What does an Emergency Medical Technician do?
Emergency Medical Technicians with the designation handle critical situations, responding to emergencies and stabilizing injured patients on the way to the hospital. They are certified to take various steps to stabilize patients during pre-hospital care, which occurs in a ground ambulance or ambulatory helicopter. This includes splinting fractured limbs, immobilizing and moving a patient with spinal injuries, creating a tourniquet, and staunching heavy blood flow.
Types of Work Environments
- Ambulances and ambulatory helicopters
- Sporting events
- In tandem with policemen and firefighters to manage critical environments
Education and Training Requirements
The State of Ohio has established minimum requirements for EMT programs, which includes at least 150 hours of classroom and lab-based course work in anatomy, physiology, and the treatment of medical and trauma patients.
Salary
According to salary.com, the median salary of basic EMTs is $37,491 per year.
Professional Organization
- The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
- Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services
Learn More
- Visit the Cleveland Clinic Akron General's Paramedic Education Program webpage.
- Meet EMS: Mike Simon
- Explore what EMT programs Cleveland Clinic is affiliated with.
