Emergency Medical Technician

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Work Tasks

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS (EMTs) and paramedics give immediate care and transport sick or injured people to hospitals. They determine patients' condition and treat patients with minor injuries on the scene of an accident or at their home without transporting them to a hospital. They carry out treatment of more serious problems under the direction of medical doctors by radio, and then transport patients to hospital. They report their observations and actions to the staff. They replace used supplies and check equipment after the run. They decontaminate the interior of the ambulance if a patient has a contagious disease and report cases to the proper authorities.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $34,000 average per year ($16.25 per hour)
• A large occupation (241,200 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.9% per year)

Entry Requirements

Formal training and certification is needed to be an EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT) or paramedic. Training is offered at 3 levels, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. Fully qualified technicians complete all three programs. Training is offered in all states by police, fire, and health departments; in hospitals; and as a non-degree course in colleges and universities. Applicants to an EMT course must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma, and a driver's license. Training in the armed forces as a medic is also good preparation.