For
contrast purposes, most people go their entire careers without making
life-and-death decisions while at work. Most emergency medical technicians
(EMTs) do it many times in a span of one day every working day of their lives. \
By
profession, EMTs are first responders in the event of medical emergencies. They
are required to respond to any medical emergency, the most common of which
includes car accidents, childbirth, violent traumas, heart attacks and
accidents.
The
EMTs are usually dispatched by emergency operators. On arriving on the scene,
they work with the other emergency personnel (fire fighters or police) to
stabilize and transport patients to hospitals best equipped to treat the
patients.
Duties and responsibilities
The
emergency medical technicians (EMTs) provide out of hospital emergency medical
care and transportation l and emergency patients who access the emergency
medical systems (EMS).
These
professionals have the basic knowledge and skills needed to stabilize and
safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical
transports to life-threatening emergencies.
They
function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system under medical
oversight. The EMTs perform interventions with the basic equipment typically
found in an ambulance. In short, they form the critical link between the scene
of an emergency and the health care system.
Becoming an EMT
A
candidate who wants to become an EMT would need first of all a high school
diploma or a GED and formal emergency training. Currently, there are three
levels of EMT certification.
The
EMT-basic covers a variety of different tasks that include dealing with fractures,
bleeding, cardiac emergencies and respiratory emergencies. In order to complete
the basic training, the applicant must need to pass the written and practical
exams given by the state.
The
EMT-intermediate training necessitates the basic training and the addition of
30 to 350 training hours. There is also need to learn to administer intravenous
fluids, some medications and be able to manage more advanced equipment.
Paramedic
is the highest level of training. The paramedics are trained, usually at
community colleges, in anatomy and physiology. In some cases, the paramedics
are awarded associate degrees for their training.
They
finish the program prepared to take the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency
Medical Technicians) to finally become a licensed paramedic.
Certification
For
applicants who seek the EMT certification
with the nationwide scope, they would need to meet the following
requirements.
They
need to successfully complete a state-approved Emergency Medical Technician
(EMT) course that meets or exceeds the standards set by the National Emergency
Medical Service Education for EMTs.
The
candidates must also complete the course within the past two years and the
course Program Director must verify successful course completion on the
National Registry website.
Likewise,
the applicant must have a current CPR-BLS for “healthcare provider” or some
equivalent credentials. He must also successfully complete the exams for the
National Registry cognitive (knowledge) and a state-approved psychomotor
(skills).
The
passed portions of the cognitive and psychomotor exams remain valid within 24
months afterwards, which depends on whether all the other entry requirements
have been met.
