MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• 18 years of age or older

• High school diploma or graduation equivalent

• Valid driver’s license, 2+ years of permit/licensed driving experience, and driving record acceptable to Bennington Rescue insurance

• Acceptable record on criminal background check (requirement to obtain and maintain a VT EMT license). If you have a concern about a background check issue, please contact us. Not everything on a background check exempts you from service. We can discuss your issue and put you in communication with the appropriate state officials ahead of time.

• Candidates must achieve a score of >60% in 3 or more of the core areas of the FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment (Math, Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Biology). The FISDAP study guide is available here.  Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.  Specifically with the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with English proficiency: Ability to communicate with patients and/or bystanders in English to obtain information about the events of the illness or injury, signs and symptoms of the illness or injury, history of the illness or injury, etc.  Ability to utilize computer systems to complete education programs, prepare patient care documentation, incident reports, etc.

  Ability to provide in-person or remote verbal or video reports to other EMS & public safety professionals, nurses, practitioners, physicians, etc. 

EMPLOYEE HEALTH REQUIREMENTS 

Due to the vulnerable patient and student populations Bennington Rescue works with, employee health screening, immunization history, and screening are required if an employment (paid or volunteer) offer is extended.  Requirements are subject to change - currently include:

• Proof of current immunizations or, if applicable, immunity status (titer) for influenza, TDaP, MMR, 2-step PPD, Hepatitis B (or declination), etc.

• All operations employees are evaluated on their ability to perform the following tasks: Category Requirement Test Sitting  1-3 hr/day Question Standing 3-7 hr/day Question Pinching Moderate Notebook clip 15x Manual Dexterity Gross dexterity with infrequent fine motor movement Move 24 lb weights from counter to shelves at varying heights Wrist Positions Moderate deviation Observed throughout evaluation Handedness Both hands used 67+% of day Walking  3-5 hr/day 4 mins on treadmill (3.5 mph, 10% grade) Hand Repetitions Frequent D1 & D2 patterning, 3 sets of 1 minute each side Work Level Heights 32-40” 4-6 hr, above 2-4 hr, & below 4-6 hr Bending Frequent Bend & touch toes 10x Squatting / Kneeling 3-7 hr/day Squatting/kneeling & rising no hands 10x w/foam pads under knees Lifting 20 lb 42” overhead 66 lb 30-24” 66 lb floor – 30” Lifting 20 lb kettlebell overhead 5x each side Stepping Frequent Able to step up & down from 16” step 10x Push/Pull >50 lb constant horizontal force occasional >100’ Complete 10 incline push-ups & pull-ups Carrying 50 lb 2 hand >50’ Carry 66lb box 50’ 2x

Why an apprenticeship? 

No prior training required!  Learn while you earn.

Traditionally, someone interested in becoming an EMT would need to pay out of pocket to attend EMT training then look for a job... If you are looking for work or want to change careers, that kind of money or time off may not be possible.

Apprentices solve this problem for the employee and employer. We hire the right candidates as full-time employees then we train them.  There are no normal out-of-pocket costs for the apprentices, plus you are employed with benefits!

At the end of the apprenticeship, you become a full-time EMT for Bennington Rescue.

What is the application process and timeline? 

We accept applications when an EMT class is coming soon. Hired apprentices will start a few weeks before an EMT class.  

• Applications are open through November 30, 2024.

• Preference for applicants is for candidates that: 

  • Complete our Fall Bennington Rescue Internship

  • Are already in EMT class at another education provider or have recently received NREMT certification. 

  • Remaining seats will be provided to those that have attended BRS observer shifts or have prior exposure to EMS and healthcare.

• Candidates interview with our clinical and administrative crew in December and start working .  

• After the interview, candidates chosen to proceed will take the FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment. Candidates must achieve a score of >60% in 3 or more of the core areas (Math, Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Biology) on the FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment. The FISDAP study guide is available here. 

• Hired candidates start working a few weeks after the interview process is complete and a position is offered and accepted.  .  

  • The EMT course has significant independent study homework and required in-person days.  

• Apprentices work 30-40 hours every week based on the training schedule.  None of the training time may be missed.

• Apprentices are required to serve for two years or may be required to compensate Bennington Rescue for the costs of EMT training and wages during that training.  

You will need to upload a resume or CV during the application process - there are free templates online or in Google Docs, Word, etc. if you don’t have a resume or CV already.

What is the schedule like?

EMT schedules vary both during apprenticeship and once cleared to practice as part of an ambulance crew.  

• Instruction phase: 

  • Orientation, CPR & First Responder training, and driver training occur during 

  • EMT Class takes about 15 weeks including independent study homework and in-person class days.  Time not scheduled for class activities each week you will be riding ambulance shifts (10-13 hours) or performing emergency department clinical time.  The ambulance or ED time includes days, afternoons, nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Field training phases: One you are a licensed EMT, you will be partnered with a field training officer full time and work their schedule.  This is typically three 12-hour shifts each week.  Again, these may be days, nights, and will include weekend and holiday shifts.  

After graduating apprenticeship, schedules typically are three 12-hour shifts each week and may be days, nights, and include mandatory weekend shifts.