MOHAVE COUNTY – People interested in the medical field can be a part of Emergency Medical Services or become a Medical Assistant, working in clinics or physicians: offices.
Mohave Community College offers for Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic. These programs are a great start for those who would like to work for EMS agencies, fire departments or hospitals.
Kristina Long, Director of EMS has 30 years of experience under her belt and says its rewarding work and can obtain certifications in one year at MCC.
“It takes a special person to do the pre-hospital side of emergency services it takes an independent thinker that can make good decisions and can operate without a lot of oversight.” Long said.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for EMTs and paramedics was $35,300 in May 2019. About 280,000 jobs are expected to be available for EMTs and Paramedics between 2018-2028 because car crashes or natural disasters will need the skills that an EMS professional carry.
The Medical Assistant program is another way to be an allied healthcare worker. The program offers three certificates that can be completed in one year – Medical Assisting, Medical Coding and Billing, and Phlebotomy. The program also offers a two-year degree in Healthcare Information Technician. Those who completed the paramedic program in 2019, 100% of students were placed in jobs.
“If you think you know healthcare is where you want to work starting to take those first classes like medical terminology or allied health anatomy gives you your route for what you want to do.” Long said.
