Emergency Medical Care

Start your career in emergency medical care

Riverland's Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Certificate gets you ready for a career in emergency response and ambulance services, all in just one semester. You'll learn in the classroom and train hands-on, including ride-along shifts with local ambulance crews.

By the time you finish, you'll know how to respond to emergencies, care for patients, and take your first step into emergency medical services. Whether you're coming straight from high school or changing careers, there's a place for you here.

Have a question before you apply? We're here to help. Contact Admissions ›

Career outlook

Emergency medical services is a steady, in-demand field, and an aging population is expected to keep demand strong for years to come. Nationally, employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2034.² Locally, healthcare employers like Mayo Clinic Health System hire in Austin and Albert Lea, so your certificate can put you to work close to home. Becoming an EMT is also the first step on a ladder. With further training you can move up to paramedic, where the median wage rises to $58,410.¹

¹ Median annual wages, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, United States, May 2024. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
² U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, EMTs and Paramedics, 2024 to 2034 projections.

What you'll learn

• Basic life support and emergency medical care techniques
• How to assess and treat patients
• How to stay calm and respond in emergency situations
• Spanish communication skills for emergency medical settings

Program highlights

• Hands-on experience: Ride-along clinical training with local ambulance services
• Certification ready: Prepares you to take the National Registry exam, the test you pass to become a certified EMT
• A pathway forward: A strong foundation for EMT and paramedic careers

Where this can take you

As an EMT, you could work on ambulance crews, with fire departments, in hospitals and clinics, or in private medical transport. EMTs provide Basic Life Support, and with more training, Advanced Life Support (ALS). This certificate is also your starting point if you'd like to continue on to paramedic training.

A day on the job

Here's what the work often looks like:

• Providing emergency medical care in the field
• Checking and recording how patients are doing
• Helping with treatments and medical procedures
• Keeping medical equipment clean and ready to go
• Working closely as part of a healthcare team

What you'll need to get started

A couple of steps are part of becoming an EMT, and we'll guide you through each one:

• Background study: Minnesota requires a Department of Human Services (DHS) background study for EMT students. It's a standard step for healthcare roles, and we'll walk you through how to complete it. Learn about DHS background studies ›
• Ride-along hours: You'll complete a set number of patient visits during your ride-along shifts. This is real, hands-on experience that prepares you for the job.

Paying for your certificate

Riverland's tuition is among the lowest in Minnesota, and there are several ways to make it more affordable, including grants, scholarships, payment plans, and work-study jobs.

View current scholarships and deadlines ›

Last Updated: March 27, 2024