The work of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is extremely important because they assist and save millions of lives.
Due to them being significant roles in the medical field, this essay is going to explore the profession of an EMT. An EMT responds to medical emergencies and provides instant treatment to those who are sick or injured at the location of the accident and during transportation to the hospital by ambulance. EMTs provide numerous types of emergency care, such as, performing CPR, clearing blocked airways, or stabilizing a fracture. To perform these procedures, they use special equipment. EMTs utilize bag valve masks, a suction unit, an automated external defibrillator, a cardiac monitor, and a pulse oximeter.
EMTs also use a trauma/spinal board, medication bags, gloves, eye protection, stethoscope, chest decompression kit, bandage wraps, and burn treatment supplies. The working conditions of an EMT can be extremely dangerous. EMTs work indoors, outdoors, and in any type of weather. Medical emergencies can happen at any time, which is why a majority of EMTs work full time and even twenty-four-hour shifts.
Per week, EMTs work for more than 40 hours, however, it can be irregular. Their work schedule also includes weekends, nights, and holidays. Most EMTs work in urban areas, however, volunteer EMTs mainly work in rural communities. EMT volunteers may offer their assistance to fire departments, private ambulance services, and police departments. EMTs who don't volunteer most likely work for hospitals, local government, or ambulance services. The job as EMT can be physically draining, due to all of the lifting, carrying, and bending that is required.
Due to the physical challenges, EMTs have a high chance of injuries and catching illnesses. However, following the correct safety procedures can decrease these dangers.EMTs are exposed to many high-pressure situations. To handle the high pressure, it is essential to remain calm and tranquil. An EMT must be able to use logic reasoning to make quick decisions and evaluate a patient's condition. Another personal quality that an EMT must have is effective communication skills.
EMTs come in contact with people who are emotionally distraught after an incident, which can make it complex to receive information that is needed. It is an EMT's job to talk to the victims effectively and in a demeanor that is calm and reassuring. Also, EMTs must be able to communicate information about a patient, both orally and in writing. This includes radio communications, verbal reports to hospital staff, and written care reports. In addition to that, EMTs must be physically fit and strong. Being an EMT, it involves carrying and lifting heavy loads and patients of all sizes.
Another trait that you must obtain to be successful in this profession is having the willingness to learn and improve your skills. EMTs work in high-pressure environments constantly and for some, it can become very stressful. One way to deal with stress is to take time off and learn how to relax. Taking time off from work can often be an escape and gives you the chance to let go all of your worries and do something that brings you joy. As you take time off, it is essential that you discover ways to relax physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Strategies such as, meditation, taking deep breaths, going out for a walk, or working out can help. Another method to manage the stress is to talk to someone, whether it's a friend, family member, or a professional. Bottling up emotions only allows the negativity to build up and can cause people to have a mental breakdown. Talking to someone gives you the opportunity to release the stress and clear your mind. Having someone that is trusting and can understand your emotions, promotes a positive outlook on the situation.
An additional strategy that can assist in dealing with stress as an EMT would be setting boundaries for yourself. Striving for perfection only leads to constant failure. Setting realistic standards for yourself reduces stress and anxiety. To become an EMT, a person must complete a formal training program. It is mandatory for candidates to have a high school diploma or GED and a driver's license. There are three levels to EMT training, which are EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic.
EMT-Basic students interact with skilled EMTs in the field, emergency rooms, or clinics. According to DeLaet, R. (2013), it states the following:EMTs learn to assess, lift, and move patients; administer CPR; control bleeding; give oxygen; treat shock, burns, poisoning, and allergic reactions; and use an automatic defibrillator. They also learn how to deliver babies, calm people, deal with emotionally disturbed patients, and apply splints and bandages (pp.65).
Students must pass the state written and practical exam. EMT-Intermediate have two sublevels, which are EMT-Intermediate 85 and EMT-Intermediate 99. A person must have 30-350 additional training hours. Applicants are taught higher level skills such as how to start an IV, use a manual defibrillator, and utilize advanced equipment. EMT-Paramedic is the most prominent level of training and can lead to an associate's degree. These programs are one to two years long and are held at community colleges and technical schools.
Students can do field internships and have to earn several medical procedure credentials. Candidates must pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam to be certified as a paramedic. EMTs are required to be licensed in every state. A variety of states demand certification by NREMT and that certify EMTs at each level.
EMTs must be recertified every two to three years.According to Bureau Labor of Statistics (2017), it states "employment of emergency medical technicians and paramedics is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations." In May 2016, 248,000 people were employed as EMTs. An increase in population and specialized facilities will lead to greater request for EMT and paramedic services. As of May 2016, the median annual wage for EMTs was $32,670.
EMTs receive $15.71 per hour. The lowest 10 percent of EMTs earned less than $21,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56,310. The benefits of being an EMT is that you're able to receive 401(k) retirement plan, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and medical, dental, and vision care. A position that many EMTs advance to is the job of a paramedic. As a paramedic, you're able to perform more advanced procedures, such as giving more medication.
In addition to that, they're able to operate developed life support systems and equipment. A paramedic can then work towards becoming a supervisor, administer director, executive director of emergency services, or operations manager. Other positions that an EMT can become would be an instructor, dispatcher, or a physician's assistant. Professional attributes that would benefit all EMTs would be managing your time. As an EMT, you have to complete multiple tasks all at once, while still remaining coherent and productive.
Another attribute that would beneficial to all EMTs would be to cooperate with your team. Working alongside your fellow co-workers, everyone is able to combine their knowledge and skills together to prevent any errors. In addition to that, teamwork assists in specifying a patient's condition and allows the task to be done faster. A professional quality that would be favorable to EMTs would be to be emotionally stable and unbiased. Regardless of the situation, every patient should receive equal and proper medical care. Allowing your emotions to consume your work ethic, can prevent you from being successful at what you do.
