EMT Program
Want to help others? Looking for a job with purpose? Consider becoming a certified EMT.
The EMT program prepares you for emergency medical care, disaster relief response, and other critical tasks involved in serving communities during need.
The EMT program can also act as a stepping stone for those interested in emergency medicine or planning on going into the medical industry such as paramedicine, nursing, respiratory therapy, and physician assistant, or just to be prepared for emergencies that life can bring.
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What You'll Learn
The Emergency Medical Technician-B course is a rigorous program designed to equip you with crucial fundamental skills and knowledge for medical emergencies, preparing you to meet the requirements for state board exams and to work as a licensed EMT.
Throughout the course, you will gain knowledge and skills in medical and trauma care, basic anatomy and physiology, and airway management. You will learn to properly assess the sick and injured, particularly in relation to communicable diseases and trauma. Practical skills covered include Basic Life Support, taking blood pressures, pulses, respiratory rates, lung sounds, complete body checks, administration of oxygen, and the use of various adjuncts to assist in managing an injured person’s airway.
Additionally, the course emphasizes the development of communication, leadership, and teamwork skills, which are essential in the field. You will engage in exercises that enhance your ability to work effectively in high-pressure situations, collaborate with peers, and lead in emergency scenarios.
Physical training is also an integral part of the program, including job-related movements, stretches, and cardio exercises. This training is designed to prepare you for the physical demands of the job, ensuring you are fit and capable of performing essential tasks such as lifting patients, carrying equipment, and enduring long hours on duty.
Please note that the EMT-B course has a heavy workload and is highly demanding. It is recommended that students do not take this course concurrently with other courses to ensure they can fully commit to the rigorous demands of the program.
Training consists of classroom instruction, lab instruction, and practical field experience (if available) in basic emergency medical services (EMS) subjects. The instructional staff comprises service professionals with many years of experience and specialized training in various topics. This course is further supported by numerous proctors and instructors dedicated to facilitating your success throughout the program.
Ready for Certification
Upon completing this course (80% or higher) in lecture and in lab course, students must also, pass the NREMT psychomotor exam that is conducted in the lab portion of the course, students will then be eligible to take the National Registry Exam (NREMT) for EMT-B. Passing the NREMT exam qualifies students to apply for a California State EMT-B certification.
Do keep in mind:
Students must be 18 years old at the time of course completion
Students should call the NREMT directly if they have any criminal history
Students must have a social security number or a DACA number (additional questions on this should be directed to the NREMT)
This course meets all the educational requirements for the certification process, as specified in Title 22 Regulations of the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority. The Lab portion of the course prepares students for the psychomotor aspect of the EMT-B scope of practice, both of which are required to obtain a course completion which includes the NREMT psychomotor exam.
Students who participate in the EMT program can obtain various certifications which most agencies use.
Those certifications include:
BLS CPR/AED for Health Providers Certification
Active Shooter (IS-907)
Introduction to the Standardized Emergency Management System and the National Incident Management System (EPO-1011)
Incident Command System (Introduction to the Incident Command System) (IS-100.C)
Incident Command System (Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response) (IS-200.C)
National Incident Management System (An Introduction to the NIMS System) (IS-700.B)
National Incident Management System (National Response Framework) (IS-800.D)
WMD/Terrorism Awareness for Emergency Responders (AWR-160)
Blue Campaign First Responder Training (IS-1152)
Ready to get started now?
Special Courses
CPR
To work toward the American Heart Association Healthcare Providers CPR Certification, choose your option:
CPR
To work toward the American Heart Association Healthcare Providers CPR Certification, choose your option:
In Class: American Heart Association CPR-BLS for the Healthcare Provider
This is a two certification course intended for those that are required to have the Healthcare Provider Course for employment or schooling. ( A course will be offered during the EMT-B course. Contact Director Roth for details).
Cabrillo College offers monthly CPR classes on campus. The content of the course teaches CPR for adult, child and infant (including ventilation with a barrier device and bag-mask device). Treatment of cardiac arrest with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and care of choking victims of all ages are also covered.
We currently do not have any scheduled CPR-BLS classes. Please check back soon!
Online: American Heart Association CPR-BLS Healthcare Provider Certification & Renewal
Anyone can take the online BLS-HCP course followed by a manikin skills test at Cabrillo College.Come prepared to demonstrate skills. Thirty minutes of practice time with skill sheets and manikins is provided prior to testing.
You must bring your on-line printed course completion certificate to the skills testing session.
Sessions are scheduled by appointment only. If you have questions or wish to schedule a manikin test call (831) 479-6468.
Off site Option: Train in Your Workplace
Our instructors also offer off site certification opportunities for small groups such as medical offices, fitness centers, and companies specializing in patient care, transport or security. Feel free to call 831-479-6468 or 831-204-5586 to discuss your training needs.
For more information, contact Leilani Roth or Michael Cutler.
Featured Careers
Well-paying, in-demand positions are available in state and federal agencies and private industry
Emergency Medical Technician
Paramedic
Nursing
Respiratory Therapist
Physician Assistant
Paramedics
Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.
Median Salary: $50,563
EMT
Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
Median Salary: $40,370
Nursing
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management.
Median Salary: $144,683
Success Stories
We have several of our previous students now working in the field locally as EMT-B's in the 911 system and Basic Life Support a.k.a Interfacility transports, Fire and Law Enforcement Agenices in and out of state.
Nate G
Living a life that has meaning has always been important to Nathan G.
“I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to do something significant with my life – something that makes a difference,” says Nathan.
Becoming an EMT has helped him reach this goal. He took the course at Cabrillo, finding it to be a “great class all around.”
“It is a well-structured, well-taught class with an experienced teacher and good equipment. I really enjoyed it.”
Nate is currently an EMT with AMR in Monterey County and plans on becoming a paramedic.
(UPDATE: 07/19/2024)
Nate just completed the paramedic program and now in his field internship.
Gabrielle R.
EMT Gabrielle R says she’s always had a drive for helping people.
“I had sick family members that I couldn’t care for and that hit me hard. This gave me the drive to complete the EMT course, and now I’m working in the field,” says Gabrielle.
Gabrielle’s goal is to be a nurse and the EMT course gave her needed experience for the field. She appreciated the material provided and how much hands-on experience she gained. She also appreciated how much preparation and advice she received about the national registration and numerous certifications.
“All of the certifications can catch people off-guard, and we received great advice as well as guest speakers who let us know what to expect when applying for jobs.”
As Gabrielle is waiting to start Cabrillo’s nursing program, she is working in Santa Clara for ProTransport 1 as an EMT. The credits she earned in the EMT program will be applied to the nursing program.
Get Started
Ready to learn more about our programs? Please fill out this quick interest form or email Leilani Roth.