Connecticut EMT Programs

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

How to Become a EMT-Paramedic in Connecticut – Find a Great EMT-Paramedic Program

To become an EMT-Paramedic is to reach the highest level of education and training in the Emergency Medical Technician field. You must be at least 18 years of age to become an EMT-P and complete a minimum amount of training with a requirement of ongoing annual training, the length of which is set by the medical director, as well as recertification in CPR, ACLS, and PALS (biannually). Requirements for yearly continued training in your geographical area may vary, but could require up to 36 hours. Once you obtain your license, it must be renewed every year in the month you were born.

If you are interested in how to become an EMT-Paramedic in Connecticut, you must first understand the dedication to education that will be required. A successful EMT-P candidate will have completed a Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum approved mobile intensive care program and the NREMT practical, as well as written, examination. Once you understand and accept the scope of education and hands on training you must receive, you may begin to look for a qualified EMT-Paramedic Program in Connecticut that meets your needs. Luckily, there are quite a few accredited schools offering outstanding EMT-P programs for you to choose from. We'll discuss a few of those here.

In Hartford, you can select Capital Community College, a 2-year open admissions college offering certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS). Graduates of CCC's program are on course to certify as EMT-P's and apply for their state licenses. In East Hartford, you can go to Goodwin College. Their EMT-P course work covers advance life support, trauma care and medical intervention, patient assessment, and clinical decision-making. Prospective EMT-P's will also attend three paramedic clinical classes, allowing hands on experience in a controlled environment. After completion of this course, graduates may apply their credits towards an associate's or bachelor's degree in Health Science.

If you live in the Norwalk, Connecticut, area, you can attend Norwalk Community College where you may obtain an associate's degree level of education, as well as get the education you need to qualify for EMT-Paramedic certification and licensure. In Bridgeport, CT, you find a fit with the Bridgeport Hospital Emergency Medicine Institute's Paramedic program. This course requires 12 to 14 months of intensive training in the classroom, as well as in clinics. You must be able to put in 20 hours a week to the program with more hours required during internships. After 1200 hours of high intensity instruction and training, graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Registry Exam (NRE).

• Connecticut Department of Health