John Rose Oak Bluffs on the Different Types of EMTs

An emergency medical technician (EMT) provides medical attention to injured or sick individuals outside of a hospital. They respond to emergency calls and transport individuals to health facilities. Many EMTs operate out of ambulances and are directed to the scene of an emergency by dispatchers. They also care for symptoms, trauma, and illnesses by stabilizing individuals during transport to a medical center.

An EMT might provide their services in situations as varied as natural disasters, home emergencies, and car accidents, says John Rose Oak Bluffs.

Different types of EMTs

Here are different types of EMT paths you can pursue:

EMT basic

An emergency medical technician (EMT-B) is a trained professional who typically responds to medical emergency calls. These calls include providing effective and immediate medical care to those critically sick or injured on-site and during the ambulance ride. They also have to drive the patient to the nearest healthcare facility.

In addition, EMT-Bs may perform basic life support for conditions including severe bleeding and cardiac arrest. Some equipment they use includes electrocardiographs (EKGs), defibrillators, and backboards.

EMT intermediate

Intermediate EMTs perform similar duties using mostly the same equipment as EMT-Bs but may have more advanced training, notes John Rose Oak Bluffs. Their advanced training can include using airway devices and intravenous (IV) medications effectively.

The skills and duties of EMTs may vary from state to state, so research your state’s requirements.

EMT paramedic

An EMT paramedic is the most advanced level of the occupation, notes John Rose Oak Bluffs. They perform tasks similar to the first two levels and provide complete care before the patient reaches the medical facility. Paramedics can also administer IV and oral medication to patients. They can also perform intubation processes and complete EKGs.

Paramedics have different requirements depending on their state. In general, an advanced EMT must earn an associate degree from a community college and complete their coursework in four semesters. After that, they can obtain their certification through the NREMT. The certification can last two to three years and often requires continuing education.

Skills of EMTs

EMTs need to have several skills to be successful. A primary skill that is required is the ability to make quick and accurate decisions. According to John Rose Oak Bluffs, since EMTs work in life-or-death situations, making the right decisions quickly is crucial.

Additional EMT skills to develop include:

Communication

EMTs interact with different people daily, often in stressful situations. Communicating is critical because they receive and share vital information. They also coordinate with other medical specialists and first responders. Good interpersonal communication skills can help an EMT succeed when working as a part of a team.

Compassion

An EMT needs to show empathy and compassion when working with individuals in physically and emotionally stressful situations. Having compassion allows EMTs to help support and comfort their patients.

Physical strength

Often, a person working as an EMT has to perform physical tasks requiring strength, coordination, and stamina. For instance, an EMT may lift a patient from the ground or contort their own body to reach an individual stuck in a vehicle or trapped under debris.

For more insights on mental health and PTSD in firefighters and first responders, follow this John Rose Oak Bluffs page.