Alaska EMT Programs

New graduates celebrate with their families at their nursing commencement ceremony.

How to Become an EMT-Paramedic in Alaska and EMT-Paramedic Programs in Alaska

EMT stands for emergency medical technician. EMT-paramedics respond to 911 emergency calls and provide medical attention such as CPR and wound treatment. These individuals are also responsible for assessing a patient's overall condition and transporting him or her to the hospital safely. To become an EMT-paramedic in Alaska, you must first have a high school diploma or equivalent and CPR certification. These are required prerequisites for all continuing EMT programs. The next step is to choose an EMT training program. There are many different options. You can begin by becoming an EMT and gain experience in this role before becoming a paramedic.

EMT training is available in many locations. The University of Alaska Anchorage offers several EMT training courses. The emergency trauma technician course is open to all students. Emergency medical technician I requires prior CPR certification, emergency medical technician II requires EMT I certification, and emergency medical technician III training requires EMT II certification. After this final course, students will be equipped to pass the examination for EMT III certification. EMT training courses are also available from the Division of Public Health in Alaska. EMT I, II, and III training courses are held regularly at locations throughout the state including the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, Norton Sound, Yukon Kuskokwim and Mat-Su.

To become an EMT-paramedic in Alaska, students must obtain an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paramedic Technology. This course of study includes a clinical rotation and field internship. Paramedical technology programs are available at Matanuska-Susitna College, Kenai Peninsula College, and UAF Tanana Valley Campus in Alaska. To join any of these paramedic training programs, applicants must first be registered with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and certified as an EMT-I, EMT-II, or EMT-III in the state of Alaska. After completing a paramedic course, you must obtain certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and licensure from the State Medical Board.

Once you know about how to become an EMT-paramedic in Alaska and EMT-paramedic programs in Alaska, you'll see that it's not as difficult as it seems to pursue this career. Anchorage, Alaska is the third-highest paying metropolitan area for EMTs and paramedics with an annual mean wage of $58,520 according to May 2010 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Railbait/Southwest area is the highest paying nonmetropolitan area in the country for this occupation, with a mean annual wage of $60,290. Southeast Alaska is the third-highest paying nonmetropolitan are in the country with a mean annual wage of $50,220. Paramedics in this state can make a very good living.