Portland has a growing need for skilled emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to work in its trauma centers, hospitals, fire departments and private ambulance services. Fortunately, aspiring EMTs can choose from a variety of accredited training programs in Portland to gain the necessary skills and certification.
Overview of EMT Training
EMT programs provide training in emergency care skills like assessing patients, performing CPR, using defibrillators, handling bleeding and trauma, splinting and immobilization, and safely transporting patients. Coursework covers anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and legal/ethical issues. Programs typically include classroom lectures, hands-on skill practice, and field experiences.
The entry-level EMT certification requires approximately 130-150 hours of training and passing scores on practical and written exams. Some programs offer an accelerated format taking just weeks to complete, while others span one or two terms. Both on-campus and hybrid online/in-person programs are available in Portland.
Top-Ranked EMT Programs in Portland
Here are the top training providers offering EMT certification in Portland, OR:
1. Portland Community College
Portland Community College (PCC) offers a comprehensive EMT-Basic program at its CASCADE campus. The 10-week, 9-credit course prepares students for Oregon EMT certification. It covers all the key emergency response skills through lectures, practice scenarios with lifelike mannequins, and over 24 hours of clinical experience. PCC‘sluttmann excellent pass rates on credentialing exams.
Students benefit from small classes of under 30 learners overseen by knowledgeable instructors with field expertise. PCC also has great facilities like a simulation ambulance for performs real-world simulations. Total estimated program cost is around $1,260.
2. Portland Fire & Rescue
Aspiring firefighters or EMTs aiming to work in the city can join Portland Fire & Rescue‘s intensive 5-week EMT training. Trainees gain first-hand experience through rotations alongside PF&R paramedics on ambulances and fire engines. Graduates can apply to become City of Portland emergency responders.
The $795 program accepts just 16 candidates per session through a competitive admissions process. Applicants must pass written and physical ability tests, a background check, interviews, and medical exams. About 90% of graduates pass their National Registry exams for EMT certification on the first attempt.
3. American Medical Response
American Medical Response (AMR), the nation‘s largest EMT/paramedic employer, offers a FastTrack course to train EMTs for employment. The 3-week intensive course includes 140 hours instructor-led classroom and ambulance ride-alongs. It costs approximately $1,895.
Graduates can interview for EMT positions with AMR ambulance teams nationwide. Portland‘s AMR division alone responds to over 100,00o emergency calls per year. This creates strong job prospects for program graduates that meet AMR‘s high standards.
4. Concorde Career College
Aspiring EMTs can also consider Concorde Career College‘s EMT diploma program in Portland. It runs for approximately 36 weeks combining classroom sessions, practical labs and experience alongside paramedics on ambulances or in hospital ERs.
Course topics align with National Registry guidelines and include advanced skills like administering IV fluids and using automated external defibrillators. Graduates have an excellent EMT certification exam pass rate. The total cost is around $15,474 including registration and supplies fees.
5. Portland Community College EMT Paramedic Program
For EMTs seeking to advance their career, PCC offers a rigorous paramedic program to gain advanced life support skills. The year-long, 47-credit program expands on EMT training through 1,500 hours mixing classroom lectures, lab practice, clinical rotations, and field internships. Graduates can certify as paramedics and qualify for higher salaries and leadership roles.
Choosing the Best EMT Training Program in Portland
When selecting an EMT course, here are some key considerations:
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Program duration: Accelerated intensive programs take just weeks, while semester-long community college programs take 4+ months. Know your schedule and learning preferences.
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Cost: Community college and workplace training programs range from $800 – $1,900 on average. The diploma paramedic program at Concorde costs over $15,000.
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Hands-on training opportunities: Programs like PF&R and AMR offer invaluable experience riding alongside paramedics. Make sure your program choice matches your career aims.
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Certification exam preparation: Quality programs have strong first-time EMT exam pass rates thanks to practical skill training aligned with certification standards.
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Job prospects: Some programs like AMR feed directly into job openings upon graduation. Others allow you to apply anywhere with your EMT certification.
Next Steps After Earning EMT Certification in Oregon
Once you complete EMT training and pass the NREMT exam, there are several options to advance your career such as:
- Continuing education to enhance your prehospital care skills and maintain your license
- Gaining critical care transport or community paramedicine certifications
- Pursuing an associate‘s or bachelor‘s paramedicine degree
- Specializing as a flight paramedic or tactical EMT
- Earning Firefighter I & II qualifications to improve public safety employer prospects
- Applying for open EMT positions with employers like AMR, hospitals and fire departments
Top-notch EMT training provides a solid foundation to launch your emergency medical services career. With excellent program options available, Portland, Oregon is a great location to start your EMT journey.