Indianapolis EMS offering paid training toward EMT certification

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis EMS (IEMS) is currently accepting applications for its next class of prospective emergency medical technicians (EMT).

The training and employment program lasts for about 10 weeks and offers participants a paid pathway to earning EMT certification.

"We are looking at it as a way to open up doorways to emergency medical careers and healthcare careers in general," Brian Van Bokkelen with IEMS said. "You don't have to worry about balancing another job and maybe a family and night school. Your job ... is going to be to go to EMT school."

Those who successfully complete the program and get the certification, participants will be transitioned into an IEMS EMT serving the residents of Marion County.

The program is available to residents with no prior EMS experience. Participants must be at least 18-years-old, have a high school diploma or equivalent and meet driver’s license requirements.

"That's what this program does — it opens up that door, it opens up that pathway to people who have really had a calling to help and to serve. When we say no experience necessary, we truly mean that. We will pay you to get the necessary experience. When we feel that you are ready and everyone's comfortable, we send you out into the world," Van Bokkelen said.

The EMT Trainee program is looking for 20-30 people for its next class.

Those interested in applying for the program must apply by July 18, with the program formally beginning Aug. 22. The application can be found online.

Van Bokkelen recently did a podcast explaining more about being an EMT and careers with IEMS.

https://soundcloud.com/eskenazihealthofficial/episode-12-indianapolis-ems?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Feskenazihealthofficial%252Fepisode-12-indianapolis-ems