CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) provide on-the-scene immediate medical care to sick and injured people.
Career Level
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Salary
National average, per year
$34,320
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
24,334
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticcs.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: May 2019
OVERVIEW
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Job Description
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) respond to 911 calls and provide on-the-scene emergency medical care to sick and injured people. Emergency situations can be stressful and EMTs must remain calm and focused so that they can assess and diagnose patients rationally and logically.
If you are considering a career in the emergency medical field, becoming an EMT is a great first step. The training programs are short and can typically be completed in less than 1 year. With some practical work experience and additional training, you can even advance to a career as a paramedic.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Job Responsibilities
Emergency medical technicians may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by job and location.
- Respond to 911 calls
- Assess the medical needs of the sick or injured person and determine treatment
- Provide CPR
- Administer oxygen
- Assist with emergency childbirth
- Stabilize broken bones
- Control bleeding
- Document patient condition and care provided
- Safely transport patients to medical facilities
- Clean, disinfect and restock ambulance
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Salary
The actual salary of the emergency medical technician can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $34,320*
National average per hour: $16.50*
- $30,451 per year, $14.64 per hour**
- $38,689 per year, $18.60 per hour***
- $32,342 to $40,130 per year****
- $29,291 per year, $14.08 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Glassdoor.com
Emergency Medical Technician Career Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being an emergency medical technician? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Ability to save people’s lives
- Develop long-lasting friendships with coworkers
- Being a respected member of the community
- Job security
- Daily work varies and can be thrilling and exciting
- Enter the job field quickly
- Opportunities for career advancement with further training
Cons
- Entry-level salary
- Can be mentally challenging
- Can be physically demanding
- May have to deal with difficult or uncooperative patients and/or family members
- Daily work can be very stressful
- Extensive paperwork
- May have to work long and irregular work shifts that can impact family life
- Can be put in potentially dangerous situations
- Potential exposure to blood, body fluids and infectious diseases
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)?
If you are considering a career as an emergency medical technician, this is the typical path you will need to take.
- Obtain a high school diploma/GED.
- Get certified in CPR through the American Heart Association.
- Complete a certificate or diploma training program in emergency medical technology. This typically takes less than 1 year to complete.
- Pass the certification exam administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) to become licensed.
Suggested Career Path
The position of the emergency medical technician is at the beginning of the medical career pathway and can be preceded by other entry-level jobs. A sample career path could look like this:
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Completion of an EMT certificate or diploma training program
- CPR Certification
Typical Work Experience Required
No work experience required to start.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by job and location.
- Ability to stay calm and focused under pressure
- Ability to identify and assess problems in emergency situations
- Understanding of basic medical-legal principles
- Compassion and the ability to provide solid emotional support to people in life-threatening situations
- Ability to work as a team
- Physical stamina
- Exceptional decision-making skills
- Exceptional critical thinking skills to assess and diagnose logically and rationally
Emergency Medical Technician Certifications
After successful completion of the EMT training program, you must pass the certification exam administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). There are 2 options available.
CPR/BLS certification is also required:
- BLS, Basic Life Support for healthcare providers (AHA)
Specialty certifications:
Click on the certifications to find out more.
Emergency Medical Technician Licenses
Licensure is required in all states. This typically includes passing a certification exam administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).
Emergency Medical Technician Training and Preparation
Once you have earned your high school diploma or GED, you can then enroll in a certificate or diploma training program in emergency medical technology. Most programs take less than 1 year to complete. The programs are available through many community colleges and vocational schools.
There are 3 levels of EMT training:
- EMT-Basic- about 150 hours of specialized training
- EMT-Intermediate- up to 400 hours of specialized training
- EMT-Paramedic- must work as an EMT first and have 2 years of additional training, resulting in an associate’s degree
Once you have successfully completed the training program, you are then required to pass your state’s certification exam, which is typically administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). You must pass this exam in order to become licensed. The exam can be very challenging and being prepared and organized can help ensure your success.
There are many ways to prepare for the exam. The NREMT website offers important test information. There are many online resources that offer practice tests, practice questions and even skills checklists that you can download and print. Flashcards and test review books are also great study tools. There are many options available online or in your local bookstore.
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