EMT Training in Iowa
EMT training in Iowa is required if one expects to not only become a nationally registered EMT, but a state certified one. EMT training programs must be state approved. Before you apply to a program, however, here are a few requirements you must meet:
· EMT students in IA must be 18 years old or older. They also must be able to show proof of a high school diploma or a GED.
· Must have a valid driver’s license.
· Must be able to read at a 10th grade level or higher. Prospective students are sometimes asked to provide placement scores (from tests such as ASSET or COMPASS or ACCUPLACER, which test one’s academic skills in English, math, and reading).
· Must have CPR certification and maintain it throughout the duration of the program.
· EMT students will need to show proof of the following vaccinations: Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccination/Illness, Hepatitis B Vaccination Series, and Tuberculosis Testing. You will likely also need the Tdap vaccine to protect against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Petrussis; Chicken Pox (vaccinated 2 shot series or positive titer); a negative Chest X-ray (within the last 12 months) and a Flu shot (within the last 12 months).
· Must undergo a drug test and submit to a criminal background check.
EMT Courses in Iowa
During an EMT course in Iowa, students will learn the necessary skills to provide prehospital emergency medical care at a basic life support level. Once the course is successfully completed, students will be able to recognize the significance of a patient’s injury and assess the requirement needed for emergency medical care.
Students will also learn to administer proper emergency medical care based on a patient’s condition, as well as lift, position, or move a patient to limit pain and prevent additional injury.
Schools and Programs
Below, please click on a school to get admissions information on their healthcare programs:
Des Moines Area Community College – Ankeny Campus
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
2006 S Ankeny Blvd
Bldg #24, Room 113B
Ankeny, IA 50023
Eastern Iowa Community College
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
101 West 3rd St
Davenport, IA 52801
Hawkeye Community College
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
1501 East Orange Rd
Waterloo, IA 50704
Indian Hills Community College
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
525 Grandview Ave
VCTC Bldg
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Iowa Central Community College
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
One Triton Circle
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Iowa Western Community College
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
2700 College Rd
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Kirkwood Community College
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
928 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309-1239
Northeast Iowa Community College
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
8342 NICC Drive
Peosta, IA 52068
Southeastern Community College
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
1500 West Agency Rd
West Burlington, IA 52655
University of Iowa Health Care
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
200 Hawkins Drive
S-608 GH
Iowa City, IA 52242
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Program
4647 Stone Ave
Sioux City, IA 51102
EMT Classes: Curriculum in Iowa
An EMT student in Iowa who has completed an EMT training course is expected to have a firm understanding of the following:
· The Human Body
· EMT-Basic Pharmacology
· Respiratory and Cardiac Emergencies
· Emergency Childbirth/Pediatric Emergencies
· Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues in EMS
· Bleeding and Shock Management
· Environmental and Behavioral Emergencies
· Epinephrine Auto-Injector
· Trauma Patient Assessment
· Airway Management
· Obstetrics and Gynecological Emergencies
· Soft Tissue Injuries
· Musculoskeletal Injuries
· Head, Neck and Spine Injuries
· Vital Signs
· Infants, Children, Adolescents and Old Patients
· Lifting and Moving Patients
· Diabetic Emergencies
Becoming an EMT in Iowa
Once you have successfully completed your EMT-Basic course, you will then be able to apply for national certification by taking the NREMT exams. National EMT certification requires students to successfully complete both a cognitive (computer adaptive test) and psychomotor exam (skills test).
The NREMT-B practical exam is a state approved exam and will be given through state recognized EMT training programs. If you have any questions about EMT testing, training, or certification in Iowa, be sure to contact:
IA Department of Public Health – Bureau of EMS
401 Southwest 7th, Suite D
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 725-0322
When you become a nationally registered EMT, you can then apply for State of Iowa certification, which will grant you permission to practice in the state.
EMT Salary in Iowa
To read more about EMT salary in Iowa, along with the annual income of paramedics and flight paramedics, be sure to visit our article entitled Paramedic Salary in Iowa.