Chance are, you’re here because you are interested in potentially pursuing a career as an EMT. But before you do so, you want to get an idea of the EMT job description, and with all the reason. Emergency medical technicians, commonly known as EMTs, are individual who assist those who injured, ill, and require some sort of treatment. In other words, they are generally the first ones on the scene when 911 receives a call that someone is injured or ill, and requires medical attention. Typically, two EMTs work together in one ambulance during a shift. One will be either an EMT-I or an EMT-B, and the other will be a paramedic, the highest level of certification. Paramedics are the “head honchos” due to the fact that they have extensive training as oppose to EMT-B’s and EMT-I’s. Regardless, EMTs at all three levels play a crucial role in saving the lives of people on a day to day basis. The titles of the certification levels merely determine pay and various responsibilities, but at the end of the day, all EMTs have one common goal, and that is to help the ill and injured, and to save lives.
EMT Job Description at a Glance
Though EMTs have various roles and responsibilities, they are generally responsible for arriving on the scene (where an injury, illness, or accident is reported), assisting the individual(s) who require medical assistant, and figuring out the quickest route to transport the individual(s) to a hospital. Thankfully, GPS devices have made the transportation process much, much easier nowadays, and this ultimately leads to patients receiving medical help much quicker.
Now, let’s take a more in depth look at what exactly it is that EMTs do on a daily basis:
Assessing the Patient
When EMTs arrive on the scene, the first responsibility they have is to examine the patient and determine their condition. What is the injury/illness? How serious is the injury/illness? Are they in critical condition? These are just a few of the questions that EMTs will work to answer. They will need to quickly determine if the patient has an underlying medical condition, which can be quite challenging in cases where the patient is unresponsive and unable to communicate. They will also need to determine whether or not the individual is currently taking any medications, as certain medications cannot be administer to the patient if they are already taking others.
Life Support
This is certainly one of the most important parts of the EMT job description. EMTs must provide life support to the individual, and the type of life support will vary on a case by case basis. The EMTs must determine what sort of life support is mandated. Methods of life support may include the use of a defibrillator, CPR, or airway management.
Further Patient Care
In more severe cases, EMTs will have to begin taking further steps to care for the patient prior to them arriving at the medical facility. These cases include, but are not limited to, when the patient is bleeding excessively, has gone into shock, or has severe wounds.
Communicating with the Dispatcher
EMTs will need to contact the dispatcher to update them if there any changes that will require additional help (additional EMTs, fire department, etc.).
Maintaining the Ambulance
It is absolutely necessary for the ambulance to be sanitary (the inside), and this is the sole job of the EMTs. They must ensure that all necessary supplies are available in the ambulance prior to departing for their shift.
EMT Training
In order to become an EMT, individuals must complete a state accredited training program, and complete a state administered exam. In order to be eligible to enroll in a training program, individuals must meet the requirements set by the state. Visit EMT Training State Requirements for more information.
Risks Faced by EMTs
EMTs face a number of risks on the job, ranging from physical injury, to diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis. Nonetheless, if adequate safety precautions are taken by EMTs, the chances of contracting such diseases are very slim, and documented cases are rare. Proper EMS gear must be worn, which includes gloves, masks, and so forth. These are tools that should be in stock inside all ambulances.