Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

An EMT is an Emergency Medical Technician. In general, there are three levels of EMS certification in which EMS professionals work on ambulances: EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic. All EMS providers act under protocols and direct orders from physicians. Most EMTs work on ambulances either for public or private ambulance companies, fire departments or hospitals. The specific skills EMS professionals utilize are dependent  on the level of EMS certification held.  EMTs assess patients, administer oxygen, use automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), administer some medications, perform CPR as well as many other procedures. More advanced skills such as staring IV lines and intubating patients are reserved for Advanced EMTs or Paramedics.  All Advanced EMTs and Paramedics begin training by beoming EMTs first.

In the Columbus area, most of the EMTs are employed by fire departments and are also required to be firefighters. Delaware County EMS and the several private companies are the exception. Medflight also hires experienced paramedics for ground and flight jobs. Most of the hospitals will hire EMTs and paramedics to work as ED technicians.

To move from one state to another, one must apply to the new state for reciprocity. Each state has its own requirements that vary from simply granting a certification, to allowing an applicant to take the state's own written and/or practical exam, to requiring more training. You should contact the State EMS office for the location you're interested in directly. 

In central Ohio, the vast majority of EMS agencies are fire departments and all EMTs are required to be firefighters. In other parts of the country this varies. For example, in Cincinnati the fire department is also the EMS agency and in Cleveland the EMS agency is another arm of the city, separate and independent from the fire department. 

EMT training can be completed in one semester (EMS 1860). EMT classes meet either three or four days per week, four or five hour sessions each day, depending on the semester.  Hospital clinical and EMS field time are scheduled in addition to those class/lab times. EMTs who desire to continue on and become paramedics must complete EMS 1002, which includes the application and testing process to gain entry into the paramedic program. The paramedic program consists of six sequential courses that begin in either an Autumn or Spring semester and last until 11-12 weeks into the following Au or Sp semester of the following year.  Paramedic classes meet three days per week for four-hour sessions for the first year and reduced to one day per week in the last 11-12 weeks. There is also significant hospital and field clinical time required throughout the paramedic program.

Having an Associate degree can only improve the care you provide for the patient by improving your background in the sciences and improve your job prospects by giving you an edge over non-degreed candidates. Most of the local fire departments require at least an Associate Degree for promotion to an officer. The degree program at Columbus State is not required; however, it is highly recommended.

There are no prerequisites to EMT training, though any volunteer time with an ambulance squad or other health care experience will help. 

For paramedic training, Ohio law requires students to hold current Ohio EMT or Advanced EMT certification. You must also have completed our Paramedic Preparation Course prior to the first term of paramedic school. The Paramedic Preparation Course is offered each term.

The best advice we can give is to get experience as an EMT and take more classes at Columbus State. Both of these add points or partial points to your score for admission into the Paramedic Program and the experience is likely to improve your score on the written test.

Most of the flight services around including Medflight of Ohio require five years of ALS (paramedic) experience preferably in a busy, urban setting. They also require many additional certifications such as ACLS, BTLS, ATLS, PALS, PEPP, NRP, ABLS, CCEMT-P, FP-C, and preferably instructor certifications in some. Critical care experience either in hospital or on a transport team is also preferred.

EMTs and paramedics work as technicians in most of the emergency departments in Columbus, as well as some other units (ICU, CCU, OB). Some companies hire EMTs to perform insurance exams.  Some industries hire EMTs in a variety of safety and security positions.

Your certification comes from the State of Ohio and that is who makes all decisions on these matters. Their office number is (614) 466-9447 or 1-800-233-0785. Their website address is ems.ohio.gov .

You should contact the National Registry at (614) 888-4484 or see their website at www.nremt.org.

Click on this link www.nremt.org/rwd/public/document/recertification for the requirements to maintain your National Registry card and click on this link www.ems.ohio.gov/certifications.aspx for requirements of your State of Ohio card. Each have their own specific rules on hours and steps required for renewal.

EMS certifications are through the State of Ohio, Division of EMS.  There is a process that interested applicants must complete to have a review of the conviction history to determine if the prospective student will be able to attain EMS provider certification.  Review EMS.Ohio.Gov | Criminal Convictions and complete the process listed under Potential Applicants with Criminal Convictions required by Ohio EMS.  If this process is NOT completed and the required CSCC background check reveals a conviction, a prospective student will be asked to drop EMS 1860 and complete the process prior to continuing in the program.