4 unique roles within EMS
The Office of Emergency Medical Services works in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reduce death and disability. The Office of EMS notes that the best preparation for any incident, whether it’s big or small, is a comprehensive EMS system with skilled personnel ready to respond every day and to every emergency.
EMS workers provide an invaluable service to their communities, and projections indicate those services could be in even greater demand in the years to come. For example, projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that, by 2026, job opportunities for emergency medical technicians could grow by 15 percent compared to a decade earlier. During that period, more than 37,000 new EMT jobs could be created or need to be filled.
EMS workers serve in a variety of capacities. The following are four unique roles that fall under the EMS umbrella.
1. Emergency medical responder
Often referred to as an “EMR,” an Emergency Medical
Responder has the skills and knowledge to provide immediate services to individuals in emergency situations. Qualifications vary, but EMRs must complete EMR coursework and pass a variety of examinations before they can take on this vital role. EMRs do not offer advanced care, but they can provide potentially life-saving care in emergency settings until other responders arrive.
2. Emergency medical technician
Emergency Medical Technicians, or EMTs, provide medical care after responding to emergency calls. The BLS indicates that job growth among EMTs is expected to outpace growth in all other occupations by 2030. That illustrates both a need for the vital services EMTs provide as well as a need for special individuals willing to pursue this line of work.
EMTs often help to stabilize patients and provide patient care in an ambulance en route to the hospital.
3. Advanced EMT
Advanced EMTs, sometimes referred to as “AEMTs,” must meet extra educational and certification requirements compared to EMTs. AEMTs can provide the same services as EMTs, but are often chosen to respond to situations that require or potentially require more advanced services, such as administering fluids and medications. Many states consider AEMTs advanced life support providers, which also differentiates them from EMTs.
4. Paramedic
Paramedics often must complete a degree program and pass a variety of exams before they can be certified. According to the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care, a paramedic program may require between 1,200 and 1,800 hours. Once certified, paramedics can provide both basic and advanced care, including critical care during emergencies. To become a paramedic, individuals must be an EMT and have experience working as an EMT.
Emergency medical services is an umbrella term that includes an assortment of trained professionals who perform a variety of tasks in an effort to protect public health.