Contents: What are the qualifications? What are the different levels of EMT? What does an EMT do? EMT Course information Where can I take a course?

Introduction

The following is a position description for EMT / AEMT (including EMT-Basic, EMT-Defibrillation, EMT-Intermediate, EMT-Critical Care and EMT-Paramedic). This may be used as a guide for anyone who is interested in understanding what qualifications, competencies and tasks are expected of the EMT / AEMT.

Qualifications

*Apply and successfully complete the NYS approved curriculum.
*Achievement of a passing scores on practical and written certification examinations.
*Must be at least 18 years of age.
*Generally, the knowledge and skills required show the need for a high school education or equivalent.
*Ability to communicate verbally, via telephone and radio equipment.
*Ability to lift, carry, and balance up to 125, pounds (250 with assistance).
*Ability to interpret written, oral and diagnostic form instructions.
*Ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations.
*Ability to be unaffected by loud noises and flashing lights.
*Ability to function efficiently throughout an entire work shift without interruption.
*Ability to calculate weight and volume ratios.
*Ability to read English language manuals.
*Ability to read road maps and accurately discern street signs and address numbers.
*Ability to interview patient, family members, and bystanders.
*Ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such.
*Ability to converse in English with coworkers and hospital staff as to status of patient.
*Good manual dexterity, with ability to perform all tasks related to highest quality patient care.
*Ability to bend, stoop, and crawl on uneven terrain.
*Ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as. extreme heat, cold, and moisture.
*Ability to work in low light and confined spaces.

Competency Areas

EMT - Basic
Must demonstrate competency assessing a patient, handling emergencies utilizing Basic Life Support equipment, have the ability to perform CPR, control hemorrhage, provide non-invasive shock treatment, fracture and spinal stabilization, manage environmental emergencies, and emergency childbirth.

EMT - Defibrillation
Must be capable of performance of all EMT- Basic skills and use of a semi-automatic defibrillator.

Community marketplace EMT- Intermediate
Must be capable of performance of all EMT-Basic skills and utilization of equipment. Must be able to supply Advanced Life Support, using intravenous therapy (in life/death situations), use a defibrillator and the EOA / ET airway for airway control in respiratory and complete arrest patients.

EMT - Critical Care
Must be capable of performance of all EMT- Basic skills and utilization of equipment. Must be able to supply Advanced Life Support, using the EMT- Intermediate skills and utilization of equipment, and administration of appropriate medications.

EMT - Paramedic
Must be capable of utilizing all EMT-Basic and EMT-l skills and equipment, and be able to perform under Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support standards, be knowledgeable and competent in the use of cardiac monitor / defibrillator, and intravenous drugs and fluids. The EMT-P has reached the highest level of pre-hospital certification.

Description of Tasks

*Receives call from dispatcher, responds verbally to emergency calls.
*Reads maps, may drive ambulance to emergency site, uses most expeditious route, and observes traffic ordinances and regulations.
*Determines nature and extent of illness or injury, takes pulse, blood pressure, visually observes changes in skin color, makes determination regarding patient status.
*Establishes priority for emergency care, renders appropriate emergency care (based on competency level).
*May administer intravenous drugs or fluid replacement (based on competency level) as directed by physician.
*May use equipment (based on competency level) such as but not limited to, defibrillator, electrocardiograph, performs endotracheal intubation to open airways and ventilate patient, inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment to improve patient's blood circulation.
*Assists in lifting, carrying, and transporting patient to ambulance and on to a medical facility.
*Reassures patients and bystanders, avoids mishandling patient and undue haste, searches for medical identification emblem to aid in care.
*Extricates patient from entrapment, assesses extent of injury, uses prescribed techniques and appliances, radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services, provides light rescue service if required, provides additional emergency care following established protocols.
*Complies with regulations in handling deceased, notifies authorities, arranges for protection of property and evidence at scene.
*Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported, reports nature and extent of injuries or illness to that facility, asks for direction from hospital physician or emergency department.
*Observes patient en route and administers care as directed by physician or emergency department.
*Identifies diagnostic signs, that require communication with facility.
*Assists in removing patient from ambulance and into emergency facility.
*Reports verbally and in writing observations about care of patient at the scene and en-route to facility, provides assistance to emergency staff as required.
*Replaces supplies, sends used supplies for sterilization, checks all equipment for future readiness, maintains ambulance in operable condition, ensures ambulances cleanliness and orderliness of equipment and supplies, decontaminates vehicle interior, determines vehicle readiness by checking oil, gas, water in battery and radiator, and fire pressure, maintains familiarity with all specialized equipment.