What Does an EMT Do, and What is the Yearly Salary?

In an emergency, EMTs and Paramedics are usually dispatched with a 911 operator to the scene where they frequently work together with police and fire fighters. After they arrive, EMTs and Paramedics figure out the nature of the patient’s condition while trying to determine whether the patient has any pre-existing health conditions. Following protocols and guidelines, they provide emergency care and transport the patient to a nearby hospital.

EMTs and Paramedics use special equipment, such as backboards, to immobilize patients before placing them on stretchers and securing them in the ambulance for transport to a medical facility. This work is usually done in teams. During patient transport, one EMT or Paramedic drives as the other monitors the patient’s vital signs and provides additional critical care. Some Paramedics are part of a helicopter’s flight crew to quickly transport critically ill or injured patients to hospital trauma centers.

At the medical facility, EMTs and Paramedics help transfer patients to the emergency department, report their observations and actions to emergency department staff, and could provide additional emergency treatment. After each run, EMTs and Paramedics document the trip, replace any used supplies and check equipment. If a transported patient had a contagious disease, EMTs and Paramedics decontaminate the inside of the ambulance and report cases to authorities.

EMTs and Paramedics offer transportation for patients from one medical facility to a different one, especially if they work with private ambulance services. Patients often need to be transferred to a hospital that specializes in treating their injury or illness or to a facility that provides long-term care, like nursing facilities.

Beyond these general duties, the specific responsibilities of EMTs and Paramedics rely on their degree of qualification and training. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies emergency medical providers at four levels: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate 1985, EMT-Intermediate 1999, and Paramedic.

EMT and Paramedic salaries vary depending on the state and level of training they have achieved. The nation's average salary including EMTs of skill levels is $33,020 annually. Top earners in this profession earn an average of $51,460 a year and up. There is also a great opportunity for overtime pay, as interest in EMT and Paramedic services is consistently increasing as a result of a growing and aging US population. No matter what the salary, being an EMT or Paramedic is a great way to start a thrilling career where one can help to make a positive change inside the community by saving lives!

To find out more about EMTs and Paramedics including job outlook, responsibilities, training information, and EMT salary information for all 50 U.S. states go to http://emt-salary.com.