How Can One Become An EMT?

Working as an emergency medical technician can be a very rewarding experience. Every day, people’s lives depend on the fast reaction of an emergency medical technician or paramedic. The incidents are varied and can include slips, falls, childbirth emergencies, gunshot wounds, car accidents, drowning, heat strokes, just to name a few. In an emergency, emergency medical technicians and paramedics are usually dispatched by a 911 emergency operator. When the emergency medical technicians arrive at the scene of the emergency, they may work with fire fighters and police officers. They are required to assess the patient’s condition and discover any pre existing medical conditions, such as allergies. Through following guidelines and protocols, the EMTs provide care and transportation to a medical facility. The paramedics and emergency workers operate in a system that is supervised by a physician or doctor.

Paramedics and EMTs also use special equipment, such as stretchers and backboards to move patients before placing them in the ambulance. The professionals usually work in teams. One emergency technician may drive while one or two others provide additional medical care to the injured patient. They may monitor vital signs and give medications. Some emergency medical workers are part of a flight crew on a helicopter as well.

Once the emergency workers arrive at the hospital or medical facility with the patient, they help transfer the patient to the emergency room. There they give a report about their observations and actions to the staff. They may also provide additional medical assistance if required. After each run, the emergency medical technicians have to document the trip. They also will need to replace the supplies in the truck and check the equipment to be sure it is in working order. If a transported patient has a disease that is contagious, then the EMTs have to decontaminate the ambulance truck and clean it. They also have to make a report to the proper authorities.

The emergency technicians provide transportation for the patients from one hospital to another, especially if they work for an ambulance company that is private. Sometimes patients have to be transferred to a hospital that specializes in treating their particular injuries. They may also be transferred to a long term facility, such as a nursing home for the elderly. Beyond these duties, the emergency workers will also be required to do other things, depending on their level of education and skills. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians will certify emergency medical service professionals at five different levels. The first level is known as First Responder. The next is known as EMT-Basic, then EMT-Intermediate 85, EMT-Intermediate 99, and paramedic. Some states will have their own distinct names and titles for the levels, but they will be of a similar nature.

The EMT-Basic level represents the first responder in the emergency medical system. The professional that is trained at this level will be prepared to care for injured patients at the scene of an accident and during the transportation phase by the ambulance. The professional will be trained to have the necessary skills to assess a patient’s condition and to be able to manage the cardiac, trauma and respiratory conditions that he may encounter.

The EMT-Intermediate level has more advanced training involved. The specific tasks that those professionals perform will depend on the state that they live in.  The last and most advanced level is known as paramedic. Paramedics provide more extensive pre-hospital assistance than the traditional emergency medical technicians.

You can search online for more information on getting your training as an emergency medical technician. There are also local community colleges that offer training programs. Be sure that whatever training program you chose is state approved and accredited. Your state will require you to only attend schools that are approved in order to qualify for the state examination.