Did you know the first few minutes of medical attention can be more crucial than the main treatment itself? While the ER doctors play a big role, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is crucial in the first moments of distress.
Few jobs save lives as frequently as those of Emergency Medical Technicians. From the moment someone calls 911 until the handing over of the patient to hospitals, EMTs have a host of crucial tasks to perform.
It is easily one of the most rewarding jobs, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Want to know what becoming and being an EMT looks like? Read on for information about the job.
What Does It Take to Be an EMT?
There are four levels of EMTs, and each requires a different degree of certification. The first level is Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), which requires licensure and completion of the EMR training program.
Level 2 is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), for which you must finish an accredited EMT course. Completion of the Advanced EMT course is necessary to be a level 3 EMT.
The fourth level is Paramedic. With each level, the complexity of the job and duty increases, making the paramedic’s job the most complex in pre-hospital emergency care. One has to complete a nationally accredited Paramedic program.
Apart from certificates and training, you need other vital skills, such as crisis management, interpersonal skills, quick judgment, and emotional strength. These skills are essential for tackling emergencies.
Additional Skills
Driving and the ability to lift weights are also necessary since you might need to drive the ambulance and carry people.
Working as an EMT: Duties
Hospitals, fire departments, private ambulance services, and other rescue operations hire EMTs. Typically, the job requires you to answer emergency calls and reach the place of incident fast.
Then, you must evaluate the patient’s condition, provide emergency care, document information, transport, and hand over the patient to the hospital.
Maintaining a clean and well-equipped ambulance and decontaminating it after carrying every patient is also the duty of EMTs. The common cases faced by EMTs are road accidents, childbirth, suicides, assaults, and disaster rescues.
Also Read: Job Description – Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Average Pay and Hours
According to a survey, the median pay for an EMT is $37,040 per year. Pay increases with qualifications, skills, and experience.
Pay also varies from state to state. According to ZipRecruiter, EMTs in New York are paid the highest, with an average of $15.78 an hour.
The work hours and terms of work of an EMT vary widely. Some organizations offer fixed 8-10-hour shifts. On the other hand, some jobs require you to be on-call for 24 hours, followed by 24 hours off.
While working long shifts might look like a stretch, many EMTs enjoy the long breaks that follow.
How to Become an EMT
EMT is the easiest medical position, as you don’t need a college degree. You can do EMT training after getting a GED or High School diploma.
Following the training, you must sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam, which is conducted in two parts: a written or cognitive exam and a practical exam.
The states have their own rules regarding licenses. Many states issue licenses once you successfully clear NREMT, while others may require additional testing.
The demand for EMTs and paramedics is increasing 6% faster than the demand for other jobs. So, once you obtain an EMT license, finding a job isn’t difficult. You can find job opportunities on many online platforms, such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and UCHealth.
Conclusion
EMTs are frontline workers who play a crucial part in the health care system. You can start as an EMT and learn your way into becoming a paramedic. Nothing can be more rewarding than being able to save lives for a living.