Overview

People's lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Paramedics have additional advanced training to perform more difficult pre-hospital medical procedures. Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, drownings, childbirth, and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. EMTs and paramedics provide this vital attention as they care for and transport the sick or injured to a medical facility.

To learn more, watch the video profile of "Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics."

You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:

Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic 19 Oct 2010 [pdf, 144 KB]

Working Conditions

EMTs and paramedics work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. They are required to do considerable kneeling, bending, and heavy lifting. These workers risk noise-induced hearing loss from sirens and back injuries from lifting patients. In addition, EMTs and paramedics may be exposed to diseases such as Hepatitis-B and AIDS, as well as violence from drug overdose victims or mentally unstable patients. The work is not only physically strenuous, but also stressful, involving life-or-death situations and suffering patients. Nonetheless, many people find the work exciting and challenging and enjoy the opportunity to help others.

Typically EMTs and paramedics earn an average salary of $24,000 to $30,000 per year.

To meet an EMT/Paramedic and find out what it's like to work in this field, see the NIH "Lifeworks" Website.

NOTE:

This overview has been reviewed and approved by the National Association of EMS Educators.