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Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medical technicians (EMT) are often the first qualified medical personnel to arrive at the scene of an
emergency. They respond to emergency situation such as near drownings, fires, cardiac arrest, automobile accidents
and other trauma, incidents. Since these situations usually occur away from a hospital or clinic, EMTs must work
under the direction of a physician through radio communication.
EMTs are trained in recognizing a medical emergency, assessing the situation and in managing the emergency care.
This includes the ability to determine-the nature of and extent of the patient's illness or injury and initiate
appropriate medical care Emergency medical care may involve administering cardiac resuscitation, restoring
breathing, controlling bleeding, treating for shock, immobilizing fractures, assisting in childbirth, or giving
initial treatment to poison and burn victims. Using special equipment and techniques, EMTs may also have to
extricate trapped victims.
The EMT is responsible for operating the emergency vehicle safely and efficiently and for maintaining continued
medical care to the victims while in radio communication with the emergency department en route to the hospital.
The EMI must also transmit medical records and reports of each emergency to the hospital staff for their diagnostic
purposes. The EMT must be alert and quick thinking, especially in crucial situations.
| Some of the other responsibilities might include: |
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Establishing priorities and determining procedures to be followed for giving emergency first aid and for using correct tools
and techniques to free trapped victims |
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Looking for medical identification emblems indicating diabetes, epilepsy or other conditions |
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Requesting additional help, such as special rescue and utility services |
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Covering patients, placing them on a stretcher, and lifting them into the ambulance |
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Transferring patients from the ambulance to the hospital |
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Reporting observations orally and in writing |
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Maintaining a clean, well-equipped ambulance |
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Teassuring patients and bystanders |
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Creating a safe traffic environment |
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Working with various public safety agencies |
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Conducting first aid training programs for the general public |
| There are three classifications of EMT: |
EMT-Basic
is trained in basic life support and is certified to perform specific pre-hospital duties in emergency situations.
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Certified EMT-Intermediate
provides the same care as the EMT-Ambulance, but because of additional training may also assess trauma patients, administer
intravenous therapy, use antishock garments and airway maintenance equipment.
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Certified EMT-Paramedic
is the more highly trained technician who is qualified (subject to state law) to administer drugs, both orally and intravenously,
and operates morecomplicated equipment in an advanced life-support ambulance such as a defibrillator to shock a stopped heart into
action.
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Job Outlook
EMTs are expected to continue to be in demand as states continue to improve their emergency medical systems.
Educational Requirements
Training courses are available for all three levels of EMT. The basic national standard EMT training course is a
100-hour program, offered throughout the country by police, fire and health departments; hospitals; and colleges
and universities. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a high school graduate or the equivalent, possess a
valid driver's license, and be physically and emotionally capable to meet the rigors of the profession.
The training course for the EMT-Intermediate includes the same basic training course as the EMT-Basic, but includes
some of the EMT-Paramedic courses which cover patient assessment and use of the Esophageal Obturator Airway,
intravenous fluids and antishock garments. Training courses for the EMT-Paramedic include 600-1000 hours of
intensive classroom and clinical training.
Graduates of approved EMT training programs, with the required amount of work experience, are qualified to take the
written and practical certification examination sponsored by the National Registry of Emergency Medical
Technicians. All states have some form of certification requirements. Recommended high school courses should
include health, physics, biology and chemistry.
Educational Programs - Chicago Area
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