Tennessee EMT Programs

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EMT-Paramedic in Tennessee - Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician in Tennessee

In an emergency situation, lives can depend on the speed and quality of treatment received from the first responders on the scene. These front lines soldiers of the medical profession have to have the proper training and preparation to serve others well. There are four types of licensing to become an EMT-Paramedic in Tennessee: First Responder, EMT IV, Paramedic, and Paramedic Critical Care. To qualify for any of these licenses, applicants will need to have completed one of the approved EMT-Paramedic programs in Tennessee. There are also other requirements involved to be one of these emergency medical technicians.

When you want to know how to become an EMT-Paramedic in Tennessee, one of the first things to decide is what level you want to start at. When submitting First Responder applications, applicants must be at least 18 years old. They must also have completed Basic CPR training, a board approved First Responder training program, and must pass the certification exam. Completing an EMS board approved Emergency Medical Technician IV course is necessary to be licensed for EMT IV status. Applicants must also pass practical and written exams. Adequate physical ability to do the job of an EMT in Tennessee must be proven by a medical examination, and a criminal background check will also be performed.

In addition to the requirements for an EMT IV, applicants for a Paramedic license must also complete a board-approved EMT-Paramedic course. There are also written and practical exams to qualify as an EMT-Paramedic in Tennessee at this level. To become a Paramedic Critical Care specialist, applicants have to be licensed in Tennessee at the Paramedic level first. An EMS board approved course in Critical Care and written exam can qualify applicants for the extra specialization license. For all four licenses, applicants have to be able to read, write, and speak English well, so they can communicate effectively with both patients and medical personnel.

No matter which level of licensure you choose, the rewards of the emergency medical profession are both intangible and tangible. The intangible results include the good feelings you receive when truly helping people in dire situations. Tangibly, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Paramedics across the nation make an annual median wage of $34,040. An EMT-Paramedic in Tennessee makes an average of $32,010 each year. However, there is a fantastic job outlook for this emergency medical field. Experts estimate that the job opportunities will increase by thirty-three percent, while the estimates across all occupations only amount to a fourteen percent increase.

• Tennessee Department of Health