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Western MA Fast Facts

Education Requirements: Certificate

Hampden County:

  • Number of Workers: 450
  • Average Wage: $21.86/hour

Franklin/Hampshire

  • Number of Workers: 90
  • Average Wage: $22.00/hour

Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics, May 2025, EOLWD

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 (EMTs)

Providing Critical Pre-Hospital Care and Safe Transport

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care and safe transportation for patients experiencing critical or emergent medical conditions. As front-line providers in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, EMTs are trained to assess, stabilize, and manage patients during a wide range of situations—from non-urgent medical transports to life-threatening emergencies.

EMTs operate under medical oversight as part of a comprehensive emergency response team. They use basic life support (BLS) equipment and procedures typically found in ambulances and play a vital role in bridging the gap between the scene of an incident and the broader healthcare system.

Adapted from the National EMS Scope of Practice Model

🚑 What EMTs Do

Emergency Medical Technicians are trained to:

  • Assess a patient’s condition and determine appropriate care
  • Provide first aid and life-support interventions, including CPR, bleeding control, and airway management
  • Transport patients safely in ambulances to medical facilities
  • Communicate effectively with emergency department staff to ensure seamless patient handoff
  • Document the care provided and observations made during transport

🏥 Where EMTs Work

EMTs are in demand in a variety of healthcare and public safety settings, including:

  • Ambulance services (private and public)
  • Fire departments and municipal emergency response agencies
  • Local and county government agencies
  • Hospital emergency departments
  • Disaster response and rescue teams

🎓 Education and Training Requirements

To become an EMT, individuals must:

  • Complete a state-approved certificate training program (typically 120–150 hours)
  • Demonstrate competency in both classroom and hands-on settings
  • Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or equivalent state certification exam

No college degree is required; however, strong foundational knowledge in science and communication is beneficial. Certification must be maintained through continuing education and periodic renewal.

💡Skills and Qualities for Success

Successful EMTs demonstrate:

  • Compassion: The ability to provide emotional reassurance to patients and families in distress
  • Interpersonal Communication: Team-oriented professionals who collaborate with law enforcement, nurses, and fellow EMTs
  • Listening Skills: Attentive listeners who can accurately interpret patients’ symptoms and concerns
  • Physical Stamina: Capable of lifting, kneeling, and performing physically demanding tasks under pressure

🔄Related Career Pathways

Updated: May 19, 2025

MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board

1441 Main Street, First Floor
Springfield, MA 01103
413-233-9856

The MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities, Verizon Telephone Relay Service: TDD/TTY: 1-800-439-2370 Voice: 1-800-439-0183