Becoming an EMT in Idaho
Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Idaho follows a similar process as many other states. EMT training in Idaho begins with going through an approved EMT program and passing the National Registry of EMT (NREMT) exams. Idaho EMT candidates will then need to get affiliated and apply for an Idaho state EMT license.
Scroll down for more detailed information about each step in the Idaho EMT training process. You will also find detailed information about the Idaho Emergency Medical Services (EMS) scope of practice. This lists skills that each level of emergency medical technician are allowed to perform on the job.
EMS in Idaho are licensed at one of four levels, which are all listed below.
According to the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) there are approximately 3,618 licensed EMS in Idaho.
EMS Levels Licensed in Idaho
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
• Paramedic (EMT-P)
Idaho EMT Training
Idaho EMT training will prepare students to respond to emergencies in a pre-hospital environment while transporting sick and injured patients in the Idaho EMS system.
EMTs provide a critical link between the health care system and the scene of an accident or injury. Idaho EMT training will prepare students to recognize emergency situations, treat routine injuries and transport patients as needed.
Idaho Volunteer EMS System
An important aspect of Idaho EMS is the volunteer EMS system. Idaho EMS greatly relies on volunteer providers, both compensated and uncompensated.
There are both retiree volunteers and volunteers working full-time jobs. In fact, there’s been an interesting trend showing that volunteers are entering the Idaho EMS workforce at a younger age. Also Idaho EMS are applying for their initial license at younger ages.
This is good news because volunteer EMTs are extremely important to rural Idaho communities.
Don’t get discourage by these statistics if you are considering becoming an EMT later in life. The average age range for Idaho EMS is still between 40-45 years old.
Medical Reserve Corps
Idaho makes volunteering easy by participating in the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). If you are considering becoming an EMT in Idaho, you might be interested in joining the MRC too.
The MRC is nationwide program that is made up of private citizens, medical professionals, and public health professionals. The MRC helps the community during emergencies, disasters and public health issues.
Medical training is not needed to become a valued member of the MRC in Idaho. They will provide free training to non-medical personnel.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer in your area, register for the MRC at http://volunteeridaho.com.
Idaho EMT School Requirements
While there are different Idaho EMT school programs available for EMT training, most of them have similar prerequisites for getting accepted. This includes the classroom, online, accelerated and blended (both online and in class) programs.
After completing EMT training at a credible school, students will be eligible to take both NREMT exams.
Each Idaho EMT school can add additional requirements if they want, but in general most Idaho EMT schools will want the following prerequisites met.
→ Idaho EMT students can begin EMT training before the age of 18. In fact, student in Idaho can become licensed as an EMT at 16 – 17 years old with parental consent. (Each school has the option to implement their own age requirement.)
→ Some Idaho EMT schools will require candidates to have a High School Diploma or G.E.D. in order to be accepted.
→ EMT training in Idaho requires either a current AHA BLS Provider level or American Red Cross “CPR for the Professional Rescuer” CPR card. Idaho EMT programs offer flexibility and usually don’t require CPR certification until the middle or end of the EMT course.
→ Idaho EMT training recommends students show proof of immunizations or titers for the following:
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Tetanus/Diphtheria (Tdap)
Hepatitis B
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
In Idaho some schools allow students to sign an immunizations waiver. An example waiver says:
Due to personal, medical, or religious reason, I choose to decline immunizations.
→ Applicants for Idaho EMT schools will need a negative Tuberculosis skin test.
→ Some EMT programs in Idaho require a flu vaccine within the last year.
→ Some Idaho EMT training requires applicants to pass a Background Check. Students with a felony on their record may have a difficult time getting assigned a clinical site.
→ Idaho EMT programs may require a drug screening test for acceptance into the program.
→ Idaho EMT students will need to show proof of medical insurance prior to beginning clinicals.
→ Some EMT training in Idaho will want applicants to pass a physical exam.
→ If students enroll in an Idaho EMT class at a college or University, they may need to show proof of reading, math or writing competency. Idaho schools can accept SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP, ALEKS, or WRITE testing and placement exams.
Idaho AEMT School Requirements
Advanced emergency medical technicians will need to meet all of the above prerequisites for EMT school along with the following:
→ Applicants to AEMT schools in Idaho will need to be currently certified as an emergency medical technician. This can be an EMT certification from the NREMT or the State of Idaho.
Idaho Paramedic School Requirements
Paramedic school is a more rigorous training program and can have a more difficult set of standards for acceptance than lower level EMT programs. In addition to the EMT and AEMT requirements above, Idaho Paramedic school applicants will need to do the following:
→ Idaho Paramedic school applicants should have a current EMT or Advanced EMT certification. It’s also acceptable to currently be enrolled in those courses.
→ Paramedic school students in Idaho need to show proof of a valid driver’s license.
→ Most Idaho Paramedic training programs will require students to complete a physical.
→ Idaho Paramedic training will require applicants to pass Entrance Exams which might also include a panel interview.
→ Students applying to an Idaho Paramedic program will need to complete a Paramedic Program Application.
→ Many Idaho Paramedic programs will ask applicants for a resume, letter of intent and letters of recommendation.
→ Idaho Paramedic students might need to write a letter describing a medical experience dealing with patient care.
→ Students may be required to take Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology as prerequisites or co-requisites for some Idaho Paramedic training programs.
Taking the NREMT
After completing an Idaho EMT training program, students become eligible to take both the Cognitive and Psychomotor National Registry of EMT examinations.
Idaho candidates need to pass these exams before they can apply for the Idaho State EMS license. For information about both of these exams check out the NREMT exams page.
The NREMT Cognitive exam is a written exam that is administered via computer at a Pearson VUE testing center. There are Pearson VUE Centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Spokane, Washington.
To sign up for a Cognitive exam test date, students should go to the NREMT website and create an account. In March of 2018 the NREMT released Handbooks for each level of EMS Provider that are a step by step guide for submitting applications and taking the certification exams.
These new handbooks are great guides for anyone applying for their initial EMS license.
The National Registry of EMT Psychomotor exam is a hands on test that should be scheduled toward the end of your EMT training course.
Idaho EMT schools will prepare candidates for the psychomotor exam and course instructors should help students set up a testing date and time at the end of EMT training.
Once candidates have passed both NREMT exams they will become Nationally certified by the National Registry of EMTs. If you chose “mail” instead of “print” when setting up your profile with the NREMT, you will be sent a packet.
The packet can take up to 30 days to arrive and contains a letter of congratulations, your NREMT card, a wall certificate and an EMT patch.
If you chose “print” you will have to print the NREMT card and certificate and they will mail you the patch.
Now that you are certified as an EMT on a national level, it’s time to become affiliated and apply for the Idaho State EMT license.
What do you mean I have to be affiliated?
Before candidates can apply for the Idaho EMT State license and begin working with patients in Idaho, they must become affiliated. Idaho EMT candidates must secure affiliation with an Idaho licensed EMS agency.
Affiliation means an Idaho EMT needs to volunteer with or be employed by a qualifying EMS agency. Some examples of qualifying EMS agencies are a Fire Department, EMS, or Law Enforcement.
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