What Does an EMT Do?

EMTs are medical professionals who work for health care facilities and arrive on the scene of emergency situations to provide basic life support and patient care. They’ll work closely with Paramedics and other emergency medical personnel to assess the situation and provide care for the patient until arriving at the hospital. EMTs may also assist other health care personnel in administering advanced life support to patients in need.

Many Emergency Medical Technicians are trained to drive the emergency vehicles in a safe but efficient manner to the emergency medical facility. When they arrive at the hospital, the EMT is responsible for explaining the situation to hospital staff and relaying the patients’ vitals. They must fill out patient reports after caring for a patient.

EMT Skills and Qualifications

EMTs require a lot of skills that they’re called on to use in high-stress and even dangerous situations. EMTs need a wide range of medical skills, with their abilities focused on first aid and lifesaving care. First aid encompasses things like applying bandages, cleaning wounds and stabilizing fractures. Lifesaving treatment ranges from stopping blood flow to performing CPR or using a defibrillator. Other important skills and qualifications for EMTs include:

• The ability to work long hours without lowering the quality of care they provide
• The ability to provide care in stressful situations
• Problem-solving skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Situational awareness
• Stress management skills

EMT Education and Training Requirements

An EMT must meet several requirements in terms of education, training and certifications. To become an EMT or paramedic, you need a basic EMT certification. This requires six months to two years of studying, and candidates must complete national and/or state exams to become certified. Basic first-aid certifications, like a CPR certification, are also required. They usually have completed a two-year associate’s degree, though some candidates may have a bachelor’s or some college or university experience.

EMT Experience Requirements

All EMTs gain experience through the certification process. Before beginning, candidates will have real-world experience diagnosing injuries and applying stabilizing care. Even entry-level candidates will have basic emergency care covered. If an EMT is coming from a similar field, such as a paramedic or emergency response team member, they’ll likely have a few years of experience.

Job Description Samples for Similar Positions

EMTs have a lot of skills, and capturing all the requirements you need can be a challenge. To ensure you’re not missing any of the education and skills you need to include in your job posting, check out some samples and templates for similar positions:

• Paramedic
• ER Tech
• ER Nurse