|
Home Personal & Pro Medical / Health Supplies Footwear, Podiatric & Lower-Body Health Products for the Physically Challenged |
OVERVIEW Emergency medical technicians, often called EMTs, respond to medical emergencies to provide immediate treatment for ill or injured persons both on the scene and during transport to a medical facility. They function as part of an emergency medical team, and the range of medical services they perform varies according to their level of training and certification. There are approximately 172,000 emergency medical technicians employed in the United States. HISTORY American systems for providing emergency medical services and transport to hospitals did not receive much attention until the 1960s. Prior to that time, ambulance drivers and attendants were often volunteers who had undergone some first-aid training. The quality and quantity of their instruction and experience varied widely, as did the medical equipment they had available in their vehicles. By current-day standards, much of the nation’s initial ambulance service was deplorable. A major milestone was the federal Highway Safety Act of 1966, which included, for the first time, uniform standards for emergency medical services. Another important piece of federal legislation was the Emergency Medical Services System Act of 1973, which authorized funds for research and training. In addition, this act also made money available for organizing regional emergency medical systems. In 1970, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) was formed. Today, NREMT is an independent agency that establishes qualification levels for EMTs, determines the competency of working EMTs through examination, and offers educational and training programs to promote the improved delivery of emergency medical services. NREMT provides uniform national certification for qualified EMTs who wish to be included in the National Registry. In 1971, the U.S. Department of Transportation published a national standard basic training course to increase the competence of ambulance personnel. By 1977, all the states had adopted the Department of Transportation course, or a close equivalent, as the basis for state certification. Now, more than 600,000 individuals have taken this basic training course. THE JOB EMTs provide on-site emergency care. Their goal is to identify rapidly the nature of the emergency, stabilize the patient’s condition, and initiate proper medical procedures at the scene and en route to a hospital. Communities often take great pride in their emergency medical services, knowing that they are as well prepared as possible and that they can minimize the tragic consequences of mishandling emergencies. EMTs are sent in an ambulance to the scene of an emergency by a dispatcher, who acts as a communications channel for all aspects of emergency medical services. The dispatcher may also be trained as an EMT. It typically is the dispatcher who receives the call for help, sends out the appropriate medical resource, serves as the continuing link between the emergency vehicle and medical facility throughout the situation, and relays any requests for special assistance at the scene. EMTs, who often work in two-person teams, must be able to get to an emergency scene in any part of their geographic area quickly and safely. For the protection of the public and themselves, they must obey the traffic laws that apply to emergency vehicles. They must be familiar with the roads and any special conditions affecting the choice of route, such as traffic, weather-related problems, and road construction. Once at the scene, they may find victims who appear to have had heart attacks, are burned, trapped under fallen objects, lacerated, in labor, poisoned, or emotionally disturbed. Because people who have been involved in an emergency are sometimes very upset, EMTs often have to exercise skill in calming both victims and bystanders. They must do their work efficiently and in a reassuring manner. EMTs are often the first qualified personnel to arrive on the scene, so they must make the initial evaluation of the nature and extent of the medical problem. The accuracy of this early assessment can be crucial. EMTs must be on the lookout for any clues, such as medical identification emblems, indicating that the person has significant allergies, diabetes, epilepsy, or other conditions that may affect decisions about emergency treatment. EMTs must know what questions to ask bystanders or family members if they need more information about a patient. Once they have evaluated the situation and the patient’s condition, EMTs establish the priorities of required care. They administer emergency treatment under standing orders or in accordance with specific instructions received over the radio from a physician. For example, they may have to open breathing passages, perform cardiac resuscitation, treat shock, or restrain emotionally disturbed patients. The particular procedures and treatments that EMTs may carry out depend partly on the level of certification they have achieved. People who must be transported to the hospital are put on stretchers or backboards, lifted into the ambulance, and secured for the ride. The choice of hospital is not always up to the EMTs, but when it is, they must base the decision on their knowledge of the equipment and staffing needed by the patients. The receiving hospital’s emergency department is informed by radio, either directly or through the dispatcher, of details such as the number of persons being transported and the nature of their medical problems. Meanwhile, EMTs continue to monitor the patients and administer care as directed by the medical professional with whom they are maintaining radio contact. Once at the hospital, EMTs help the staff bring the patients into the emergency department and may assist with the first steps of in- hospital care. They supply whatever information they can, verbally and in writing, for the hospital’s records. In the case of a patient’s death, they