Emergency Medical Technology
ABOUT THE PROFESSION
People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, slips and falls, childbirth, and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. EMTs and paramedics provide this vital service as they care for and transport the sick or injured to a medical facility.
EMTs and paramedics are typically dispatched to emergency scenes, where they often work with police and fire fighters and others. Once they arrive, EMTs and paramedics assess the nature of the patient’s condition while trying to determine whether the patient has any pre-existing medical conditions. Following medical protocols and guidelines, they provide appropriate emergency care and, when necessary, transport the patient. Some paramedics are trained to treat patients with minor injuries on the scene of an accident or they may treat them at their home without transporting them to a medical facility. Emergency treatment is carried out under the medical direction of physicians.
EMTs and paramedics also provide transportation for patients from one medical facility to another, particularly if they work for private ambulance services. Patients often need to be transferred to a hospital that specializes in their injury or illness or to a nursing home.
During the transport of a patient, one EMT or paramedic drives while the other monitors the patient’s vital signs and gives additional care as needed. At the medical facility, EMTs and paramedics help transfer patients to the emergency department, report their observations and actions to emergency department staff, and may provide additional emergency treatment. Beyond these general duties, the specific responsibilities of EMTs and paramedics depend on their level of qualification and training.
Program Overview
The EMT Program at CIMS has been designed to equip trainees with the necessary knowledge and skills that will put them in the position to respond adequately to the numerous life threatening situations and conditions that all too often do arise in homes, schools, work places, roads, hospitals and clinics.
Training is offered at progressive levels: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. The EMT-Basic is a two year program which represents the first component of the emergency medical technician system. At the EMT-Basic level, coursework emphasizes emergency skills, such as managing respiratory, trauma, and cardiac emergencies, and patient assessment. Formal courses are often combined with time in an emergency room or ambulance. The program provides instruction and practice in dealing with bleeding, fractures, airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, and emergency childbirth. Students learn how to use and maintain common emergency equipment, such as backboards, suction devices, splints, oxygen delivery systems, and stretchers.
At the Intermediate level students learn advanced skills such the use of advanced airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications.
The most advanced level of training for this occupation is EMT-Paramedic. At this level, the caregiver receives training in anatomy and physiology as well as advanced medical skills. Extensive related coursework and clinical and field experience is offered. In addition to carrying out the procedures of the other levels, paramedics may administer drugs orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use monitors and other complex equipment.
Program Benefits
All graduates of the EMT program will know how to assess the emergency scene, control bleeding, apply splints, assist with childbirth, administer oxygen and perform CPR and other basic life support skills. At each level of certification, the roles and responsibilities of the EMT increase.
- An EMT I-Basic program will provide you with plenty of hands-on experience in how to perform physical exams, assess trauma, administer oxygen, perform airway maintenance and semi-automatic defibrillation, and administer medication.
- An EMT trained at this level is prepared to care for patients at the scene of an accident and while transporting patients by ambulance to the hospital under medical direction.
- Intermediate level EMT (EMT-II) is also a one year program with more advanced training which allows EMTs to administer intravenous fluids, use manual defibrillators to give lifesaving shocks to a stopped heart, and use advanced airway techniques and equipment to assist patients experiencing respiratory emergencies.
- Paramedics (EMT-paramedic) have the most training and expansive scope of authorized activities and it is a one year certificate program. EMTs administer more emergency medications and perform a wider variety of procedures
Career Opportunities
Many career opportunities exist for EMTs and Paramedics around the world. EMTs and paramedics are employed by
- Hospitals and clinics
- Fire Service
- Police Service
- Military
- Factories and Industries
- Public Ambulance Services,
- Emergency Medical Services/ Relief Organizations
- Private Ambulance Services
- As part of a helicopter’s flight crew to transport critically ill or injured patients to hospital trauma centers.
Career Advancement
- Paramedics can become supervisors, operations managers, administrative directors, or executive directors of emergency services.
- Some EMTs and paramedics become instructors, dispatchers, or physician assistants;
- Others move into sales or marketing of emergency medical equipment.
- A number of people become EMTs and paramedics to test their interest in health care before training as registered nurses, physicians, or other health workers.
Who Should Attend
EMTs and paramedics should be emotionally stable, have good dexterity, agility, and physical coordination, and be able to lift and carry heavy loads. They also need good eyesight (corrective lenses may be used) with accurate color vision.
Admission Requirements
Generally, a high school certificate is the minimum requirement to enter a training program to become an EMT or paramedic. Healthcare Professionals can also enroll.
Education and Training
Training is offered at progressive levels: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. At the EMT-Basic level, coursework emphasizes emergency skills, such as managing respiratory, trauma, and cardiac emergencies, and patient assessment. Formal courses are often combined with time in an emergency room or ambulance. The program provides instruction and practice in dealing with bleeding, fractures, airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, and emergency childbirth. Students learn how to use and maintain common emergency equipment, such as backboards, suction devices, splints, oxygen delivery systems, and stretchers.
The most advanced level of training for this occupation is EMT-Paramedic. At this level, the caregiver receives training in anatomy and physiology as well as advanced medical skills. Most commonly, the training is conducted in community colleges and technical schools over 1 to 2 years and may result in an associate’s degree. Such education prepares the graduate to take the EMT examination and become certified as a Paramedic. Extensive related coursework and clinical and field experience is required. Refresher courses and continuing education are available for EMTs and paramedics at all levels.
Advancement.
Paramedics can become supervisors, operations managers, administrative directors, or executive directors of emergency services. Some EMTs and paramedics become instructors, dispatchers, or physician assistants; others move into sales or marketing of emergency medical equipment. A number of people become EMTs and paramedics to test their interest in health care before training as registered nurses, physicians, or other health workers.
