EMT Training & Job Opportunities
Right now is a great time to go into the EMT training and paramedic field, because while this field was formerly full of volunteers, these unpaid volunteers are now being replaced with paid professionals. If you’re considering employment as an EMT, there are some things you might want to consider.
What do EMTs and Paramedics do?
EMTs and paramedics are the people responsible for emergency medical care of people before they reach the hospital. This can be a scary and stressful job, because you are at the scene and therefore generally have less to work with than doctors and nurses do. EMTs and paramedics ascertain how badly injured the patient is and provide essential emergency care at the scene and in route to the hospital while in the ambulance.
EMTs and paramedics are contacted through 911 operators. You need to have quick reactions and a professional and caring attitude. When you arrive at the scene, you’ll need to find out the injured person’s condition and medical history as quickly as possible. You will need to provide as much necessary medical care as you can and then get them to the hospital.
You don’t have to worry that you’ll be doing all of this on your own. EMTs and paramedics generally work in pairs, one driving the ambulance while the other stays in the back and takes care of the patient. Some specially trained EMTs and paramedics work with helicopter crews as well.
When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll need to provide a report on your patient. This will include what condition they were in when you got there, what medical attention you provided, and their current condition. Once you have done that, you’ll need to get your ambulance cleaned up if necessary and replenish any supplies that you used to be ready for your next call.
EMT jobs after Proper EMT Training
There are many different types of EMTs and paramedics, along with varying levels of each. What level or kind you are will determine what kind of medical care you are legally qualified to provide. The National Registry of Emergency medical technicians (NREMT) has the following 4 levels:
- • First Responder
- • EMT Basic
- o Trained in basic cardiac, respiratory, and traumatic injury emergency care. They care for the patient on the way to the hospital.
- • EMT Intermediate
- o Have additional training on how to use defibrillators to restart a heart that has stopped, give fluids intravenously, and clear the airway using more complicated techniques and equipment.
- • EMT Paramedic
- o Trained to do everything previously mentioned and are certified to give oral or intravenous drugs, read EKGs (electrocardiograms), do endotracheal intubations, and use a bigger variety of complex equipment.
Emergency Technician Training
In order to become an Emergency Technician or paramedic, you need to complete certain basic EMT training and requirements, including the following:
• Have your high school diploma or GED
• Complete an accredited emergency medical technician program
• Complete any additional training required by the state where you live
• Have correct color vision
• Good eyesight
• Excellent hand eye coordination
• Emotional stability
• The ability to lift heavy objects
EMT training courses or EMT certification usually takes between 6 months and 2 years to complete. This wide variation is because you can choose whether you want to get a certificate, diploma or complete an associate degree program. How much training you want to get depends on what level of EMT or paramedic that you want to be. For instance, most EMT/paramedic programs to be certified on the highest level are 2-year associate’s degree programs, with extensive coursework and clinical training.
What level of training you want to get in the health care industry depends on how long you want to be in school or training. Keep in mind that the more experienced you are and the higher your level of certification, the more money you will make. If you have an EMT basic certification you won’t make as much money.
Emergency Technicians need to be certified or registered by the National Registry of Emergency medical technicians in all states. But some states have their own basic EMT training exam with the option of taking the official NRMET examination. EMTs and paramedics are required to reregister every two years to maintain their certification in the emergency medical services field.
EMT Salaries
Most EMTs make between $33,000 and $42,000 a year, though depending on where you work, you can make up to $47,000 per year. Other factors include your level of training.
Obviously, if you have the lowest level of basic EMT paramedic certification you will be paid less than someone with higher certification. If you have an EMT-Basic certification, you can expect to earn between $8.47 to $15.05 per hour or an annual income of $18,701 and $37,375.
If you have an EMT-I Certification of an intermediate EMT paramedic, you can expect a higher range of income. People who have completed intermediate level EMT training as an emergency medical technician receive an average hourly wage of $9.73 to $19.46 per hour and an annual EMT salary range of between $21,297 and $52,394.
Those individuals who have received their Paramedic Certification are the highest paid in the EMT field. Their average hourly wage is $23.77 or higher per hour. This can lead to an annual salary of over $50,000 per year.
Your salary may also be affected by your location. Research has shown that EMTs and paramedics are paid the most in major US cities. These include New York and California, although other states high on the list include Texas, Illinois, and North Carolina.
Being an EMT or paramedic can be very stressful and emotionally draining. You’re expected to spend long hours kneeling, standing, and lifting people and equipment. You have to deal with people and patients in life and death situations. Emergencies are never convenient, so you’ll likely have to work irregular hours and get used to a different sleeping schedule every week. You will likely never receive enough monetary compensation for your job to be truly worth it unless you are motivated by something other than money. If you want to care for others, if you are motivated by the need to do something that matters in your career, then a career as an EMT or paramedic might be just what you’re looking for.
