Emergency Medical Technician

An EMT is the official name for emergency responders in the field of pre-hospital care. Often, they are the first medical personnel at the scene of an emergency. They staff ambulances and Quick Response Units, and are trained in a wide variety of emergency procedures, from splinting broken bones to averting heart attacks. An EMT may work on a paid department or may be a volunteer.

EMTs are trained to varying degrees. Police officers and many firefighters are trained to the First Responder level of technicians, which allows them to perform some basic life support functions in the field. Basic First Responders do not possess the necessary training for many advanced life support procedures. Technicians trained to the EMT-Basic standard are trained in a wider variety of medical procedures. The next levels are EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. Both of these levels represent an even greater amount of training and qualification. Paramedics represent the highest level of training in pre-hospital care, and are qualified to perform a large number of advanced life support procedures, including the administration of many specific drugs.

The salary of an EMT will depend on his level of qualification, his job location, any previous relevant experience, and other factors. First Responders often work as firefighters or police officers rather than as a dedicated First Responder, so their salaries will depend on their primary job. Some city firefighter positions require applicants to be qualified to EMT-Basic level or above, and can offer anywhere from $4,000 to $7,000 per month, depending on the state, city, and department.

Most paid EMTs can expect a salary of between $11 and $18 per hour, depending on the area and the population density of the city. If you have prior experience as an EMT, or if you have additional qualifications and certifications, this will help you possibly receive a higher starting wage. First Responders will not make as high a salary as EMT-Basics, and so on. Paramedics, not surprisingly, usually receive the highest wage. There are no real national standards for EMT salaries; your salary as an EMT will depend largely on your personal circumstances, from the amount of training you have to where you life in the country.

Not all EMTs work in paid positions. Many EMTs (including paramedics) work as volunteers, often as part of a local volunteer fire department or Quick Response Unit. These EMTs are required to be as fully qualified as those working on paid departments. In contrast to paid EMTs, volunteers usually respond to emergency calls from their personal homes, or from other jobs. They may respond in personal vehicles, or they may go to a station and respond in an ambulance or another emergency vehicle.

Volunteers may keep personal pagers and radios with them at all times, in order to be prepared to drop whatever they are doing in order to respond to the emergency call. Due to the unpredictable nature of volunteer work, it may not be appropriate for everyone. Some jobs do not allow for the flexibility required of a volunteer. Some people may not live near enough to a station to be able to respond very quickly.

However, if you live close to a fire station or Quick Response Unit station, you might consider working as a volunteer if you already have a full time job. You could opt to respond to night dispatches if you work days. If your schedule is already busy, sometimes working as a volunteer can be the best way to offer emergency medical services.

If you can keep calm under pressure in stressful situations, you may have what it takes to become an EMT. Of course, there are many skills you will need to learn, but much of the difficulty of being an EMT comes from the high levels of stress that accompany the job. It is no secret that EMTs will be witness to traumatic medical situations, including occasional death. There are no guarantees about what kind of situations an EMT will encounter, but if the EMT works in the field of pre-hospital care long enough, he will likely encounter a very wide variety of emergencies. He must be prepared to approach each of these calmly, so he can make the correct treatment decisions. People will literally be placing their lives in his hands, so it is important that he can remain in control of himself at all times.

Life between emergency calls may become rather dull for some people. For instance, EMTs on call on ambulances may have little to do during the work day in between calls. They are required to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, which requires them to be nearby the ambulance in case they are dispatched. Some days may be relatively quiet, and the EMTs may not be dispatched. This is more likely in smaller cities. Regardless, the EMT must be prepared for the inevitable “down time.” Many EMTs report that building friendships with the other workers is extremely important for these times as well as for working smoothly together during an emergency call.

It is also important to remember that those who do not work in emergency medical services may not be able to relate to the stresses of such a career. EMTs have reported that their friends outside work have a hard time understanding the difficulties and stresses that are inherent to pre-hospital emergency care. Some may not understand why the EMT desires to place himself in these situations. It is up to the individual EMT to decide how to best cope with these difficulties outside the job.

