Becoming a volunteer EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) is often easier than you may think. While becoming a volunteer is not a requirement, it is highly encouraged by most fire departments and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers. Here we will discuss the process to become a volunteer EMT and provide some insight on how to write your letters of inquiry.
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How To Become A Volunteer Emt
Becoming an EMT volunteer gives you the opportunity to help others and helps prepare you for a career as a full-time EMT volunteer. Understanding the responsibilities of an EMT volunteer, what skills an EMT volunteer needs and what steps you need to take to become an EMT volunteer may help you decide if it’s the right career path for you. In this article, we review what to learn in order to become an EMT volunteer.
Related: EMT vs. Paramedic: Which Path Is Right for You?
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What is an EMT volunteer?
An EMT volunteer is an emergency medical volunteer who provides emergency services with the aid of nurses and a full-time EMT. As the name suggests, they work as volunteers and typically work unpaid. EMT volunteers often work in large cities, though, they may also gain employment from EMS agencies in rural areas.
Because of the higher call rate in densely populated areas, these areas often require more EMT volunteers compared to rural areas. EMT volunteers typically have more work flexibility than their full-time coworkers. Many attend college or even high school while working as a part-time EMT on a volunteer basis.
Related: What Is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)?
What does an EMT volunteer do?
EMT volunteers assess critical situations in response to an emergency call. They often control bleeding, preform CPR or administer intervening fluid medication at the immediate site of an accident, fire or injury. They place patients in ambulances and transport them from accident sites to a hospital and continue to administer care until their arrival. Once they arrive at the hospital with the patient, they provide doctors and nurses with on-scene details regarding the incident.
Related: FAQ: How Many Hours Do EMTs Usually Work?
EMT volunteer skills
Aside from the basic requirements needed to become an EMT, EMT volunteers have specific skills that help them navigate and work efficiently in their workplace. Some of these skills include:
Stress management
Because EMT volunteers experience the same job environment as a full-time EMT, you need to prepare for potentially stressful situations. As an EMT volunteer, you need stress management skills to help you bring a calm mindset, security and knowledgeable leadership to high-stress locations and situations. If you want to become an EMT volunteer, consider self-evaluating how you manage stress and whether you can work with the potential situations you may encounter as an EMT volunteer.
Efficient communication skills
EMT volunteers need strong and efficient communications skills. This means having the ability to communicate quickly between coworkers, drivers and nurses and doctors. From the time you arrive at the scene of an incident to the moment you transfer the patient to a team of doctors or a nurse, you need to know how to communicate various details to medical professionals to ensure optimal patient care. Some details you may need to communicate include:
- Patient’s current condition
- Patient’s immediate needs
- Estimated time of the incident and other time predictions related to the patient
- Incident-related details that may help doctors or nurses provide better care to the patient
Physical strength and quick response
Because EMT volunteers respond to incidents and situations first, becoming an EMT volunteer means you need a certain amount of physical strength and speed. EMT volunteers may need physical strength to lift heavy objects on the job. In addition, they use their speed to quickly respond to potential dangers or solutions in emergency situations. As an EMT volunteer, you need to assess a situation and process information quickly throughout your entire shift, regardless of what various situational obstacles you may face.
How to become an EMT volunteer
If you’re thinking about becoming an EMT volunteer, use the following steps:
1. Meet the basic EMT volunteer requirements
In the United States, you need to meet some basic requirements as an EMT volunteer besides completing training and becoming licensed in various tests. Make sure you meet some of the basic EMT volunteer requirements including:
- GED or high school diploma
- At least 18 years of age
- Acceptable vision, with or without the aid of contacts or glasses
- Clear and accurate color vision
- Mental stability
2. Complete an EMT training program and secure your license
Complete a training program before getting licensed. Most volunteer EMT training programs include courses that last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Programs typically include around 100 hours of classwork that include training for emergency situations. Many EMS agencies offer EMT training programs to potential students for free, as long as candidates commit to a certain amount of volunteer work after meeting the requirements.
To ensure the validity of your license, enroll in a state-approved EMS program. Community colleges, emergency care training centers, trade schools and technical schools typically offer free EMT volunteer training programs.
3. Get a CPR certification
If required by your EMT volunteer program, pursue a CPR certification prior to program entry. Many online organizations offer a CPR certification. You can also get a CPR certification at most emergency care training centers, public service centers or hospitals.
Related: Differences Between EMTs and Paramedics
4. Pass the psychomotor exam
Before becoming qualified as an EMT volunteer, pass the EMT volunteer psychomotor exam. Your state EMS office—or another training office approved by the state office—administers the test to qualified applicants. The test lets you demonstrate your ability to handle many of the emergency skills needed as an EMT volunteer. Assessed skills include your ability to handle these situations and tools:
- Patient management and assessment regarding trauma
- Oxygen administration using a non-rebreather mask
- Patient management and assessment regarding medical needs
- Bleeding control
- Bag valve mask ventilation of an apneic adult patient
- Shock management
- Automated external defibrillator
- Cardiac arrest management
- Long bone immobilization
- Joint immobilization
To find locations where you can take the test, check with your state’s EMS office.
5. Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam
Before becoming an EMT volunteer, earn a passing score on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians cognitive exam. It contains over 60 questions on topics such as:
- Respiration
- Airways
- Cardiology
- Ventilation
- Resuscitation
- EMS operations
- Trauma
In order to pass, you must meet what the NREMT defines as a standard competency level. The test can take two hours or more to take, depending on the applicant. You can find many officially approved sources online to help you prepare for the exam.
6. Search for hire openings
After receiving proper training and certification, determine where you want to work as an EMT. Consider moving to find the EMS agency that’s best for you. Search for job opportunities and consider the following when making your decision:
- Location: Densely populated areas may have more openings than rural areas. However, densely populated areas are also busier. Determine which you favor before applying for a volunteer opportunity.
- Schedule: Before signing on with an agency as a volunteer, consider your current schedule. Specifically, consider how it might align with your current job or schooling.
- Finance: Consider whether a position you’re interested in offers compensation. Because many EMT volunteers work unpaid, make sure you can afford to work in a volunteer capacity.
7. Complete an application and interview for your position
Apply and interview for a position with an EMS agency. Follow standard interview practices so your skills and trained experiences become clear to your potential employer. Emphasize that your training has prepared you for the EMS volunteer position you’re applying for.
EMT volunteer job outlook and salary
As an EMT volunteer, your time in this position may help you gain a career in full-time EMT work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), full-time paid EMTs are one of the fastest growing positions in the U.S. The BLS predicts that the occupation may grow 6% from 2019 and 2019—a rate much faster than most other positions. Full-time EMTs make a national average salary of $42,741. Keep in mind that both this job outlook and salary may differ for EMT volunteer opportunities.
