As an EMT, you will run IFTs only at Care for the first 6 months or year I believe. I have friends that work at McCormick and they like it a lot, I know a supervisor there and he speaks highly of the management (ie very forward thinking, up to date with new rigs and equipment). Schaefer's 911...
rest the patients arm or elbow on your knee, and get your heel off the floor (so you're toe is on the floor but you're still sitting), this allows bumps in the road and what not to somewhat be dampened. It's a trick someone showed me once, you could try it and decide for yourself if it really works.
It depends on you're company's policy, and your county protocol. Most private ambulance companies will require any 5150 pt to be restrained and this is mostly for the safety of you as the transporting attendant, as well as the fact that the 5150 hold does not allow the patient to refuse...
I agree with the above responses. There wouldn't be much to do as far as short classes that you could take within a 2 week time frame as far as EMS is concerned. Continuing education classes wouldn't do you much help seeing as you don't have EMT yet. You could take BLS/CPR but you may have that...