complete the necessary procedures to ensure that the deceased’s property is safeguarded. After the patient has been delivered to the hospital, EMTs check in with their dispatchers and then prepare the vehicle for another emergency call. This includes replacing used linens and blankets; replenishing supplies of drugs, oxygen, and so forth. In addition, EMTs make sure that the ambulance is clean and in good running condition. At least once during the shift, they check the gas, oil, battery, siren, brakes, radio, and other systems. REQUIREMENTS High School While still in high school, interested students should take courses in health and science, driver education, and English. To be admitted to a basic training program, applicants usually must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma and valid driver’s license. Exact requirements vary slightly between states and training courses. Many EMTs first become interested in the field while in the U.S. Armed Forces, where they may have received training as medics. Postsecondary Training The standard basic training program for EMTs was designed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is taught in hospitals, com munity colleges, and police, fire, and health departments across the country. It is approximately 110 hours in length and constitutes the minimum mandatory requirement to become an EMT. In this course, you are taught how to manage common emergencies such as bleeding, cardiac arrest, fractures, and airway obstruction. You also learn how to use equipment such as stretchers, backboards, fracture kits, and oxygen delivery systems. Successful completion of the basic EMT course opens several opportunities for further training. Among these are a two-day course on removing trapped victims and a five-day course on driving emergency vehicles. Another, somewhat longer course, trains dispatchers. Completion of these recognized training courses may be required for EMTs to be eligible for certain jobs in some areas. In addition, EMTs who have graduated from the basic program may work toward meeting further requirements to become registered at one of the two higher levels recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: EMT-intermediate and EMT-paramedic. Certification or Licensing All 50 states have some certification requirement. Certification is only open to those who have completed the standard basic training course. Some states offer new EMTs the choice of the National Registry examination or the state’s own certification examination. A majority of states accept national registration in place of their own examination for EMTs who relocate to their states. At present, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians recognizes three levels of competency: EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate, and EMT-paramedics (or EMT-Ps). Although it is not always essential for EMTs to become registered with one of these three ratings, you can expect better job prospects as you attain higher levels of registration. Candidates for the basic level of registration, known as EMT-basic, must have completed the standard Department of Transportation training program (or their state’s equivalent), have six months’ experience, and pass both a state-approved practical examination and a written examination. The EMT-intermediate level of competency requires all candidates to have current registration at the basic EMT level. You must also have a certain amount of experience and pass both a written test and a practical examination. To become registered as an EMT-paramedic, the highest level of registration, candidates must be already registered at the basic level. They must have completed a special EMT-P training program, have six months of experience working as an EMT-P, and pass both a written and practical examination. Because training is much more comprehensive and specialized than for other EMTs, EMT-Ps are prepared to make more physician-like observations and judgments. The training program for EMT-Ps is accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association. EMT-Ps must renew their registration every two years by meeting certain experience and continuing education requirements. Refresher courses are available to help EMT-Ps stay abreast of new techniques and equipment. Other Requirements Anyone who is considering becoming an EMT should have a desire to serve people and be emotionally stable and clearheaded. You must inspire confidence with levelheadedness and good judgment. You must be efficient, neither wasting time nor hurrying through delicate work. Prospective EMTs need to be in good physical condition. Other requirements include good manual dexterity and motor coordination; the ability to lift and carry up to 125 pounds; good visual acuity, with lenses for correction permitted; accurate color vision, enabling safe driving and immediate detection of diagnostic signs; and competence in giving and receiving verbal and written communication. EXPLORING Students in high school usually have little opportunity for direct experience with the emergency medical field. It may be possible to learn a great deal about the health-services field through a part-time, summer, or volunteer job in a hospital or clinic. Such service jobs can provide a chance to observe and talk to staff members concerned with emergency medical services. High school health courses are a useful introduction to some of the concepts and terminology that EMTs use. You may also be able to take a first-aid class or training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Organizations such as the Red Cross can provide information on local training courses available. EMPLOYERS EMTs are employed by fire departments, private ambulance services, police departments, volunteer emergency medical services squads, hospitals, industrial plants, or other organizations that provide pre hospital emergency care. STARTING OUT A good source of employment leads for a recent graduate of the basic EMT training