Matthew Byron chose EMS as a career because of the fast pace and the ever-changing environment that at any moment, a patient can come in and change your entire day.

“I love the unpredictable nature of my job,” said Byron, EMT-P, of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Emergency Department in Illinois. “Every day, I see and learn something new. The most enjoyable part is the instant gratification you get when you’ve helped save someone's life.”

Captain Jim Laing, an EMS supervisor for the Newport News Fire Department in Virginia, agrees. “No two days are the same on the street,” he said. “One day you’re working all cardiac calls, another day it could be obstetric calls, another day it’s trauma, and then another is a mixed bag of all the above.”

A Growing Opportunity
According to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, EMS care may be provided by a fire department, an ambulance service, a county or government-based service, a hospital, or by a combination of the above. EMTs may be paid or be volunteers in the community, while paramedics are almost always paid. 

Although there are an estimated 800,000 EMS providers delivering care in the country, there are still plenty of career and volunteer opportunities in EMS, said David Patterson of Rural/Metro Ambulance in Denver. “It’s a growing field and there’s a shortage of paramedics, especially with the aging of the baby boomers.” 

EMT or Paramedic?
The first step to become an EMT or paramedic is formal training. Although it varies in each state, EMTs need to be trained in a state-approved program. Many high schools, colleges and other organizations teach these approved courses.

After taking the courses, most states require EMTs to have state EMS provider certification. There are currently 43 states that require their EMTs to meet national requirements in order to gain a license as an EMS provider in their state.

After a medic passes the EMT-Basic level, there are generally two more levels of EMT certification, as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Standard Curriculum: EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic. Each state determines how it will provide emergency medical services. Some states even offer an Instructor level.

Each level requires more work experience, coursework and exams. Even after they have their certification, EMTs have to complete continuing education courses and must recertify on a regular basis. Patterson also recommended staying current with the field by reading as many EMS magazines and journals as possible.

The Career for You
The education shouldn’t scare anyone off, said Julie Jasmin, paramedic field supervisor of Fallon Ambulance in Milton, Massachusetts. “For anyone who wants a career that can make a difference in someone’s life, this is the career for you.”

Laing offered one final piece of advice to anyone thinking about EMS as a career: “A lot of this career comes from the heart and one must find it within himself and ask, is this for me?”

For more information on EMT training, contact your local ambulance service or your state EMS office. A list can be found online at www.nremt.org/EMTServices/emt_cand_state_offices.asp. For paramedic training opportunities, visit www.coaemsp.org.

Reprinted with permission from the 2005 EMS Week Kit.

Links:
How to Recruit People to Join Your EMS Team
NAEMT Board Members Exemplify EMS Career Options