When an emergency arises, someone must provide expert care from the accident site to the emergency room.  Emergency Medical Technicians, also called paramedics, are the go-betweens who provide immediate emergency care, relay information to the hospital, and keep careful watch of a person’s health status until the ambulance arrives at the hospital.

Emergency Medical Technicians are highly trained in helping provide care during pregnancy labor, after heart attacks, following car accidents, subsequent to shootings, and following other accidents, crimes, and conditions that occur when a person least expects it.  Emergency Medical Technicians quickly diagnosis the necessary treatment, provide critical medications, get blood pressure and pulse readings, run necessary scans, and keep in close contact with the hospital.

After a person dials 911, the 911 operator determines the problem and dispatches the correct personnel.  Often firefighters, police, and Emergency Medical Technicians work side by side in case of an accident, fire, or shooting.  Typically, Emergency Medical Technicians will arrive at the same time or shortly after the police or firefighters.  The extra personnel help keep the scene under control so that the Emergency Medical Technician can work safely and efficiently.   For a call to a home, Emergency Medical Technicians arrive on the scene, typically in pairs considering there are an ambulance driver and an Emergency Medical Technician, and then access the situation.

There are numerous levels of Emergency Medical Technicians.  First Responders are the lowest level.  Also known as EMT-Basics or EMT-1s, First Responders are usually the first Emergency Medical Technicians on the scene.  Their training allows them to provide only the most basic of care.  An EMT-1 routinely handles blood pressure readings, pulse readings, and basic assessments.

The next level of Emergency Medial Technician is the EMT-2 or EMT-3, or the EMT-Intermediate.  EMT-Intermediates possess advanced training that allows them to administer fluids through an IV.  EMT-Intermediates also carry advanced training in the use of defibrillators in case a heart stops beating.  Patients with breathing issues receive the advanced skills of an EMT-Intermediate who possess knowledge of putting in air tubes down a person’s throat to help with lung troubles.

Finally, EMT-4s, also EMT-Paramedics, possess complex training in all aspects of emergency care.  EMT-Paramedics can administer medicines both orally and intravenously, read EKG printouts, and do emergency intubation through the skin if a patient is having breathing and there is blockage preventing a tube from going down the throat.

Emergency Medical Technicians require advanced training to reach each job level.  Typically, area hospitals and colleges team up to provide training to people interested in becoming an Emergency Medical Technician.  State employment agencies will have the necessary information and contacts.