Knowledge: An EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) will be engage in a team or large group of people who are responsible for attending and providing a variety of Emergency or non- Emergency calls (such as patient transportation).The principal responsibility of the EMT is to provide care and attention to the patient at the scene of the emergency and keep providing health care on the way to the Hospital.
Collective goals: The main goal of any EMT or EMS is to provide emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured.
Training: There are four levels of EMT recognize in the United States: Emergency Medical Responders (EMR), must receive at least 24-60 hours of classroom training. An EMT gives basic life support, receive at least 120-180 hours of classroom training. After this training, the technician has the necessary training to administrate external defibrillation, use of airway adjuncts, and assisting patients with certain medications such as taking aspirin, nitroglycerin, epinephrine and albuterol. AEMTs generally have 200-500 hours of training, Advance life support means that the technician has extensive training that allows him perform more risky procedures to the patient such as give prescriptions, endotracheal intubation, administration of intravenous fluids and cardiac monitoring etc. Paramedics is the most advance level of EMTs, they are trained for 1000-1800 hours, sometimes even more.
Licensure (this varies by state): There are particular requirements a person has to meet in order to be recognize as an EMT. Although the requirements may vary from State to State, the general criteria usually include: having a High School Diploma or GED equivalent, completion of Basic Life Support/ cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course, successfully completion of the EMT course approved by the State, completion of a state-recognize and approved written and practical examination, must have a motor vehicle driver’s license in order to practice as an EMT and demonstrating that is mentally and physically capable of performing all tasks required in the role of an EMT. Furthermore, certain requirements should be meet depending on the agency, as it is: providing proof of immunization against particular communicable diseases, and also pass random drug tests.
Number of professionals in practice by vertical differentiation (geography, practice setting, specialty): In 2011 the National EMS Assessment reported an estimate of 826,111 licensed and credentialed EMS professionals at the levels EMT- basic 64%, intermediate 24% and paramedics 6% in the United States.
History and evolution of the profession: Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) is expected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, which is a faster demand compared to most similar occupations. This fast growth is due to Emergencies, such as vehicle accidents, natural disasters, and acts of violence and the baby boomers population (the aging in the population), which contribute to the demand for EMTs.
Professional associations and their roles: The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), is dedicated to represent the interest of all Emergency Medical Services (EMS) practitioners regardless their Scope of Practice (EMT, paramedics, EMS educator and EMS administrator, Firefighters, etc).
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), is a nongovernmental agency that provides national EMS testing and certifications in majority of the States.
Competitor professions: Emergency Medical Responders (EMR), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), Paramedics, Firefighter, ER nurses.
Current strategic issues that face the profession and the profession’s position on these issues: An issue faced by the EMS is meeting the workforce needs. The media report shortages, problems with recruitment and retention, and health and safety of their employees because of low worker pay and poor employment benefits. Nonetheless, the EMS industry and governmental agencies, due to recent national disasters are noticing the necessity of increasing benefits and compensation to assure EMS workforce viability.