EMT Jobs Prep Garners Success for Local Students

Students preparing for EMT jobs (Click here) at one local college fared much better than their state and national counterparts.

Graduates from Calhoun Community College's emergency medical technician and paramedic program recently exceeded state and national averages on certification exams and are now ranked among the best in the county.

The National Registry Examination group, which administers the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Exam - the national licensure exam for EMTs and paramedics - found that CCC's emergency programs rate significantly higher than state and national averages.

"These very impressive passage rates posted by our graduates demonstrate the excellence of our program, the dedication of our students and the hard work and commitment of our faculty," Bret McGil, dean of Calhoun's Health Science Division, told The Huntsville Times.

Overall, 100 percent of the college's paramedic students passed the exam, exceeding the 70 percent of students throughout Alabama and 75 percent of students throughout the nation who passed. Of the EMT students at CCC, 96 percent passed, compared to 74 percent throughout the state and 70 percent nationwide.

There are many opportunities in Alabama and throughout the country for EMTs and paramedics, who can work in local fire departments, hospitals, rescue squads, insurance companies and local physician's offices. Local companies such as Toyota, International Paper and Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant also employ these workers.

EMTs are skilled in providing basic life support to all patients, whether in a trauma, cardiac or medical condition. Paramedics, on the other hand, are the highest level of pre-hospital care and are responsible for administering medications and performing high-level skills such as IVs, intubation and defibrillation.