Now is the time to become an EMT; Final chance to sign up for March 28 class
RN/EMT Tyler O’Neill ... Now is the time to become an EMT! Classes start March 28 and are held in-person, in Waukon at a reduced rate of only $400, which are all advantages to previous classes. Tyler O’Neill, RN/EMT took the EMT class during college to help his medical career and earn money at the same time. “I took the EMT class through NICC the summer after my first year of college. I decided I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, and I figured this would be a good way for me to get experience and make a little money while going through college. This experience set me up really well for my career as a nurse. I really love working in EMS. It is a great way to give back to the community and help others in their time of need. Working as an EMT is a great part-time job as well because most small services are paid on-call. This means you can be at home and working on other things while also getting paid an on-call wage. I encourage everyone to take the EMT class as you never know when someone may need your expertise to help save a life.” Submitted photo.
EMT Ben Ghelf ... After becoming a dad, Ben Ghelf of Lansing decided to take the EMT course and has been an active EMT for almost five years. “I had done very minimal babysitting when I was younger and realized that I really wasn’t sure what to do if he would choke or get injured. After taking the course, it sure has helped with raising both boys. I would recommend anyone to take the class. Becoming an EMT isn’t about a paycheck, it’s about making a difference in people’s lives, no matter how small. I know it will make a difference in your own life. It has in mine.” Submitted photo.
EMTs are greatly needed in every community. Northeast Iowa Community College Business and Community Solutions will be offering an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course in Waukon beginning March 28. This 138-hour course will conclude the end of July.
This will be an in-person class held right here locally in Waukon, which is a huge advantage to students attending versus taking an online class. NICC has received a grant to cover 70 percent of the tuition for this course so generous tuition assistance is available, keeping the class costs under $400, which is another huge advantage.
“I took the EMT class through NICC the summer after my first year of college. I decided I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, and I figured this would be a good way for me to get experience and make a little money while going through college,” explains Tyler O’Neill, RN/EMT. “This experience set me up really well for my career as a nurse. I learned a lot about the medical field through EMS that helped make nursing school a little easier. The knowledge I learned is also very helpful in my current role as a nurse. I currently work part-time in the ER and on the ambulance at VMH as well as the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service. I also work full time at St. Luke’s in Cedar Rapids as a critical care float nurse in the ER and ICU.”
“I really love working in EMS. It is a great way to give back to the community and help others in their time of need. Working as an EMT is a great part-time job because most small services are paid on-call. This means you can be at home and working on other things while also getting paid an on-call wage. It was really helpful while going to college because I was able to study, learn about the medical field first-hand, and get paid, all at the same time. I encourage everyone to take the EMT class as you never know when someone may need your expertise to help save a life.”
This next class that begins March 28 will include an introduction to emergency medical services systems, roles and responsibilities of EMTs, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting, and providing patient transportation. The class will meet two nights per week, from 6-10 p.m. each night, and clinicals will be held in-person. Students who successfully complete this class will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification examination. With this certification, individuals are able to volunteer on their own community’s ambulance service or rescue squad, as well as be prepared for careers in emergency services.
Ben Ghelf of Lansing has been an active EMT on their service for nearly five years. “I chose to take the class back in 2017 after the birth of our first son, Johnathon. I had done very minimal babysitting when I was younger and realized that I really wasn’t sure what to do if he would choke or get injured,” explains Ben. “After taking the course, it sure has helped with raising both boys who can be rambunctious, to say the least.”
“I can really see how I have been able to help in the community by taking scheduled shifts and responding to the calls when needed. Several of us on the Lansing service were presented with an award after a life-saving call. Being on Lansing’s EMS service, we have 12-hour shifts, a day shift and a night shift.
This allows me to send our scheduler dates and times that I can dedicate to the service and still be able to be at home with my wife and our two boys. This also allows us to plan time away if we would like to visit family we have outside of town, run errands or take the day to go to the pool or the trampoline park.”
“I would recommend anyone to take the class,” adds Ben. “Becoming an EMT isn’t about a paycheck, it’s about making a difference in people’s lives, no matter how small. I know it will make a difference in your life. It has in mine.”
This class does need a minimum number of participants in order to be held and that number has not yet been met. For more information, contact Jacob Dougherty, Paramedic, EMS Supervisor, or Cheryl Livingston, Paramedic, Class Instructor, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
