Emergency Medical Technician
Quick Facts
Median Salary$42,614
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+27.56%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
An Emergency Medical Technician assesses injuries and illnesses and administers basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
Core Tasks:
- Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
- Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
- Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.
- Comfort and reassure patients.
- Communicate with dispatchers or treatment center personnel to provide information about situation, to arrange reception of survivors, or to receive instructions for further treatment.
- Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
- Decontaminate ambulance interior following treatment of patient with infectious disease, and report case to proper authorities.
- Drive mobile intensive care unit to specified location, following instructions from emergency medical dispatcher.
- Immobilize patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device.
- Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment, and replenish first aid equipment and supplies.
- Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.
- Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as stomach suction, airway management, or heart monitoring, during ambulance ride.
What to expect as an Emergency Medical Technician
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
62% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Emergency Medical Technician related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
1862 openings for Emergency Medical Technicians
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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