Paramedics
Allied Health Professions
Paramedics administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses in emergency situations. They respond to emergency calls, provide advanced life support including medication administration and invasive procedures, operate specialized emergency equipment such as EKGs and defibrillators, and transport patients to medical facilities while continuing care en route.
Working conditions
These professionals work for ambulance services, fire departments, hospitals, and emergency medical service organizations responding to emergency calls in varied and sometimes hazardous environments. Work involves ambulances, emergency scenes, and sometimes air medical transport, requiring shift work including nights, weekends, and holidays with exposure to stressful and physically demanding situations.
Academic requirements
This occupation requires completion of a postsecondary educational program in emergency medical technology, typically an associate degree or certificate, including extensive clinical training. State certification or licensure as a paramedic is required, involving completion of National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) paramedic certification and state-specific requirements.
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Typical salary range
$33K - 74K
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Years Higher Education
1 - 2
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Job Outlook
Very Good