Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) play a vital role in providing rapid critical care and transportation for patients in medical emergencies. As one of the largest cities in the U.S. with a population of over 1.5 million, Philadelphia has a growing need for well-trained EMT professionals to serve its communities. For aspiring EMTs looking to break into this rewarding field, getting quality training is the first step.
Philadelphia offers a range of EMT training options to choose from including programs offered by technical schools, community colleges, universities, ambulance corps, fire departments, and private training centers. When researching programs, it‘s important to look beyond just convenience and cost and evaluate factors like quality of instruction, credibility of certifications offered, career support services, and practical training opportunities.
This guide provides an extensive overview of the best EMT training programs in Philadelphia along with insider tips to help you choose the right program, financing guidance, career prospects for EMTs in the city, and more.
Overview of Top EMT Training Providers in Philadelphia
Some of the top institutions offering EMT training in Philadelphia include:
Delaware County Community College
With over 5 decades of experience providing emergency responder training, Delaware County Community College (DCCC) is one of the most reputed options for EMT programs in Philadelphia. DCCC offers an accredited 5-month emergency medical technician training program covering all key areas like medical emergencies, trauma care, ambulance operations etc.
The program includes 180 hours of instruction including lectures, practical labs, and hands-on clinical rotations at partner hospitals. Graduates earn the EMT certification testing pre-requisites to work as emergency medical technicians in Pennsylvania.
Key Details:
- Program Duration: 5 months
- Format: On-campus evenings and weekends
- Cost: $950 plus textbooks
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) offers an EMT training program through its EMS Training Institute which has been training EMTs for over 3 decades.
PCOM‘s 10-week on-campus EMT program provides students with over 164 hours of instruction and practical labs to build core emergency care skills as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards. Students get opportunities for clinical rotations at PCOM‘s Healthcare Centers.
Key Details:
- Program Duration: 10 weeks
- Format: On-campus
- Cost: $1,295 which includes textbook rental
Temple University
Through its College of Public Health, Temple University offers an accredited EMT training program in an accelerated 4-week format. The program includes over 150 hours of classroom lectures, hands-on skills training, and clinical rotations with an ambulance company and in the emergency department of Temple University Hospital.
Students are prepared to take Pennsylvania‘s EMT-B certication exams after completing the program. It also serves as a primer for those interested in advancing their careers further to paramedic and other healthcare roles.
Key Details:
- Program Duration: 4 weeks accelerated format
- Format: On-campus
- Cost: $1,225 + textbook costs
Emergency Training Academy
Located in nearby Thorndale, PA Emergency Training Academy provides an intensive 4-week onsite EMT training program qualifying graduates to take NREMT certification exams.
With small class sizes of under 16 students, the program offers opportunities for personalized instruction and hands-on skills mastery guidance from seasoned EMT instructors. Program fees cover all training materials, uniform shirts, NREMT psychomotor exam costs and more.
Key Details:
- Program Duration: 4 weeks accelerated
- Format: Onsite evenings & weekends
- Cost: $1,299 all-inclusive
Other Providers
Some other institutions like healthcare centers, ambulance corps, and fire departments also offer accredited EMT programs periodically in the city and surrounding counties for their staff as well as external enrollments.
These include organizations like Bucks County Community College, Montgomery County Community College, Penn Medicine, Center City EMT, National EMT Academy etc.Availability, duration and costs vary across these periodic program offerings.
Choosing the Right EMT Training Program in Philadelphia: Key Factors to Consider
While there are many good EMT training options, you need to evaluate some key parameters carefully before enrolling in a program:
Check Accreditation Status
It‘s critical to verify that your chosen EMT training program is accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
These accrediting bodies ensure that the curriculum, instructor qualifications, medical oversight, and other quality aspects of the programs meet the national standards. Graduates from accredited programs are eligible to take the NREMT exams required for EMT certifications.
Evaluate Program Content
Look for programs that offer a comprehensive curriculum covering anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology basics, patient assessment, trauma emergencies, medical emergencies, OB-GYN situations, ambulance operations, regional protocols and more per the National EMS Education Standards.
Around 150-190 hours of instruction is typical for quality EMT courses. Check out their skill labs, clinical rotation partners in evaluating hands-on training quality.
Instructor Credentials & Training Resources
The quality of instruction you receive dramatically impacts how well you learn the practical emergency response skills needed on the job. Review instructor bio profiles including their level of field experience, certifications held, and years in teaching. Availability of rich online libraries, medical equipment for hands-on practice etc. also provide better training outcomes.
Costs & Financing Options
Tuition costs for EMT programs can range from $950 to $1500 in the Philadelphia area depending on length and features. Evaluate all aspects included in the fees – textbooks, exam fees, equipment etc. Also check financing options like payment plans, loans, scholarships available to fund your program if needed.
