What Does A Paramedic Do?

What exactly does a paramedic do and what is the nature of the job? Every day people find themselves in medical emergencies. Their lives depend on the quick reaction and competent care of paramedics. Heart attacks, slips, falls, childbirth, and gun shot wounds are all daily emergencies that the paramedic may find themselves involved in. Paramedics arrive on the scene to provide vital medical services and transportation to the hospital.

In the event of a medical emergency, paramedics are dispatched by a 911 operator. Once they arrive, they will be working with fire fighters and police officers. Paramedics have to assess the nature of the victim or patient’s condition. They determine if there are any pre-existing illnesses or allergies.

By following strict guidelines and protocol, the paramedics are able to provide emergency care and transportation to a medical facility. Special equipment is used in servicing patients. This includes stretchers and backboards that help immobilize the injured from the scene of the emergency into the ambulance. Paramedics generally work in teams, with one person driving while the others care for the patient. During the transport, paramedics will be monitoring the patient’s vital signs and give additional assistance as needed.

Some paramedics even work as part of a flight crew in a helicopter. Once the ambulance arrives at the hospital or medical facility, the paramedics help transfer the patient to the emergency room. They report their observations and assessments to the doctors and nurses there. They may also provide additional medical assistance as needed. After each run, the paramedics document the entire trip. Supplies and equipment will be replaced and the ambulance truck will be disinfected and cleaned. If a patient has a contagious disease, the paramedics have to decontaminate the interior of the ambulance and report this to the proper health department.

Paramedics may also provide transportation for those who are elderly or need to be taken from one medical facility to another. A paramedic may find themselves picking up an elderly person from a convalescent home to a hospital or clinic. At other times, the paramedic may be transporting the patient to a hospital that specializes in treating their particular injury or illness.

The emergency medical services workers depend on their level of training and qualifications. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is a federal agency that certifies paramedics. There are five different levels of service providers in the emergency medical services industry.

Ÿ  First responder

Ÿ  EMT-Basic

Ÿ  EMT-Intermediate 99

Ÿ  EMT-Intermediate 85

Ÿ  Paramedic

Each state will have their own certification criteria and will use their own distinct titles for these levels. The earnings for emergency medical technicians depend on the training and experience of the paramedic. The median hourly wage for paramedics in 2008 was reported to be approximately $14.10. The middle 50 percent of earned anywhere from $11.00 to $20.00 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.00 an hour and the highest percent earned more than $23.00 an hour. The emergency medical services industry is a booming field and is shown to grow as much as the average for the next ten years.

Job prospects for paramedics should be favorable and many openings are bound to arise from the growth the industry is experiencing. There are many workers who leave the occupation because of the limited potential for advancements. Also, the modest pay has many desiring to go into other career fields. It is becoming more and more difficult for medical service agencies to recruit and retain volunteers. Therefore, paid paramedics will need to be hired to replace the increasing lack of volunteers.