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Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are emergency
responders trained to provide immediate care for sick or injured
people and transport them to medical facilities. They usually work
in teams of two and may request additional assistance from the police
or fire departments.
While transporting the patient to the medical facility,
the team remains in contact with the health care team at the hospital
in order to receive special instructions and allow the hospital
to be prepared for their arrival.
At the scene of the emergency the team assesses
the individuals to determine the nature and extent of the injuries
and illnesses, while also determining if the patients have other
preexisting conditions that should be considered during treatment,
such as epilepsy or diabetes. All emergency medical technicians
may open airways, restore breathing, control bleeding, treat for
shock, administer epinephrine, administer oxygen, assist in childbirth,
treat heart attack victims using an automated external defibrillator,
and perform other basic procedures.
Emergency
Medical Technician/ Paramedic
After each run, EMTs and paramedics must replace
the supplies in the ambulance, check the equipment, and decontaminate
the interior of the ambulance if the patient had a contagious disease.
EMTs and paramedics should be emotionally stable, have good dexterity,
agility, and physical coordination. They should also be able to remain
calm and react quickly in life-or death situations. One of the major
distinctions between emergency medical technicians and paramedics
is that the paramedic conducts a more in-depth patient assessment.
Work Environment
EMTs and paramedics work both inside and outside and spend most
of their time standing, kneeling, bending, and lifting. They may
also be exposed to infectious diseases and violent behavior from
drug overdose victims. Although the work is both physically strenuous
and stressful, as many of the work days involve life-or-death situations,
those in the profession find the work very exciting, challenging,
and rewarding. Most work 50-hour weeks which may include being on-call
for extended periods of time.
Job Outlook
It is projected that the number of emergency medical technicians
and paramedics needed in Florida will grow at an annual average
growth rate of 2.4 percent (227 openings) until 2014.
Length of Training/Requirements
The EMT-Basic curriculum consists of 200 to 250 hours of classroom
instruction, skills practice in a laboratory, hospital emergency
room and ambulance experience, and a field internship. The curriculum
includes instruction and practice in handling bleeding, fractures,
airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, and emergency childbirth. The
EMT-Intermediate training consists of an additional 60 to 80 hours
of instruction. This program includes further training in patient
assessment, the use of esophageal airways, intravenous fluids, and
anti-shock garments. Training for EMT-Paramedics includes 1100 to
1500 hours of instruction and experience. The program includes classroom
instruction, clinical rotations in hospitals, a field internship
aboard an ambulance, and laboratory experience. Upon completion
of these programs, students receive certificates. A two-year associate
degree in emergency medical services technology is also available.
Students must be currently certified as EMTs before entering the
paramedic program.
Areas of Specialization
Many EMT's are also part of Technical Rescue teams, such as Extrication,
Rope Rescue, Water Rescue, etc. They may be part of an EMS, Fire,
or independent rescue team.
Advancement
Advancement beyond this point usually includes leaving the field
and becoming a supervisor, manager, administrative director, or
executive director of emergency services. An EMT or paramedic may
become an instructor, a registered nurse, a physician, or another
type of health care worker.
Updated: 2009 |