Career Placement Support
Gauging the career guidance and job placement support offered by programs provides a reality check on how easily you can get hired post-certification. Some centers offer resume reviews, interview prep, graduate testimonials, and employer partnerships that can smooth your entry into the EMT job market.
By evaluating these key parameters across your shortlisted EMT training options, you can identify the right fit based on your learning needs, schedule and career goals.
Financing Your EMT Training
The cost of quality EMT training programs can range from $1000 to upwards of $2000. Here are some financing options that can help fund your education if you cannot afford the full fees outright:
Payment Plans
Most EMT training providers offer customizable installment payment plans to spread out tuition fees over duration of the course. Typically only a small enrollment deposit needs to be paid upfront.
Employer Sponsorships
Those looking to advance their careers with existing healthcare employers may be eligible for full or partial tuition reimbursement programs offered by their employers.
Student Loans & Grants
Government-sponsored student aid programs like Stafford loans, Perkins loans etc can provide low-interest funding for short-term allied health programs like EMT training. Grants like ACLS Grant for Minority Students also support underserved communities entering the EMT field.
Private Lenders
Banks and private lenders like Sallie Mae offer loans tailored specifically to students enrolling in vocational programs and technical institutes which can be used to finance your EMT education expenses.
Local Scholarships
Many foundations, hospitals, social organizations etc. offer scholarships and stipends for aspiring EMTs from specific communities and demographics. Conduct searches to find relevant scholarship options to offset a portion of your EMT program costs.
By tapping into these resources where eligible, you can fund your EMT education and focus on successfully completing the program without financial pressures.
What to Expect: EMT Certification Process
Once you graduate from an accredited EMT training program, there are a few more steps to get certified to work as an emergency medical technician:
Pass the NREMT Exam
You need to pass the psychomotor skills evaluation and the National Registry EMT cognitive exams conducted by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians to receive your EMT certification. Both written and practical competence are evaluated.
Meet State Requirements
While the NREMT certification is required nationally, states have additional licensure requirements before individuals can work as EMTs there legally. In Pennsylvania, you need to apply for EMT state licensure from the Department of Health once you pass the NREMT exams.
Maintain Your Certification
EMT certifications need to renewed every 2 years in most states including Pennsylvania. You need to complete a state-defined number of continuing education hours and re-verification checks to renew your license.
Reputable EMT training programs help streamline much of this certification paperwork process for their graduating students. Still, understanding these post-course requirements is useful to set appropriate expectations of the overall timeline and costs involved to getting job-ready in your location.
EMT Job Outlook in Philadelphia
The job outlook for EMT positions in the city of Philadelphia is quite robust. As per projections from Projections Central, the Philadelphia metro area is estimated to see a steady 10% growth in EMT job openings between 2020 to 2030. An aging population demanding greater medical transportation and emergency services is driving broader demands for EMT staffing across the country.
Across the US, the median annual salaries for EMTs and paramedics, as per May 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, are:
- Median Annual Salary for EMTs: $36,850
- Median Annual Salary for Paramedics: $39,640
In the higher cost-of-living Philadelphia region, average EMT annual salaries tend to be around $38,000 to $42,000 based on experience level and special certifications held from sources like ADP, Glassdoor and Payscale.
Top employers hiring EMTs in Philadelphia span ambulance transport services, fire departments, hospitals and other healthcare centers. Major recruiters in the metro area include Center City EMT, National EMT Academy, AmeriHealth Ambulance Services, ACME Ambulance Service, Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Temple Health and more.
Insider Tips for Picking the Best EMT Program in Philadelphia
To gain additional insights into selecting quality EMT training tailored to jobs in the Philadelphia market, we interviewed long-time EMT educator Rick Campana, lead instructor with Temple University‘s EMT program.
Here are some key tips he emphasized:
- "Check if the course Blanchard or Hybrid style which mixes self-learning with practical classroom time. This prepares you better for real-world conditions."
- "Any Less than 160 hours programs is likely not enough hands-on skills training to gain field confidence."
- "Reach out to past graduates of programs to gauge how satisfied students have been with the instructor quality and career prep."
- "If you envision EMT role as a stepping stone to paramedic or other healthcare careers, evaluate if credits transfer to further degree programs."
Getting the right professional instruction lays a strong foundation for an impactful and rewarding career as an EMT serving Philadelphia communities. By following these tips and guidelines, you can identify an EMT program tailored to your learning needs while setting you up for success in this growing field.
To learn about available EMT training courses in Philadelphia scheduled to start soon, visit our website www.emtprogramsphiladelphia.com or call +1 215-555-1212.