program is the school or agency that provided the training. You can also apply directly to local ambulance services, fire departments, and employment agencies. In some areas, you may face stiff competition if you are seeking full-time paid employment immediately upon graduation. Although you may sometimes qualify for positions with fire and police departments, you are generally more likely to be successful in pursuing positions with private companies. Volunteer work is an option for EMTs. Volunteers are likely to average eight to 12 hours of work per week. If you are a beginning EMT without prior work experience in the health field, you may find it advantageous to start your career as a part-time volunteer to gain experience. Flexibility about the location of a job may help you gain a foothold on the career ladder. In some areas, salaried positions are hard to find because of a strong tradition of volunteer ambulance services. Therefore, if you are willing to relocate where the demand is higher you should have a better chance of finding employment. ADVANCEMENT With experience, EMTs can gain more responsibility while retaining the same job. However, more significant advancement is possible if you move up through the progression of ratings recognized by the NREMT. These ratings acknowledge increasing qualifications, making higher paying jobs and more responsibility easier to obtain. An avenue of advancement for some EMTs leads to holding an administrative job, such as supervisor, director, operations manager, or trainer: Another avenue of advancement might be further training in a different area of the health care field. Some EMTs eventually move out of the health care field entirely and into medical sales, where their familiarity with equipment and terminology can make them valuable employees. EARNINGS Earnings of EMTs depend on the type of employer and individual level of training and experience. Those working in the public sector, for police and fire departments, usually receive a higher wage than those in the private sector, working for ambulance companies and hospitals. Salary levels typically rise with increasing levels of skill, training, and certification. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, median annual earnings of EMTs and paramedics were $22,460 in 2000. Salaries ranged from less than $14,660 to more than $37,760. For those who worked in local government the median salary was $24,800; in hospitals, $23,590; and in local and suburban transportation, $20,950. Benefits vary widely depending on the employer hut generally include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and pension plans. WORK ENVIRONMENT EMTs must work under all kinds of conditions, both indoors and out doors, and sometimes in very trying circumstances. They must do their work regardless of extreme weather conditions and are often required to do fairly strenuous physical tasks such as lifting, climbing, and kneeling. They consistently deal with situations that many people would find upsetting and traumatic, such as deaths, accidents, and serious injuries. EMTs usually work irregular hours, including some nights, week ends, and holidays. Those working for fire departments often put in 56 hours a week, while EMTs employed in hospitals, private firms, and police departments typically work a 40-hour week. Volunteer EMTs work much shorter hours. An additional stress factor faced by EMTs is concern over contracting AIDS or other infectious diseases from bleeding patients. The actual risk of exposure is quite small, and emergency medical pro grams have implemented procedures to protect EMTs from exposure to the greatest possible degree; however, some risk of exposure does exist, and prospective EMTs should be aware of this. In spite of the intensity of their demanding job, many EMTs ‘derive enormous satisfaction from knowing that they are able to render such a vital service to the victims of sudden illness or injury. OUTLOOK Overall, this industry is expected to grow much faster than the aver age for all occupations through 2010. However, the employment outlook for paid EMTs depends partly on the community in which they are seeking employment. Many communities perceive the advantages of high-quality emergency medical services and are willing and able to raise tax dollars to support them. In these communities, which are often larger, the employment outlook should remain favorable. Volunteer services are being phased Out fl these areas, and well- equipped emergency services operated by salaried EMTs are replacing them. In some communities, however, particularly smaller ones, the employment outlook is not so favorable. Maintaining a high-quality emergency medical services delivery system can he expensive, and financial strains on some local governments could inhibit the growth of these services. Communities may not be able to support the level of emergency medical services that they would otherwise like to, and the employment prospects for EMTs may remain limited. Another important factor affecting the outlook is that the pro portion of older people, who most use emergency medical services, is growing in many communities, placing more demands on the emergency medical services delivery system and increasing the need for EMTs. FOR MORE INFORMATION For industry news and government affairs, contact American Ambulance Association 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300 McLean, VA 22102 Tel: 800-523-4447 For educational programs and scholarship information, contact National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians PO Box 1400 Clinton, MS 39060-1400 Tel: 800-346-2368 Email: info@naemt.org For information on testing for EMT certification, contact National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Rocco V. Morando Building PO Box 29233 6610 Busch Boulevard Columbus, OH 43229 Tel: 614-888-4484 Next: Histologic Technicians Prev.: Electro-neuro-diagnostic
Technologists |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||