Emergency Medical Technician

Paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are required to attend to patients who may be experiencing heart attacks, respiratory distress, or other life-threatening conditions. This can happen anywhere in the community, from a home to an accident scene on the highway.

Paramedics are highly trained emergency healthcare workers who provide a wide range of skills and services in prehospital emergency medical conditions. Paramedics may also perform other functions such as triage at the scene of an accident, assisting in interfacility transports and administering emergency medication. Paramedics may provide care to patients at hospitals or other institutions by stabilizing patients until they can be sent for further care by doctors or nurses.

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians describes four categories of emergency medical practitioners:

• Emergency Medical Responders are first responders who are trained and certified to provide emergency medical care at the scene of an accident or other emergency. First responders usually handle the initial assessment and stabilization of a critical patient until more advanced professionals arrive.
• To be an EMT(emergency medical technicians), you must take an accredited course. As an EMT, you will typically get paid better than a first responder and the other jobs in this list.
• Advanced emergency medical technicians are emergency responders who have taken additional training to expand their scope of practice. They can perform interventions like tracheotomies and intubation, administer certain medications and perform endotracheal intubation.
• Paramedics are the most advanced level of EMR, trained in and capable to do invasive and pharmacological interventions. Paramedics must complete a nationally accredited paramedic program to be eligible for licensure.

Working condition

EMTs and paramedics work full time and often do shift work that includes weekends, nights and holidays. They are likely to work at 24-hour shifts. Most EMTs and paramedics work for private ambulance services, fire departments or hospitals in either urban or rural settings.

EMTs and paramedics work with other health care professionals, including nurses and physicians, as well as firefighters and police officers. Depending on a system and its coverage area, career opportunities may also exist in areas like wilderness EMS, special operations, special events, hazardous materials, industrial safety, quality management and other areas.

EMTs and paramedics are the first responders on the scene. They experience a much larger than average number of work-related injuries or illnesses, including slips, trips and falls, overexertion and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Salary Range and Outlook

With the demand for EMTs and paramedics increasing, these medical professionals can expect to enjoy good job prospects and earning potential in the years to come. The average salary for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is $31,020.

Academic Requirements

Become a paramedic! EMT courses vary in length, lasting between 120 and 150 hours. If you have an interest in becoming a paramedic, we recommend that you speak with your local community college or vocational-technical school to see what the program requirements are. The good news is that the requirements differ by state.

EMTs learn how to:

• Give CPR
• Give oxygen
• Administer glucose to diabetic patients
• Help people who are having asthma attacks or allergic reactions
• Extricate patients and prepare them for transport

Paramedics learn everything EMTs learn in addition to more advanced skills, including how to:

• Administer medications
• Start intravenous lines
• Provide advanced airway management for patients
• Resuscitate patients
• Help people who have suffered trauma

EMT courses include lectures, labs and field experience, as well as hands-on training in the various skills needed by an EMT. Paramedic school takes this basic EMT program and expands upon it to include clinical, medical and surgical management.

If you are interested in becoming an EMT or paramedic, these are the basic steps to follow:

• Meet the eligibility requirements and prerequisites for attending an EMT or paramedic course.
• Find an accredited EMT or paramedic course.
• Check with your local county and/or state Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMSA) for a list of approved courses.
• Attend and successfully complete an approved EMT or paramedic education course.
• Take and pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians EMT or paramedic computer-based exam and practical skills examination.

Accredited Programs for Paramedics

The National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) requires successful completion of an accredited program as an eligibility requirement for National EMS Certification at the paramedic level. Currently, 44 states utilize the NREMT in the state examination process for paramedic licensure. Successful completion of the NREMT exam is recognized in four states that accept National EMS Certification as an option to state-based testing. Only two states require state-based testing for initial licensure of paramedics