What are the duties of an EMT paramedic?

I'm interested in becoming an EMT paramedic after high school. Can someone explain what their day-to-day job tasks are like? I'd love to know more about what this career involves.

An EMT Paramedic, which is the highest level of EMT, has various responsibilities and duties, often dealing with emergencies where life-saving decisions need to be made rapidly. Here's what a typical day might involve:

1. Response to Emergency Calls: EMT Paramedics are first responders to medical emergencies. They often work in ambulances and are dispatched to respond to emergency calls.

2. Patient Assessment: Upon arrival, the paramedic's main duty is to assess the condition of the patient quickly and accurately. This may involve considering the patient's symptoms, checking vital signs, and asking questions about the situation leading up to the emergency.

3. Initial Treatments: Based on their assessment, they'll provide immediate on-site treatment, which could range from CPR and defibrillation for cardiac arrest patients, to administrating IV fluids, and medications, or performing advanced airway management.

4. Communication and Coordination: Paramedics communicate with other professionals such as police, firefighters, nurses, and doctors. They also report their findings and update on patient status to the receiving hospital staff.

5. Transportation: Paramedics have to safely transport the patient to a medical facility while stabilizing their condition and providing required medical care. Sometimes they need to drive the ambulance, but usually, there's another EMT for driving and the paramedic focuses on patient care.

6. Documentation: Like all healthcare roles, paramedics have administrative duties, such as writing patient care reports to record the incident and treatment provided, which are often used for billing and medical records.

7. Equipment Maintenance: A paramedic ensures that all medical supplies and equipment are restocked after calls and that the ambulance is kept clean and tidy. It's essential to ensure they're ready for the next emergency.

8. Continuous Learning: The field of emergency medical care is constantly evolving. As a result, EMT paramedics typically engage in continuous professional development to learn about new treatment protocols and techniques through training programs.

Keep in mind, that the work of an EMT paramedic can be highly stressful and physically demanding due to the unpredictable nature of emergencies and the need to make swift decisions under pressure. The ability to handle such pressure, coupled with a profound sense of empathy and strong communication abilities, is essential to excel in this job.