Are you looking for a job as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)? The industry is extremely competitive and it can be difficult to get hired, especially if you have little or no experience. Here are 5 things you should know for your EMT interview that will put you ahead of the curve and help you get the job.

1. Hospitals

• Know the name, location and catchment area for each of the following:
1. Base hospitals
2. Trauma centers
3. Burn centers
4. Hyperbaric facilities
• When should you contact base hospitals?
• Know the qualifying criteria for trauma centers, burn centers and hyperbaric facilities.

2. Protocols

• Have a good working knowledge of your protocols (adult/pediatric) for each type of emergency.
• When can you apply restraints? What’s the difference between soft (medical) and hard (behavioral) restraints?
• Know your interfacility transfer (IFT) protocols. For example, if you arrive at the ER to transport a patient and the nurse gives pain medication, do you have to wait before transporting? If so, how long?

3. Practical Skills / General EMT Knowledge

• You should be dialed on your pratical skills as these are the fundamentals of being an EMT. Be prepared to be tested during the interview process.
• Have a strong understanding of the following:
1. Anatomy
2. Common medications
3. Normal vital signs
4. Signs and symptoms of common illnesses
5. How to triage using START

4. CPR Guidelines

• Know the current CPR guidelines. Are there any differences between witnessed/unwitnessed, adult/pediatric, and one or two-person CPR?

5. Cardiac Anatomy

• What are the major components of the heart?
• You should be able to trace the blood flow through the heart.

Visit the EMT Jobs page to find employment opportunities in your area.