Emergency Medical Technicians Career Profile

Picture this: It’s 2 AM, and within minutes of receiving an emergency call, you’re racing through city streets in an ambulance, preparing to be first on the scene of a major accident. Lives literally hang in the balance, and your quick thinking and trained hands could make all the difference.

Think about the last time you saw an ambulance speed past with sirens blaring. Inside that vehicle, EMTs were working to stabilize patients, performing life-saving procedures, and coordinating with hospital staff – all while navigating through traffic.

EMTs are the backbone of emergency medical services, serving as front-line healthcare providers in crisis situations. These professionals work around the clock to provide immediate response and care during medical emergencies.

Total employment: 169,700 (2023)

Common Names for Emergency Medical Technicians

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• First Responder

What Emergency Medical Technicians Do

EMTs respond to emergency calls and provide immediate medical care and transportation to medical facilities. Their core responsibilities include:

• Patient Assessment: Rapidly evaluate patients’ medical conditions, vital signs, and injuries to determine appropriate emergency care and treatment priorities.
• Emergency Medical Care: Provide immediate life-saving interventions and basic medical treatment, including CPR, bleeding control, and airway management, following established protocols and guidelines.
• Patient Transport: Safely move and transport patients from emergency scenes to medical facilities while maintaining continuous care and monitoring during transit.
• Medical Documentation: Record accurate and detailed patient information, treatment provided, and observations in required formats to ensure proper medical handoff and maintain legal records.
• Emergency Response: Quickly and safely respond to 911 calls and emergency situations, operating emergency vehicles and managing scene safety for all involved parties.
• Equipment Management: Maintain, inspect, and properly operate emergency medical equipment and supplies to ensure readiness for patient care at all times.
• Healthcare Communication: Effectively communicate patient status and care details to receiving medical facilities, team members, and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care.
• Scene Safety Assessment: Evaluate emergency scenes for potential hazards and ensure the safety of patients, bystanders, and fellow responders before and during medical care.