ochiegan

You can't cut corners in training for a field that requires skill. EMT is both mental and physical. You can't gain the knowledge and skills with just 2 days of OJT.

Right now, I have an OJT who came from CHEERS. And based from my pre-employment exam, I just couldn't take them in as probationary staff yet. I now accept graduates of CHEERS not because they are skilled already, but because I feel sorry that they had to pay so much for nothing. I'm not the type of person who bash on other people but I am truly dismay by what happened to these nurses. I am giving them OJT for free because I really feel that they were cheated. And from what my OJT told me, the renewal for AREMT is Php 10,000. I'm actually advising them to just take the course again from another training school. It'll be more beneficial in the long run.

it's not that they are better, but eventually, the government will be pushing for TESDA certified EMTs. just like with PRC, if you are a BSN, you have to take the board in order to be recognized to practice. EMT is not a post-graduate course... sorry to those who believe that it is. it is actually a vocational course... hence.... it is under TESDA.

yup. i guess that's me i know lsti is great and all, but just like in colleges... not because you didn't get to study in UP... you'll just jump over the cliff. dr. * and dr. *are great. and they are teaching in several schools.

emt-B is around 8 weeks. then you need OJT hours before moving to emt-D, which is around 2 weeks. but after that... i don't know if LSTI has added any program.

i'd choose pemfri over cheers. although cheers has aremt, pemfri has a larger orificenal of heavy duty instructors. another group that's great is rescue one. it's made up of the gods and goddesses of ems in the philippines. but their training is on hold awaiting the result of the ems bill in the senate. i hear that doc ted is now doing lecture at bright. always ask the emt school if they have consultants from the philippine college of emergency medicine (PCEM).

oops... my last reply should be for Dee, not Ron.... my bad

to chuku, you will actually get paid more as an ER nurse than as an EMT. that's why many EMT in the US continue their studies to become nurses. it's only in the philippines that we do things in reverse. it's more of the economy of job availability. if you really want to become an ER nurse, i would suggest investing more on ACLS, ATLS, PALS and IVT. that will give you a better edge inside the ER. also, finishing an MSN won't hurt. oh, and after getting snobbed by middle east, i landed a job as a university professor here in the philippines. but i now have my own ambulance company. to ron, finishing EMT-B will already qualify you to land a job in the ambulance. but if you want to become a big fish, taking the next higher level will be your key. in the philippines, we don't have emt-P. i'm not sure if we even have a credible emt-I or A. that's where the RN-EMT's get the edge.

it depends on your long term plan. if you want to stay in the hospital ER, then no need to take EMT. however, if you plan to work in the pre-hospital setting like the ambulance service or as a company safety officer, then i'm sure you'll be able to get some new tricks from the course.

i have been an emt for 11 years. even before i got all my other degrees. and i got it from the only training center back then (i.e. lsti). i was the number 1 in the batch and I hold other professional license, but you know.... i didn't get accepted as an emt in the middle east because i am female. your RN will suffice if you plan to stay in the middle east. besides, it's safer for women to be in the hospital. EMT can wait later if you are really bent on taking it at lsti. also, everyone is also anxiously waiting for the outcome of the senate bill. i hope it works for the better.