EMT
Average starting salaries are $16.15 an hour, while experienced professionals earn an average of $21.63 an hour.
Sector: Healthcare
EMTs provide emergency medical care, transport patients to hospitals, and stabilize them on-site. They are trained to handle a variety of medical emergencies, from cardiac arrests to traumatic injuries. Additionally, EMTs often work closely with other first responders to ensure comprehensive care during critical situations.
Development Timeframe:
3-6 months for EMT certification.
Job Locations in Mississippi:
EMTs are often employed by public ambulance services, municipal EMS agencies, governments, hospitals, and fire departments throughout Mississippi.
Find Your Training Location
This is a one-semester (15 week) certificate program designed to prepare students for employment as an Emergency Medical Technician in a medical transport facility or agency. Application must be completed by July for admission to the Fall class and by November for the Spring class.
The Emergency Medical Technology program at Co-Lin prepares students for careers in the fast-paced and challenging field of emergency medicine. The college offers two levels of training: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic. EMTs and Paramedics provide immediate, life-saving care to the sick and injured.
Basic Emergency Medical Technology
Emergency Medical Technician is a one-semester instructional program that prepares individuals to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight, trained in airway management, communications, documentation, general pharmacology, hemorrhage control, ambulance operations, and splinting of adult, pediatric, and infant patients; and special care of patients exposed to heat, cold, radiation, or contagious disease. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Exam and become state certified.
Emergency Medical Technician is a one-semester instructional program that prepares individuals to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight, trained in airway management, communications, documentation, general pharmacology, hemorrhage control, ambulance operations, and splinting of adult, pediatric, and infant patients; and special care of patients exposed to heat, cold, radiation, or contagious disease. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Exam and become state certified.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
The EMT’s focus is to provide basic emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients. This individual possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide basic patient care and transportation.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
The AEMT’s focus is to provide limited advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients. Advanced EMT training consists of an additional 24 weeks of training beyond initial EMT training. Students must have a minimum ACT score of 16 and must be a Nationally Registered EMT prior to admission to the Advanced EMT program. Students who complete the Advanced EMT course will be eligible to sit for the Advanced EMT National Registry examination, qualifying them to apply for a State of Mississippi Advanced EMT Certification.
Paramedics are advanced emergency medical care responders for critical and emergent patients. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide advanced patient care and transportation. Paramedic is a three-semester (13-month) program. Students must have a minimum ACT score of 16 and must be a Nationally Registered EMT prior to admission to the Paramedic program. Upon successful completion of this training, graduates who have completed the required general education requirement will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Candidates who choose not to take the general education requirements will be eligible for a Technical Certificate. For more information, see Program Admission Information and Procedures.
Our Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course is specifically designed for you to start your path as an EMT. This one-semester course is offered each fall, spring, and summer semester as an entry-level and foundational course in emergency medical sciences. Upon completion, you will be eligible to take the EMT National Registry exam.
EMTs provide assessment, care, and transport to patients in and out of the hospital setting. They function under physician medical control direction and serve our communities, working for local ambulance services, paid and volunteer fire departments, hospitals, and other health care organizations.
This path offers training for stable career opportunities throughout Mississippi and the United States.
Industry standards are based on the National EMS Education Standards and the Emergency Medical Technician Instructional Guidelines.
Emergency Medical Technician is a one-semester instructional course that prepares individuals to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight, trained in airway management, communications, documentation, general pharmacology, hemorrhage control, ambulance operations, and splinting of adult, pediatric, and infant patients; and special care of patients exposed to heat, cold, radiation, or contagious disease. Students who complete the course are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician Cognitive and Psychomotor Exams and become state certified.
The first semester consists of the EMT course and academic prerequisites. The curriculum for the paramedic portion of the Emergency Technology Program is four semesters in length. Classes are admitted each fall and spring semester requiring a minimum of 1500 hours of classroom instruction, clinical and field internship.
The EMT-Paramedic training program is a postsecondary program drawing its students from individuals already possessing a valid EMT-Basic state certification and having Anatomy and Physiology I with lab and a grade average of C in each
Emergency Medical Science Academy
Meridian Community College houses the state’s first Emergency Medical Science Academy. This division is responsible for the delivery of all Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic courses, clinical experiences, and EMS testing at MCC. The Emergency Medical Science Academy is a comprehensive learning environment designed specifically for EMS students of all levels.
(14-week course) The EMT program provides classroom and laboratory instruction for entry level Emergency Medical Technicians following the current National DOT curriculum. Emergency Medical Technician-Basic is an instructional program that prepares individuals to function in the pre-hospital environment. The EMT-Basic program provides instruction in basic life support care of sick and injured persons. This includes airway assessment, communications, documentation, general pharmacology, hemorrhage control, ambulance operations, and splinting of adult, pediatric, and infant patients; and special care patients exposed to heat, cold, radiation, or contagious disease. This class will meet Wednesdays 10am-5pm.
Emergency Medical Sciences EMT
This course is offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters on the Harrison County, Jackson County and Perkinston Campuses. It is a single, 7-credit course that prepares individuals to function in the pre-hospital environment.
Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
The Continuing Education programs are designed to deliver quality, short-term training to those interested in a new career, preparing for the workforce, or updating current skills.
Emergency Medical Technology-Basic
Emergency Medical Technology-Basic is an instructional program that prepares individuals to function in the pre-hospital environment. The EMT-Basic program provides instruction in basic life support care of sick and injured persons. This includes: airway assessment, communications, documentation, general pharmacology, hemorrhage control, ambulance operations, and splinting of adult, pediatric and infant patients; and special care of patients exposed to heat, cold, radiation or contagious disease.
This EMT-Basic program is one semester in length, typically meets two nights a week, and is available during the fall and spring semesters at Desoto, Oxford or Senatobia campuses.
The Advanced EMT/Paramedic program requires students to hold a valid EMT-Basic certification and have Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) I and II with labs with a C or higher. A&P I is a prerequisite and A&P II can be taken during the first semester of the program. Prospective students must have an ACT composite score of 16 or higher as well. Classroom instruction is comprehensive, including a working knowledge of all body processes, as well as skill-based instruction in assessment and management skills required for the treatment of life-threatening problems in a variety of patients. Clinical internships are required in hospital settings and with ambulance services, providing real-life experience in both environments.