Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Career Guide

What is an emergency medical technician?

An emergency medical technician, or EMT, is someone who helps out in medical emergencies. They are usually the first ones to arrive when something bad happens, like an accident or a sudden sickness. EMTs have special training to handle these urgent situations and make sure people get the help they need fast.

Their main job is to make sure patients are stable and get them quickly to a hospital where they can get more help. They really make a difference in helping people not only survive but also keep living their lives after recovery.

Duties and responsibilities

EMTs rush to places where someone is hurt or very sick. They check what’s wrong with the person and do what’s needed right away, like first aid or CPR. They also use a bunch of medical tools to help people, from machines that restart hearts to helping deliver babies in emergencies.

After they help, EMTs also fill out some forms about the patient’s condition and what they did to help. This info is important for doctors and nurses who take over at the hospital.

Work environment

You can find EMTs working mostly in ambulances, but they might also be part of bigger emergency teams with firefighters or police. They work just about anywhere an emergency can happen—like in houses, on streets, or in businesses.

Their job can be tough—they work in all kinds of weather, and it’s very active. They need to be ready for anything at any time, which means their work days can be long and at weird hours.

Typical work hours

EMTs usually work full-time, and they don’t just work nine to five. Their shifts can be really long because emergencies can happen at any time. They work day and night, weekends, and holidays. Sometimes, they work extra hours, especially if there’s a big event or something like a natural disaster happening. They have to be ready to jump into action whenever they’re needed.

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How to become an emergency medical technician

Becoming an EMT is all about learning the right skills and getting the proper certifications. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Earn your high school diploma

First things first, you need to finish high school. You don’t need a college degree to become an EMT, but you will need to take some extra classes after high school.

Step 2: Receive CPR certifications

Before you dive into your EMT training, it’s a good idea to get certified in CPR (that’s short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation). You can get this certification through organizations like the American Red Cross. They even offer classes online, so you can start learning right away.

Step 3: Get your EMT certifications

To really get into the EMT field, you’ll need to take a specific training program, which usually lasts about six months. You’ll learn everything from how to check what’s wrong with patients to how to move them safely to a hospital. These programs are available both online and in person.

If you’re looking for online courses, Coursera offers an EMT Specialization program that teaches you basic emergency medical care. Also, check out Udemy for more courses on things like Advanced Trauma Life Support, First Aid, and Medical Terminology.

Step 4: Pass the national EMT exam

To work as an EMT, you’ll need to pass a big test called the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Exam. It has two parts—one that tests what you know in your head, and one that tests what you can do with your hands. You’ll need to be really prepared because it covers a lot of important emergency care skills.

Step 5: Apply for jobs and keep learning

Once you pass your test and get certified, you can start applying for jobs at places like hospitals and ambulance services. The learning doesn’t stop there, though. You can keep taking more courses to move up to higher levels like becoming a paramedic or even a nurse later on.

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How much do emergency medical technicians make?

There are many variables that go into determining how much an EMT makes, from company size to experience to education, just to name a few.

Browse EMT salary data by market

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Types of emergency medical technicians

Being an EMT can mean different things depending on how much training you’ve had. Here are the different types:

EMT basic

This is where everyone starts. As an EMT basic, you learn how to save lives with basic techniques and first aid. You’re usually working alongside someone with more experience, and you might even drive the ambulance. Your main job is to keep patients stable, give them first aid, and get them to the hospital.

EMT intermediate

After some more classes and experience, you can become an EMT intermediate. At this level, you get to do more things, like clearing someone’s airways, using equipment to check heart function, and giving some medicines. It’s a step up from basic and lets you handle more complex medical tasks.

EMT advanced

This is the level just below a paramedic. EMT advanced professionals can do a lot on their own, like starting IVs, using suction tools after a patient has been intubated, and more. To get here, you need even more training and have to pass tough exams.

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Top skills for emergency medical technicians

If you’re thinking about becoming an EMT, here are the key skills you’ll need:

Medical expertise

Knowing how to handle medical emergencies is crucial. This includes everything from giving first aid and performing CPR to using complex equipment during emergencies. You need to be ready to handle different situations, like car accidents or heart attacks, and give the best care possible to the people who need it.

