What EMTs and Paramedics Do

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care provided by these workers. EMTs and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities.

Work Environment

Most EMTs and paramedics work full time. Their work is physically strenuous and can be stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death situations.

How to Become an EMT or Paramedic

All emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics must complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state.

Job Outlook

Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, and acts of violence, will continue to create demand for EMTs and paramedics.

Growth & Trends

This occupation supported 239,100 jobs in 2012 and 241,200 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 0.9%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 23.1% in 2022 to 294,400 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 250,100, compared with an observed value of 241,200, 3.6% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 24.4% in 2024 to 299,600 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 305,400 jobs for 2024, 1.9% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.

Paramedics Employment and Labor Information 2023

Paramedics Employment Brief:

Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.

Paramedics Job Description

Here is a Job Description an employer might post for potential Paramedics.

Paramedics Responsibilities and Duties:

Typical Daily Tasks of Paramedics:

Paramedics Skills and Requirements:

• Mathematics Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• InternetNavigating the Internet to find information, including the ability to open and configure standard browsers; use searches, hypertext references, and transfer protocols; and send and retrieve electronic mail (e-mail).
• Quality Control Analysis Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Word ProcessingUsing a computer application to type text, insert pictures, format, edit, print, save, and retrieve word processing documents.
• Operations Analysis Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Repairing Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Systems Evaluation Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Troubleshooting Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Paramedics Education and Training:

Typical education for include: Postsecondary non-degree award.

Paramedics Salary, Wages, and Salary and Job Outlook

Paramedics average pay is: $49090 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees who work in NAare the highest paid making $27.18, while Outpatient Care Centers make the least at $24.14 per hour.Here are the top city/metro areas with the highest paying salaries for a Paramedics: