EMTs and Paramedics

Career Overview

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities.

Education

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state.

Future Outlook

Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, and acts of violence, will continue to require the skills of EMTs and paramedics.

Work Environment

EMTs and Paramedics typically work for ambulance services, hospitals, and the government. This often requires outdoor work, in all types of weather. It may also be physically challenging and stressful work.

Recommended High School Courses

Psychology
Communication
Science - as much as possible, including biology and psychology!
Foreign Languages

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Management of Material Resources - Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.See more occupations related to this skill.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.See more occupations related to this skill.

Treat medical emergencies.
Administer intravenous medications.
Administer non-intravenous medications.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Implement advanced life support techniques.
Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.
Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Record patient medical histories.
Teach medical procedures to healthcare personnel.
Train medical providers.

Schools

American River College

Anna Maria College

Arizona Western College

Atlanta Technical College

Austin Community College...

Bakersfield College- Pano...

Barry University

Brazosport College

Broward College

Central Arizona College

Central Texas College

Central Washington Univer...

Chippewa Valley Technical...

Cincinnati State Technica...

Clackamas Community Colle...

Clark State Community Col...

Coastal Alabama Community...

College Of Central Florid...

College Of Dupage

College Of Southern Nevad...

Columbia Southern Univers...

Columbus State Community...

Creighton University

Cuyahoga Community Colleg...

Delaware Technical And Co...

Des Moines Area Community...

Durham Technical Communit...

Eastern Florida State Col...

Eastern Kentucky Universi...

El Camino College

El Centro College- Dallas...

Everett Community College

Florida Southwestern Stat...

Forbes Road Career And Te...

Gadsden State Community C...

Georgia Piedmont Technica...

Greenville Technical Coll...

Hillsborough Community Co...

Idaho State University- M...

Iḷisaġvik College

Indian Hills Community Co...

Indiana University-purdue...

Iowa Central Community Co...

Kapiolani Community Colle...

Lake Technical College- E...

Lanier Technical College-...

Massachusetts Bay Communi...

Matanuska-susitna College

Miami Dade College- Wolfs...

National Park College

New York University

North Central Texas Colle...

Oakton Community College-...

Oregon Institute Of Techn...

Pikes Peak Community Coll...

Pitt Community College

Roane State Community Col...

South Suburban College

Suffolk County Community...

Suny At Cobleskill

Suny Broome Community Col...

Suny Dutchess Community C...

Suny Finger Lakes Communi...

Suny Hudson Valley Commun...

Suny Mohawk Valley Commun...

Suny Westchester Communit...

University Of Alaska Fair...

University Of Maryland- B...

University Of New Haven

University Of New Mexico

University Of South Alaba...

Walla Walla Community Col...

Washburn University- Inst...

Waubonsee Community Colle...

Western Carolina Universi...

Western Technical College

Cambrian College

Canadian Career Colleg...

Carlton Trail Regional...

Cts Canadian Career Co...

Durham College- Oshawa...

Fanshawe College- Lond...

Fleming College- Suthe...

Great Plains College-...

Holland College

John Abbott College

Justice Institute Of B...

Keyano College- Clearw...

Keyin College

Medicine Hat College

Niagara College- Wella...

Northern Lakes College

Portage College- Lac L...

Red River College- Not...

Saskatchewan College O...

Saskatchewan Polytechn...

St. Claire College- Ch...

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

Approx Salary Expectation

Currency:

Low End:

$23,490.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$35,400.00 /yr

High End:

$59,860.00 /yr

Related Careers

Physician (General Practitioner)

Podiatrist

Surgical Technologists

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.