"Emergency Medical Technicians" in the UK

civildefence

Recently came across several courses and jobs advertised on UK websites for Emergency Medical Technicians. By the looks of it the course is only 5 days in duration but still carries an EMT qualification. Although EMT is not a state recognised qualification in the UK, surely this undermines and be-littles the EMT standard we have here and in the US, particularly affecting any EMT from here looking for work with the NHS. You simply cannot train someone to be any kind of "technician" in 5 days IMO.

Bang Bang

Five days to train and qualify as an EMT??

When I first joined the ambulance service, the EMT course was six weeks classroom then out for all your ambulance and hospital placements for another few months, and that was the very basic course back then.

I'd be weary of that one advertised in the UK.

civildefence

I think it's very unprofessional of them to call it an EMT course, god help any of the patients their "graduates" encounter.

NewGuy09

thats ridicous!
i knew education standards were low in the Uk but thats just killing yourself off slowly

civildefence

Anything below paramedic in the UK is not regulated AFAIK. For years they had Ambulance Technicians which would have had around the same level of training as an EMT but they are looking to replace these with Emergency Care Assistants who basically do the driving, lifting and loading. They get paid less too not surprisingly.

Elessar

I think that would be more akin to first responder level training. It would have to be, with 5 days! They can call it what they want.

Is there no equivalent in the UK for irish EMTs? I thought it was ambulance technician?

civildefence

Elessar wrote: »

I think that would be more akin to first responder level training. It would have to be, with 5 days! They can call it what they want.

Is there no equivalent in the UK for irish EMTs? I thought it was ambulance technician?

Ambulance Technician is being replaced with Emergency Care Assistant, which means less training and therefore less expense

TheNog

Folks,

I have edited out the company lnk in the OP's first post to avoid any possible legal reprecussions from that company. While I dont mind a general discussion about the failings of a course or courses, please do not mention any company name.

TheNog

boomer_ie

None of the UK EMT courses would come anywhere close to being similar to the current Irish EMT course, the longest EMT course ive seen in the UK is a 5 day one with a 2nd set of 5 days for an EMT-Advanced course. Needless to say the courses appear to be similar to a EFR course here with a few slight additions.