Related job titles are: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT - B), Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate (EMT - I), EMT/Dispatcher (Emergency Medical Technician/Dispatcher), or First Responder.
How Much Does an EMT and Paramedic Make? | EMT and Paramedic Salary
The median yearly salary for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics was $30,360 in May 2010 (the most recent data available). This median salary is simply the salary where half the employees earned more and half earned a lesser amount. Employees in the lower 10 percent had an annual salary less than $19,710, and those employees in the top 10 percent earned greater then $51,370.
What Does an EMT and Paramedic Do? | Job Description
Paramedic is one of U.S. News and World Report "100 Best Jobs of 2013." Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. People’s lives often depend on their quick reaction and competent care. EMTs and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. When taking a patient to the hospital, one EMT or paramedic may drive the ambulance while another monitors the patient's vital signs and gives additional care. Some paramedics work as part of a helicopter's flight crew to transport critically ill or injured patients to a hospital.
How to Become an EMT and Paramedic?
All emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics must complete a formal training program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state. In most states, an individual who has NREMT certification qualifies for licensure; in some, passing an equivalent state exam is required.
EMT and Paramedic Classes and Courses | Degree Programs
Both a high school diploma or equivalent and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification are prerequisites for most formal education and training programs. High school students interested in entering these occupations should take courses in anatomy and physiology. Formal training is offered by technical institutes, community colleges, and facilities that specialize in emergency care training.
Paramedics have the most advanced level of training. They must complete EMT-level and Advanced EMT training, as well as training in advanced medical skills. Community colleges and technical schools may offer this training, in which graduates may receive an associate's degree.
EMT and Paramedic Jobs | Who is Hiring?
Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is expected to grow by 33 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies such as car crashes, natural disasters, and violence will continue to create demand for EMTs and paramedics. Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increase in the number of age-related health emergencies, such as heart attacks or strokes. This, in turn, will lead to an increase in the demand for EMTs and paramedic services.
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