Emergency Medical Technician Job Description

Job Overview

The job of an emergency medical technician is demanding. It requires that you have the ability to deal with stressful situations and analyze health problems as they occur. The primary role of an emergency medical technician (EMT) is to provide immediate care to individuals and transport them to a higher level of care if necessary. The job also does not solely mean that you are going to work in an ambulance and will be driving around with ambulance lights flashing. EMTs can work for a variety of different employers. They are needed anywhere large gathering of people are expected, including events, hotels and schools.

Typical Job Functions

The primary function of an emergency care technician is to provide stabilizing care to individuals and victims in need. This means that an EMT must have the right training and skill set to accurately care for those individuals. The first thing the emergency medical technician will do is to analyze the situation. They must decide if there are any dangers to themselves or additional hazards that may cause problems for the victim. This could also include stabilizing any crowds and getting victims safely away from additional hazards like chemicals or sharp objects.

This includes being able to provide CPR if needed to individuals under cardiac arrest. You must also be trained with how to properly use an AED (automated external defibrillator). With every minute that passes for someone in cardiac arrest, the likelihood of a full recovery diminishes. A well trained EMT will get the victim to a point where they can use the AED as quickly as possible.

Sometimes an individual is not in cardiac arrest but is simply choking. This may require an EMT to provide the Heimlich maneuver. In some cases they may also have to open the airway and manually remove or force out objects obstructing the airway of a victim. EMTs may also be trained to use oxygen tanks and provide oxygen masks to individuals to help with breathing.

EMTs must also be trained to stabilize any broken bone or immobile joints. This could include broken fingers, legs or arms. Spinal and neck injuries also occur. Those require extra attention and require transporting the victim with very limited movement of their body. The victim could be seat or be standing. Each situation will require a different technique to stabilize the victim in the event of a spinal injury.

Other possible situations include dealing with those who have open wounds. This typically involves stopping any loss of blood that may occur. EMTs must apply direct pressure to the affected area. Pressure may also have to be applied to nearby arteries to stop the flow of blood and prevent further bleeding.

Job Duties by Certified Level

There are several levels of emergency medical technicians. The first of these is the EMT-Basic. The EMT-Basic certification is the lowest level of certification and is restricted to only being able to perform the basic life saving tasks detailed above. The next level is the Advanced EMT or EMT Intermediate certification. This level allows additional lifesaving techniques to be used by the EMT. The highest level of EMT certification is the EMT Paramedic, also known just as a paramedic. The paramedic level of training, licensing and certification allows for additional techniques to be used. For example a paramedic is allowed to insert a ventilation pipe (supraglottic airway device) if needed into the airway of a victim to stabilize their breathing.