Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

Emergency Medical Technicians provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life threatening emergencies. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight. Emergency Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. Emergency Medical Technicians are a critical link between the scene of an emergency and the health care system. [From the: National EMS Scope of Practice Model]

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

• Assess a patient’s condition and determine a course of treatment
• Provide first-aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured patients
• Transport patients safely in an ambulance
• Transfer patients to the emergency department of a hospital or other healthcare facility

Employment opportunities can be found in

• Ambulance services
• Local government including cities and town
• Medical and surgical hospitals

Education and training requirements

A certificate (non-degree) training program is required to become an emergency medical technicians.  All EMTs are required to pass a certification exam.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are also expected to have

• Compassion. EMTs must be able to provide emotional support to patients in an emergency, especially patients who are in life-threatening situations or extreme mental distress.
• Interpersonal skills. EMTs work on teams and must be able to coordinate their activities closely with others in stressful situations.
• Listening skills. EMTs need to listen to patients to determine the extent of their injuries or illnesses.
• Physical strength. EMTs need to be physically fit. Their job requires a lot of bending, lifting, and kneeling.