An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is the first pre-hospital care giver on site of an accident of an injured patient. There are three levels of EMTs: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. The differentiation for the three lay in the number of contact hours in the field in addition to the number of hours of training.

EMTs typically are involved in a training course offered through a local fire station program or a college course. A high school degree is required to begin training. Both types of training courses require students to go through a specific program learning not only the duties and responsibilities of an EMT but also the basic anatomy and chemistry associated with medicine and the human body. EMT-Intermediate build upon the basic skills and knowledge learned in the initial training course completed. More field experience and patient contact hours give the EMT-Intermediate care giver a step up in the hierarchy. Paramedics are also responsible for the administration of PALS certification courses to new EMTs. This extra training ensures their chance for success.

EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate workers have duties related directly to safely driving the ambulance, assessing the scene for traffic, assessing the immediate injuries of patients involved at the scene, and giving required assistance to preserve the patient en route to the hospital. EMT-Basic can also take patient medical history on scene, assist in childbirth, update hospital medical staff with patient stats and injuries upon arriving at the hospital, and restocking supplies once a transport has been completed. EMT-Intermediate students commit to additional hours of training (between 30-350 hours) with coursework focusing on advance airway devices, IV (intravenous) fluids, and some medications.

Due to the nature of the job, EMTs should be in top physical and emotional health. EMTs are exposed to extreme temperatures, the elements, fumes, loud noises, unpleasant situations, foul odors, heavy lifting, and working with blood or blood products. EMTs also have to be able to remain calm in tense or stressful environments where variables change at a moment’s notice. Strong verbal communication skills also assist in not only communicating with the team of EMTs and paramedics on the call but also in relaying information to the hospital staff upon arrival of the hospital.

EMTs work along with Paramedics who offer more specific knowledge due to their extensive hours of additional training and field work. EMTs are not to administer drugs or IV (intravenous). All Emergency Medical Services workers (EMTs and paramedics) are required to participate in continuing education classes for re-certification as the field of medicine is constantly changing.