH 1012 or MATH 1111
ALHS 1011 * or BIOL 2113 /BIOL 2113L * and BIOL 2114 /BIOL 2114L *
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FYES 1000
PSYC 1010 or PSYC 1101
ALHS 1090 * |
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*These courses cannot be more than 5 years old at time of program application.
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| Program Admissions |
Successful completion of all prerequisite courses and submission of program form. Criminal background checks and drug screens are required based on the requirements for participation in clinical experiences. |
| Program Costs and Requirements |
Approximately $725 for: uniforms; malpractice insurance; textbooks; criminal background checks & drug screening; Platinum Planner; National Registry Exam; National Registry practical exam site fee; Georgia state licensure; other incidental costs. All costs are approximated and are subject to change. Please note: some of these additional costs are added as fees at the beginning of the semester. |
For more information, contact:
For admission and enrollment, contact: |
Kim Smith, program support specialist, KimberlySmith@GwinnettTech.edu, 678-226-6966.
Enrollment Support Center in Building 100 at the Lawrenceville campus, or Building A at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus, or email HealthTeam@GwinnettTech.edu. |
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Information Sessions
Lawrenceville Campus: 4th Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m., Building 200, Room 271
Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus: 1st Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. by appointment only
Please contact Kim Smith at KimberlySmith@GwinnettTech.edu to make an appointment
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Quick Facts
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| 2016 Median pay |
$32,670 per year / $15.71 per hour |
| Entry level education |
Diploma or certificate |
| Number of jobs, 2014 |
241,200 |
| Job growth, 2014 - 2024 |
24% (much faster than average) |
Nature of the Work
The EMT represents the first response of the emergency medical system. An EMT trained at this level is prepared to care for patients at the scene of an accident and while transporting patients by ambulance to the hospital under the direction of more highly trained medical personnel. The EMT has the emergency skills to assess a patient’s condition and manage respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies. The AEMT has more advanced training. However, the specific tasks that those certified at this level are allowed to perform varies greatly from state to state. Once they arrive, EMTs assess the nature of the patient’s condition, while trying to determine whether the patient has any pre-existing medical conditions. Following protocols and guidelines, they provide emergency care and transport the patient to a medical facility. EMTs operate in emergency medical services systems where a physician provides medical direction and oversight.
EMTs use special equipment, such as backboards, to immobilize patients before placing them on stretchers and securing them in the ambulance for transport to a medical facility. These workers generally work in teams. During the transport of a patient, one drives, while the other monitors the patient’s vital signs and gives additional care, as needed. At the medical facility, EMTs help transfer patients to the emergency department, report their observations and actions to emergency department staff, and may provide additional emergency treatment. After each run, EMTs document the trip, replace used supplies, and check equipment.
Work Environment
EMTs work both indoors and out, in all types of weather. They are required to do considerable kneeling, bending, and heavy lifting. These workers are at a higher risk for contracting illnesses or experiencing injuries on the job than workers in other occupations. They risk noise-induced hearing loss from sirens and back injuries from lifting patients. In addition, EMTs may be exposed to communicable diseases, such as Hepatitis-B and AIDS, as well as to violence from mentally unstable or combative patients. The work is not only physically strenuous but can be stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death situations and suffering patients. Many EMTs are required to work more than 40 hours a week. Because emergency services function 24 hours a day, EMTs and paramedics may have irregular working hours.
Employment
EMTs and paramedics held about 241,200 jobs nationally in 2014. Most career EMTs work in metropolitan areas. Volunteer EMTs are more common in small cities, towns, and rural areas. These individuals volunteer for fire departments, emergency medical services, or hospitals and may respond to only a few calls per month. Employment of emergency medical technicians and paramedics is expected to grow 24 percent between 2014 and 2024.
Earnings
Median annual wages nationally of EMTs and paramedics were $32,670 in May 2016. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,860 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $55,110.
Research the Career
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition,
EMTs and Paramedics, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm (visited September 30, 2017).
The Gwinnett Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Lisa Richardson, Section 504/ADA, Title IX and Equity Coordinator, Building 100, Room 708, 678.226.6691, LRichardson@GwinnettTech.edu
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