Career Profile: Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics

Emergency Medical Technicians and ParamedicsEMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, which is subdivided
are necessary parts of emergency care ininto 1985 and 1999, and Paramedic. EMT-Basic is
hospitals, and represent a fast growingthe lowest level, and paramedic is the highest.
employment opportunity in one of America's onlyEmergency Medical Technicians with Basic
remaining growth industries. Though EMTs andcertification are allowed to provide transport, care
Paramedics work strange hours, they arefor the patient at the scene of the accident and
responsible for the expedient and educated careduring transit, and is trained to manage conditions.
of people in need.Basic level EMTs, like the other levels, are allowed
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedicsto maintain respiratory and cardiac function during
are the first people on the scene for immediatean emergency, and are also qualified to deal with
medical attention to events like accidents, gunshottrauma, like broken bones. The next level, EMT
wounds and heart attacks. They provide on siteIntermediate, requires more education and training
care, attempt to stabilize the patient andin order to perform more complicated
transport to a medical facility.procedures, as dictated by state law.
Paramedics and Emergency Medical TechniciansEMT-Paramedics have the highest level of
usually work in concert with other 911 dispatchededucation of Emergency Medical Technicians. They
servicemen, like firefighters and policemen. Whencan administer medication, use equipment and can
called, EMTs and paramedics are responsible forperform procedures.
analyzing the situation and attempting to stabilizeEmergency medicine is a strenuous line of work.
the patient. They do primary diagnostic work,EMTs need to be physically prepared for the
determining the nature of the present conditionposition, and should be able to life heavy loads and
and checking for any existing medical problems,perform additional demanding tasks as well, in rain
then transport the injured party to a hospital,or shine. Because of the strange hours and
where emergency room doctors take over.inhospitable conditions, work as an EMT is not
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedicsrecommended for the faint of heart. Furthermore,
begin their education with a high school diploma.paramedics and technicians need to be able to
Workers must attend a training program, but domake rational decisions quickly in order to save a
not need a college degree to enroll. All stateslife. Anyone interested in the field should be
require training and education, but the amount ofcomfortable with the responsibility for a person's
each varies by region.life.
Employers are most likely to hire EMTs andEMTs and Paramedics who work in the public
Paramedics with higher levels of experience, andsector, rather than pursue employment through a
advanced certifications. The National Registry ofprivate hospital, typically earn a better wage and
Emergency Medical Technicians is the largesthave better benefits. The average EMT earns
provider of certifications, though some states alsoapproximately $30,870 a year, as reported in
offer private programs. In general, the certification2007.
is divided into five stratum: First Responder,