| What is an AEMT? |
An AEMT functions as a primary care provider in the pre-hospital setting. The AEMT is responsible for all aspects of care provided to the sick and injured, including basic life support. The AEMT is responsible for driving an ambulance and will work under the supervision of a paramedic. An AEMT 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. Graduation from the AEMT certificate does not earn a student a diploma unless they have completed an EMT certificate. |
| Length of Program |
1 semester (not including prerequisite courses); Program courses must be taken in sequence within the prescribed time frame. |
| Semester Program Begins |
Lawrenceville Campus
- Spring semester; Day; 2/week
- Fall semester; Day; 2/week
- Spring semester; Night; 3/week
- Summer semester; Day; 3/week
Alpharetta North-Fulton Campus
- Spring semester; Day; 2/week
- Fall semester; Day; 2/week.
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| Minimum Age Requirement |
Age 18 at the time program starts. |
| General Admission Application Process |
Students applying for this program must be accepted into the EMS Profession diploma.
- Apply to Gwinnett Technical College at GwinnettTech.edu.
- Submit documentation of current certification and/or licensure.
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| Program Application Process |
Unless a returning student from the current EMT program, all applicants are required to submit a program form. Forms are available online at www.GwinnettTech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/
- Fall application deadline: June 1
- Spring application deadline: October 10
Program director approval is required.
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| Program Admissions |
Acceptance is based on proof of current certification and/or licensure as an: EMT or EMT-Basic (with successful completion of Georgia State Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma (SOEMST) EMT-B to EMT update course); or proof of successful completion of EMSP 1110, EMSP 1120, EMSP 1130, EMSP 1140, EMSP 1150, AND EMSP 1160. Criminal background checks and drug screens are required based on the requirements for participation in clinical experiences. |
| Program Cost and Requirements |
Approximately $720 in addition to tuition for: uniforms; malpractice insurance; textbooks; criminal background checks & drug screening; Platinum Planner; immunizations for clinicals; National Registry Exam Fee; National Registry practical exam site fee; Georgia state licensure and Background Check; other incidental costs. For returning current EMT students, some of the above fees might be waived. All costs are approximated and are subject to change. |
| For more information, contact: |
Kim Smith, program support specialist, KimberlySmith@GwinnettTech.edu , 678.226.6966. |
| For admission and enrollment, contact: |
Enrollment Support Center in Building 100 at the Lawrenceville campus, or Building A at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus, or email at 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
| 2016 Median pay |
$32,670 per year / $15.71 per hour |
| Entry level education |
Diploma, 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 2016. 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 $31,670 in May 2016. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,240 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56,310.
Reach 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).
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