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June 1, 2005
by JJ Singh
jj.singh@healthcare-programs.com
Healthcare Programs Columnist
You're good at thinking on your feet and you love to help people. The medical field needs people like you as emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
If you are already in the medical field - or want to get started in healthcare - hospitals and communities are in great need of qualified, certified EMTs to respond to emergencies.
EMTs are trained to perform a variety of functions on the job. As an EMT, you will be dispatched by a 911 operator to an emergency scene. You will then assess the situation, apply the appropriate care, and then transport the patient to a hospital or other health care facility. Some of the care you may provide includes:
- Administering Basic First Aid
- Performing CPR
- Stabilizing Patients Using Oxygen or Life-support Machinery
EMT Training
All states require EMTs to be certified; some states rely on certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), while other states have their own certification protocol.
Not all EMTs are the same. Through an accredited on-line program, you can train for different positions:
- EMT-Basic (EMT 1) – Learn to manage cardiac and respiratory emergencies, treat wounds, give first aid, and perform CPR.
- EMT-Intermediate (EMT 2 & 3) – Get additional training in shock trauma and giving medication and IV fluids.
- EMT-Paramedic (EMT 4) – Learn the most advanced EMT techniques with a two-year advanced degree.
Whichever type of EMT training you would like to pursue, it is important to choose a program that gives you plenty of practical experience. Because the hands-on experience is so important, you might consider volunteering to get as much practical knowledge as possible.
Once you have the right training and practice, you will be ready to use all of your skills in the exciting EMT field.
About the Author
JJ Singh is a recently returned Peace Corps Volunteer in South America where he encountered and wrote about innumerable health issues. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics.
Sources
www.nremt.org
http://www.bls.gov/
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