Quick thinking

When emergencies happen, every second matters. You have to be able to look at a situation quickly, figure out what’s wrong, and decide what to do right away. This fast decision-making is super important to help people in the most effective way.

Emotional resilience

Being an EMT can be really tough emotionally. You’ll see a lot of intense situations, so being able to stay calm and make smart choices even when things are hard is essential. It’s also important to take care of your own feelings and stress, so you can keep doing your job well.

Effective communication

EMTs work with lots of other people, like doctors, nurses, and the police. You need to be able to talk clearly and share important info about the patient’s condition quickly and accurately. Good communication also helps when you need to calm down scared patients or their families.

Physical stamina

This job can be physically tough. You might need to lift or move patients, run, or carry heavy equipment. Being strong and fit helps you do all these things without getting hurt or too tired, which means you can keep helping others.

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Emergency medical technician career path

Starting as an EMT is a great first step if you’re interested in the healthcare field. Here’s what you can do after you start:

Become a paramedic

Once you’ve got some experience as an EMT, you might decide to level up to a paramedic. Paramedics do more advanced medical stuff like putting in IV lines and managing severe breathing problems. It requires more training, but you get to do more to help patients in critical situations.

Train to be a registered nurse

A lot of EMTs go on to become registered nurses (RNs). It takes more school to become an RN, but your time as an EMT gives you a head start. Nurses are really needed right now, so it’s a solid job option with lots of opportunities.

Work as a medical assistant

If you want to keep working in medicine but in a less intense setting, being a medical assistant could be a great choice. You don’t need a college degree for this job, and you’ll work in places like doctors’ offices or hospitals where it’s generally a bit calmer. You’ll still use your medical skills, but you won’t be in the middle of emergencies all the time.

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Similar job titles

• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Firefighter
• Police Officer
• Paramedic
• Nurse Practitioner
• Registered Nurse
• Medical Assistant
• Physician Assistant
• 911 Dispatcher
• 911 Operator

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Position trends and outlook for emergency medical technicians

Here’s what’s happening in the field and what to expect if you’re thinking about this career:

• Support for EMTs: To help them stay strong mentally and physically, it’s becoming more common for places to offer support programs. Things like spreading out shifts better and making sure there are enough EMTs available can also help reduce burnout.
• Tech in medicine: Even though new tech like social media and telemedicine (which lets doctors treat people over the internet) is becoming more popular, EMTs are still crucial. They’re the ones who show up to help in emergencies, and that’s something technology can’t replace.

Employment projections

There’s a big need for EMTs and it’s only going to get bigger. Jobs for EMTs are expected to grow by about 24% through next ten years. A lot of this is because the population is getting older, and older people tend to need more emergency help for things like heart attacks or falls.

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Emergency medical technician career tips

Emergency medical technicians have a tough job. Once you’ve completed the education and received your certification, you can do a few other things to help you become stronger in your role and more desirable to potential employers. 

Soft skills and traits for EMTs

EMTs need to practice self-care on off days. The job can be stressful and challenging, so being diligent about caring for yourself is important. Stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle handy at all times. Taking care of others requires you to take care of yourself as well. Keep a well-balanced diet and drink enough water. 

Continue learning. Try to take something new away from each patient interaction. Learn about new medicines and situations, and remember to research anything you don’t understand. Ask your patient’s name and use it often. It helps reassure them that they are in good hands. It will also help you do a more effective handoff at the hospital.

Commonly required skills and qualifications

Review your assessment checklist often. How quickly can you take vitals? Does your partner do something differently? You can study videos of other EMTs taking vitals on YouTube to see other techniques. Become familiar with your location. So many people rely on Google Maps now to get anywhere, but if you’re driving the ambulance, you’ll want to be comfortable with the hospital routes and know the fastest ways to get there. 

Study your equipment. Make sure you know how to work all the different tools you have access to. Something as simple as a battery charger could be a life-saving device. Keep a clean and organized vehicle. Many teams share an ambulance with others, so ensure you always clean and restock the vehicle at the end of your shift, just like you would want someone to do for you. 

Develop a professional network

Networking with other EMTs can be extremely helpful to your career growth and continued education. Here are a few fantastic networks:

• International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAEP)
• National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)
• American Ambulance Association (AAA)
• National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE)
• LinkedIn Professional Groups

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FAQs