THE JOB
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN-Is (EMT-Is ) are skilled medical workers who respond by ambulance to medical emergencies for the injured and ill. They are sent to emergencies by specially trained dispatchers who maintain radio contact or patch them through to medical professionals for ongoing instructions. Following instructions, they examine victims to determine the nature and extent of injury or illness and administer first aid and emergency basic life support (BLS), such as giving oxygen and doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (heart/lung revival). They continue the BLS treatment during transport to hospitals. They help the emergency room staff do pre-admittance treatment and obtain medical histories.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN-IIs (EMT-IIs) perform all of the tasks required of EMT-Is plus more complex procedures such as inserting intravenous catheters, administering intravenous glucose solutions, administering a limited number of drugs, and obtaining blood samples for laboratory analysis. In certain emergency situations, the EMT-IIs may be approved to perform advanced life support procedures.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN-PARAMEDICS (EMT-Ps) belong to the same group of emergency medical occupations as EMT-Is and EMT-IIs. They are the most highly trained workers of the group and are skilled medical care givers, trained in all phases of emergency, pre-hospital care, including emergency advanced life support (ALS) treatment. They give immediate help to victims -- of accident or sudden illness -- at the scene and continue during ambulance transport to hospitals. Under the direction of a physician, paramedics can administer some drugs orally or by injection, insert breathing-aid devices, use stomach suction equipment, use and interpret heart monitoring equipment and do other emergency medical procedures during the ambulance ride.
EMTs are trained on ambulance operations and procedures. They drive emergency vehicles with special communication and medical equipment and check their vehicles daily and keep them in excellent condition and well stocked with medical supplies.
WORKING CONDITIONS
EMTs, usually working in two-person teams, must maneuver safely and quickly through traffic while obeying traffic safety laws. Their response times are carefully tracked, and they are expected to reach the emergency scene within a specified number of minutes. Their very important work saves many lives, but it also deals with human suffering and, often, tragedy. Sometimes children are the victims. They cope with all kinds of emergencies involving many people -- from victims of heart attacks to multiple vehicle accidents or natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. Sometimes the injured are trapped in wreckage. Technicians must deal with both upset or distraught victims and excited bystanders while controlling the scene with calmness and a reassuring manner.
Turnover for this occupational field is high. This is mainly due to the unusual work hours and the stress brought on by constantly working in a crisis environment.
Most EMTs work for private ambulance companies. Some EMT-Ps work for city and county emergency services agencies.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division.
Estimated number of workers in 1990 8,270 Estimated number of workers in 2005 10,640 Projected Growth Percentage 1990-2005 29% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 1,270
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
Employment of EMTs by the year 2005 is expected to be above the average growth for all occupations primarily because of the rapidly expanding aging population. Recent surveys show that there is more demand for EMT-Ps, who are usually placed as soon as they complete required certification because of their advanced training and experience.
The Emergency Medical Services Authority estimates that there are approximately 35,000 EMT-Is, and 6,000-7,000 EMT-Ps currently certified in California. No information exists on the number of certified EMTs who are actually working in the job classification, but the large number of certificates does not reflect an accurate picture of worker supply and demand. Many firefighters and police offices have EMT certificates; in these occupations it is only part of the job requirement rather than the entire job.
WAGES, HOURS AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Salary ranges vary widely between geographical areas and employers who may be private or public ambulance service organizations. The following information shows hourly wages for entry, experienced and journey-level and is from recent county surveys of EMT salaries.
Emergency Medical Technician I Entry $4.25-11.80 Experienced $4.50-13.90 Journey level $4.75-16.30
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Entry $6.50-13.50 Experienced $6.50-18.75 Journey level $7.75-20.50
Data from a 1995 California State Fire Service Salary Survey revealed that in 11 metropolitan fire departments, the average paramedic pay ranged from $21.00 per hour to $26.00 per hour and EMTs earned from $19.00 to $24.00 an hour.
Fringe benefits usually include: paid vacation, sick leave, medical, dental and vision insurance, and retirement plans. Many employers pay for life insurance. A few now have on-site child care for employees' use, a real plus for this around-the-clock, seven-day-week occupation. Their schedule may include a 48-hour shift, followed by several days off. EMTs are expected to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
The State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority and county EMS offices certify EMT-Is, EMT-IIs and EMT-Ps based on the following requirements:
EMT-I: (certified by county EMS offices)
-- Minimum age: 18 -- Approved EMT training - 100 hours -- Supervised clinical experience - 10 hours -- Valid California driver's license -- 24 Hours of Refresher training or continuing education every two years -- Length of certification -- two years -- Tested for recertification every four years
EMT-II: (certified by county EMS offices)
-- Minimum age: 18
-- High school diploma or equivalent
-- EMT-I certification and one year field experience
-- Minimum of 210 hours of approved classroom and skills laboratory
training
-- 96 hours clinical training & field internship
-- Minimum of 20 emergency advance life support patient contacts
-- Recertification examination every two years
-- 48 hours of continuing education every two years
-- Six field care audits of patient care records yearly
EMT-P: (licensed by State EMS Authority)
-- Age 18 with high school diploma or equivalent
-- Valid EMT-l/II certificate
-- 320 hours-Approved classroom and skills laboratory
-- Approved hospital clinical training -- 160 hours
-- Approved field internship - 460 hours with a minimum of 40 patient
contacts who required emergency advanced life support assistance
-- Continuing education every two years - 48 hours including 12 hours of
field care audits
-- Licensed by state
Paramedics with military experience who are on the national registry are eligible to challenge the skills exam to meet registration requirements set by the State EMS Authority. Additional training may be required.
There are over 200 EMT-I and eight EMT-II training sites in California. There are 31 EMT-P sites located in the larger metropolitan areas of the state.
ADVANCEMENT
EMT-Is take additional training to enter the advanced EMT-II and EMT-P classification. Some transfer into dispatcher jobs. EMT-Ps may become supervisors or trainers or move to jobs in the emergency room as paramedics. Some take additional medical training to be LVNs or RNs.
FINDING THE JOB
Job seekers who want to become EMT-I trainees may contact the EMS office in their county or in any county they wish to work. Qualified EMT-Is, EMT-IIs, and Paramedics are encouraged to register with the EMS office in the county or counties where they want to work.
Job seekers should also apply directly to ambulance companies. Some city and county medical-provider agencies have a separate classification for EMTs.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
California Emergency Medical Services Authority 1930 9th Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 322-4336
Local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies serve each county. Call the California Emergency Medical Services Authority for a list of these agencies.
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner No. 29 Licensed Vocational Nurse No. 313 Firefighters No. 241 Home Health Aide No. 461 Medical Assistant No. 513
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Emergency Medical Technician 079.374-010 Paramedic 079.364-026
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Emergency Medical Technicians-I 325081 Emergency Medical Technicians-II 325082 Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic 325083
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department, Labor
Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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