To qualify as a First Responder, a minimum of 40 classroom hours are required. This number goes up to around 140 hours for EMT-Basics, and a few hundred hours for EMT-Intermediates. Paramedics must invest well over a thousand hours into classroom time, and are required to spend time working in emergency rooms as well. Additionally, in the higher levels of certification, the EMT must perform a set number of skill techniques to pass certification. Periodically, EMTs must pass recertification classes in order to keep their skills current. Depending on their level of qualification, EMTs may be required to take only a couple dozen hours of refresher courses or much more.

Though it varies from state to state, many EMTs are required to take endorsement classes to further qualify in specific skills. These skills range from monitoring intravenous equipment, to working with airway tools, to handling cardiac rhythm monitors, to administering certain drugs. Each of these skills requires a demonstration of proficiency, in order to certify with that skill.

Different states have different requirements for EMTs. If you are interested in working as an EMT, whether in a paid position or as a volunteer, it is worth the time invested to see what the state requirements are. Although national standards exist that keep all medical technicians and technologists performing to a universal standard, different states and counties have different protocols and standing orders, shaped to fit the needs and resources of each area. Be sure to familiarize yourself with your local protocols before working as an EMT in a given area.

Different areas will also affect your salary. Bigger cities with paid departments and Quick Response Units may offer higher salaries, as much as $18 per hour and sometimes more for paramedics in larger cities. Firefighters cross-trained as EMTs will often receive a higher income as well, though it is becoming increasingly common for paid fire departments to require their firefighters to be cross-trained as EMTs.

Some cities are also known for having more instances of specific emergencies. Being forewarned of likely dangers and emergencies can help you become better prepared for these situations. Studying the population distribution charts can also help you determine what kind of patients you will likely encounter.

More and more police officers and firefighters are becoming cross-trained in emergency medical services. If you are planning on working as an emergency worker other than a dedicated EMT, consider getting cross-trained with basic life support techniques, even if it is just CPR and first aid. Many police departments require their officers to be trained as First Responders, and many fire departments (especially in larger cities) also require this. In some fire departments, where competition is stiff simply to join, being qualified as an EMT is a prerequisite. Some cities have enough competition that they can afford to accept only candidates who are qualified as Paramedics. If you are serious about pursuing a career in emergency services in these cities, it is best to receive as much training as possible. Being trained to the highest degree possible will increase your likelihood of getting a high-paying job.

Some jobs outside of emergency medical services also look favorably on EMT experience. Employers in construction, for instance, may give preference to EMTs due to the inherent risks in construction. Some jobs in the Forest Service (especially wild land firefighting) may also have a preference for candidates with emergency medical experience.

The nature of the work of an EMT has some inherent risks. Many departments require their EMTs to have specific vaccinations, especially against Hepatitis A and B. EMTs can be susceptible to the common cold or flu, especially if they encounter patients with these diseases. It is imperative that proper precautions are taken, such as appropriate body substance isolation (BSI), which includes disposable gloves and masks.

At times, EMTs may encounter unstable individuals at the scene of an emergency. It is usually appropriate for police officers to secure a potentially dangerous scene before medical technicians are sent in to begin treating patients, but sometimes police officers are not on scene. The EMT must use his best judgment about when to enter a scene and begin treating the patient, and when to stand off until the scene is secure. Your own personal safety is paramount—you should never sacrifice your own safety in an emergency situation. If you are injured or otherwise incapacitated, you will be unable to help the patient, and your fellow EMTs will have to devote their energy to helping you as well as the original patient.

Your safety and the safety of your coworkers also depend on your ability to keep yourself healthy outside of your work. A lifestyle that involves heavy drinking or drug use may not be compatible with emergency medical services. Since the heavy stress that may accompany this career has been known to lead EMTs to self-destructive lifestyles, it is important for you to understand your own warning signs that the stress may be too much. Help is always available if you require it, whether from coworkers and friends or from professionals.

The job of an EMT is not easy, but is one that many find inspiring and challenging. If you have a desire to work in a setting where you can render a needed public service, becoming an EMT might be the right step for you. The work can be dangerous and stressful, but many EMTs report that they love their work.

The public image of EMTs is one of respect and admiration, generally speaking. This image is not without merit, but it the responsibility of EMTs, regardless of their level of experience or where they work, to conduct themselves with professionalism at all times. Providing emergency medical service to the public is a great responsibility, and if you are considering a career as an EMT, be encouraged that you are taking part in an honorable and respected tradition of pre-hospital care.