Emergency medical technicians are often the first medical personnel at the scene of an accident or emergency. Lives can depend on their competence. If this is a job which interests you, then emergency medical technician schools will give you the formal training which you must have to work in this sphere. Emergency medical technician schools offer training at different levels. These are EMT-basic (or EMT-1), EMT-intermediate (Or EMT-2 and 3), and EMT-Paramedic (or EMT-4). The EMT-Basic program includes courses on treatment of wounds, fractures, bleeding, and other conditions often present in an emergency. You will also learn how to use equipment such as backboards, stretchers and oxygen systems. After graduating from an emergency medical technician schools basic program you will pass an exam set by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (or the state) to obtain your certificate. You can subsequently undertake training in more advanced medical procedures to gain Intermediate and Paramedic status. While EMT-basic will help you to your first job, you will find a greater variety of better-paid jobs if you have undertaken more advanced training. Graduates of emergency medical technician schools programs will enter a career where the job outlook is very strong, especially in densely populated urban areas. Private ambulance services will offer you most opportunities, but hospitals and local government services (such as police and fire) are also valuable sources of employment. Emergency medical technician schools training also provides a good platform from which to train for other healthcare careers.