Employment for EMTs and paramedics is
expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations
through 2016. Job prospects should be good, particularly in
cities and private ambulance services.
Employment change: Employment of emergency
medical technicians and paramedics is expected to grow by 19
percent between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than the average
for all occupations. Full-time paid EMTs and paramedics will be
needed to replace unpaid volunteers. It is becoming increasing
difficult for emergency medical services to recruit and retain
unpaid volunteers because of the amount of training and the
large time commitment these positions require. As a result, more
paid EMTs and paramedics are needed. Furthermore, as a large
segment of the population—aging members of the baby boom
generation—becomes more likely to have medical emergencies,
demand will increase for EMTs and paramedics. There also will
still be demand for part-time, volunteer EMTs and paramedics in
rural areas and smaller metropolitan areas.
Job prospects:
Job prospects should be favorable Many job openings will arise
from growth and from the need to replace workers who leave the
occupation because of the limited potential for advancement, as
well as the modest pay and benefits in private-sector jobs.
Job opportunities should be best in private ambulance services.
Competition will be greater for jobs in local government,
including fire, police, and independent third-service rescue
squad departments which tend to have better salaries and
benefits. EMTs and paramedics who have advanced education and
certifications, such as Paramedic level certification, should
enjoy the most favorable job prospects as clients and patients
demand higher levels of care before arriving at the hospital.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
EMT training programs for certification vary greatly from course to
course, provided that each course at least meets local and national
requirements. In the United States, EMT-Bs receive at least 110
hours of classroom training, often reaching or exceeding 120 hours.
EMT-Is generally have 200-400 hours of training, and EMT-Ps are
trained for 1,000 hours or more. In addition, a minimum number of
continuing education (CE) hours are required to maintain
certification. For example, to maintain NREMT certification, EMT-Bs
must obtain at least 48 hours of additional education and either
complete a 24 hour refresher course or complete an additional 24
hours of CEs that would cover, on an hour by hour basis, the same
topics as the refresher course would.
Recertification for other levels follows a similar pattern.
EMT training programs vary greatly in calendar length (number of
days or months). For example, fast track programs are available for
EMT-Bs that are completed in two weeks by holding class for 8 to 12
hours a day for at least two weeks. Other training programs are
months long, or up to 2 years for paramedics in an associates degree
program. In addition to each level's didactic education, clinical
rotations may also be required (especially for levels above
EMT-Basic). Similar in a sense to medical school clinical rotations,
EMT students are required to spend a required amount of time in an
ambulance and on a variety of hospital services in order to complete
a course and become eligible for the certification exam. The number
of clinical hours for both time in an ambulance and time in the hour
vary depending on local requirements, the level the student is
obtaining, and the amount of time it takes the student to show
competency. EMT training programs take place at numerous locations,
such as universities, community colleges, technical schools,
hospitals or EMS academies. Every state in the United States has an
EMS lead agency or state office of emergency medical services that
regulates and accredits EMT training programs. Most of these offices
have web sites to provide information to the public and individuals
who are interested in becoming
an EMT.
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
(EMT-P)
A Paramedic is the highest trained
pre-hospital health care professional. In addition to the basic
training and skills of the EMT-B, the paramedic is trained in
advanced patient assessment, trauma management, pharmacology and
cardiology. This training includes advanced skills in intubation,
cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, intravenous therapy, drug
administration and specialized rescue techniques. Paramedic training
is not limited to the above but provides some idea of the scope of
training.
Education
Most paramedic training programs are approximately 1,100 hours and
takes an average of 12 to 15 months to complete. The course includes
didactic instruction and clinical experiences in the hospital and an
ambulance internship.
Course content includes, but is not limited
to, modules in the following areas:
- Roles and responsibilities of the EMT-P
- Anatomy and physiology
- Medical terminology
- Cardiovascular pathophysiology
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Pharmacology
- Central Nervous System
- Pathophysiology
- Trauma Management
- OB/GYN
- Pediatrics
- Medical emergencies
- Psychiatric emergencies
Hospital clinical experiences include, but
are not limited to, the following areas:
- Emergency Department
- Labor and Delivery
- Newborn Intensive Care
- Respiratory Therapy and Intensive Care
- Ambulance internship is provided on hospital-sponsored medic
units
In Allegheny County, we are fortunate
to have 2 outstanding DOH-approved training sites. To obtain more
information concerning EMS-related training click on the links below.
1) Center for Emergency Medicine
2) Community College of Allegheny County
