An Emergency Medical Technician plays a key role in the medical field. If you want to become an emergency medical technician, there are several things you should know. The most important is that you would have to choose between an EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic. An EMT-Basic is allowed to administer initial resuscitation, but is not allowed to use intravenous and other more advanced treatment methods, which can be done by paramedics. Your decision should depend on how much training time you are willing to put in. Basic Emergency Medical Technician programs are short and simple; it will train you on how to do the most important elements of emergency response. Paramedic training programs, however, are a lot longer and more in-depth.
You should also compare the salary. Being an emergency medical technician is a rewarding task, but this does not apply in the financial sense. EMTs are paid on an hourly basis, and basic emergency medical technicians earn less than paramedics. The EMT hourly wages range between $10 and $25, with an average of $15. The pay is also affected by other factors, such as your geographic location and your length and extent of experience. Despite this, many people still express their desire to pursue a career in this field because it is considered as the easiest and simplest way to earn a professional career. If you are truly passionate about your desire to become an emergency medical technician, then the pay should be a big issue.
However, take note that being an emergency medical technician can be a demanding career, both physically, psychologically, and emotionally. So you should have more to expect from it than just the salary. This is a job ideal for those who enjoy helping others and who have a genuine interest in the medical field but don’t have the time or other resources to pursue a career as a nurse or a doctor.
Aside from that, an emergency medical technician should also be up for any kind of challenge, since the situations and people you will be faced with are unpredictable. You should also be able to handle the pressure of knowing that many lives are on the line, which means if you do your job wrong, it could cost someone his/her life. Thus, the job of an emergency medical technician is only for individuals who are mentally, emotionally, and physically strong.
If you have made your final decision to become an emergency medical technician, look for emergency medical technician training courses in your state. Make sure the program is approved by your state’s health department. After your training, you will be put through several tests in order to become a certified emergency medical technician. The whole certification process can take up to 18 months. After receiving your certification, you can start looking for an actual job.
Emergency Medical Technicians have plenty of job opportunities waiting for them. In fact, many hospitals and health care facilities nowadays offer generous bonuses on top of their basic salary. These include healthcare benefits too. So to maximize the benefits you get out of being an emergency medical technician, look for a facility that offers the best compensation package.