Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.
You’ll need to be able to inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care, treat medical emergencies, analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals, collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment, drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment, treat medical emergencies, administer intravenous medications, administer non-intravenous medications, collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment, and implement advanced life support techniques.
Annual Wage
Entry - $22,827
Mean - $30,496
Experienced - $34,331
Hourly Wage
Entry - $11
Mean - $14
Experienced - $17
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.
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies EMTs and paramedics at the national level. All levels of NREMT certification require completing a certified education program and passing the national exam. The national exam has both written and practical parts. Some states have first-level state certifications that do not require national certification.
All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state. In most states, an individual who has NREMT certification qualifies for licensure; in others, passing an equivalent state exam is required. Usually, an applicant must be over the age of 18. Many states require background checks and may not give a license to an applicant who has a criminal history.
Although some emergency medical services hire separate drivers, most EMTs and paramedics take a course requiring about 8 hours of instruction before they can drive an ambulance.
There are 17,400 projected job openings in the US this year & jobs are expected to grow rapidly!
