Life As an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic
Occupation Description Assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and extricate trapped individuals. Transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
Life As an EMT or Paramedic
- Immobilize patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device.
- Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
- Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as stomach suction, airway management, or heart monitoring, during ambulance ride.
- Observe, record, and report to physician the patient’s condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.
- Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment and replenish first aid equipment and supplies.
- Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.
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EMT or Paramedic Skills
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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
- First Responder
- Emergency Department Technician (ED Technician)
- EMT, Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic)
- Emergency Medical Technician, Basic (EMT, B)
- Ambulance Driver-Paramedic
Job Demand 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.
EMT or Paramedic Salary
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics make between $22,760 and $58,640 a year.
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics who work in Washington, District of Columbia, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics make 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?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft operating system
How do I Become an EMT or Paramedic?
What education is needed to be an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic?
How Long Does it Take to Become an EMT or Paramedic?
Where Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
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