Life As an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic
Job Description: Assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and extricate trapped individuals. Transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
EMT or Paramedic Responsibilities
- Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
- Communicate with dispatchers or treatment center personnel to provide information about situation, to arrange reception of victims, or to receive instructions for further treatment.
- Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.
- Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
- Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures under a physician’s direction.
- Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment and replenish first aid equipment and supplies.
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Qualities of an EMT or Paramedic
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Medical Technician
- EMT, Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic)
- EMT/Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic)
- First Responder
- EMT-P
Job Outlook for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
There were about 248,000 jobs for Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 15.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 37,400 new jobs for Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic by 2026. The BLS estimates 19,400 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for EMT or Paramedic are Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of an EMT or Paramedic ranges between $22,760 and $58,640.
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics who work in Washington, District of Columbia, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $30,260 |
| Alaska | $47,780 |
| Arizona | $38,260 |
| Arkansas | $31,800 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $42,320 |
| Connecticut | $46,890 |
| Delaware | $40,730 |
| District of Columbia | $57,270 |
| Florida | $35,790 |
| Georgia | $33,950 |
| Hawaii | $54,370 |
| Idaho | $37,960 |
| Illinois | $41,940 |
| Indiana | $34,040 |
| Iowa | $35,760 |
| Kansas | $30,520 |
| Kentucky | $31,430 |
| Louisiana | $36,930 |
| Maine | $34,170 |
| Maryland | $49,490 |
| Massachusetts | $41,570 |
| Michigan | $33,720 |
| Minnesota | $42,460 |
| Mississippi | $33,310 |
| Missouri | $34,560 |
| Montana | $33,020 |
| Nebraska | $33,130 |
| Nevada | $36,240 |
| New Hampshire | $38,390 |
| New Jersey | $37,460 |
| New Mexico | $35,660 |
| New York | $44,120 |
| North Carolina | $36,200 |
| North Dakota | $32,680 |
| Ohio | $32,200 |
| Oklahoma | $33,020 |
| Oregon | $42,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $33,980 |
| Rhode Island | $40,070 |
| South Carolina | $34,570 |
| South Dakota | $32,360 |
| Tennessee | $36,600 |
| Texas | $36,620 |
| Utah | $33,870 |
| Vermont | $34,290 |
| Virginia | $35,310 |
| Washington | $67,600 |
| West Virginia | $30,690 |
| Wisconsin | $34,780 |
| Wyoming | $34,120 |
What Tools do Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft operating system
How to Become an EMT or Paramedic
What education or degrees do I need to become an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic?
What work experience do I need to become an EMT or Paramedic?
Who Employs Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics?
The table below shows the approximate number of Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics employed by various industries.
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
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