What does an EMT Paramedic do?

I'm curious about what EMT Paramedics actually do on a daily basis. I know it involves emergencies, but I'm interested in the specific tasks they handle and what skills are important. Is it a good career straight out of high school?

EMT paramedics (Emergency Medical Technicians) play a critical role in emergency healthcare. Their main job is to provide emergency medical care and transportation for critically ill or injured patients. On a daily basis, their specific tasks often include responding to 911 calls, assessing patient conditions, performing life-saving interventions like CPR or applying AEDs, administering medications, and safely transporting patients to medical facilities. They constantly interact with other healthcare professionals, like doctors or nurses, to communicate patient information and care provided.

Key skills for EMT paramedics often include physical strength and dexterity, as they might need to lift or move patients. They also must have strong problem-solving abilities to make quick decisions under pressure. An EMT Paramedic needs to be detail-oriented to accurately assess and treat patients while also recording patient information, interventions performed, and patient response. They also need good interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with patients and families during extremely stressful times.

Becoming an EMT Paramedic does require specific education and training beyond high school. These typically include at least a high school diploma, completion of an EMT-Basic certification (which can take several weeks to a few months), and additional training for advanced EMT or paramedic certification, which can be one to two years of additional training. This additional training often includes specific courses in advanced life support techniques, anatomy and physiology, as well as clinical experiences in a hospital or ambulatory setting. Paramedics also need to pass a national exam to become certified.

In terms of it being a good career straight out of high school, it's possible to start the EMT-Basic training while in high school or immediately after. It can provide a way to get into the healthcare field more quickly compared to many other jobs. However, keep in mind that it's a demanding job with irregular hours, high stress levels, and physical demands. It's important to consider these aspects while deciding if it is the right path for you.