EMS Careers
EMS practitioners help people in medical emergencies. Training can range from the basics taught at the first responder level to highly advanced care paramedics give to patients.
A 911 call is the first link in the EMS chain. The next link is the dispatcher, who sends EMS practitioners (the third link) to the scene. The composition of an EMS crew is based on local priorities and resources.
When the patient is stabilized, he or she is transported by the EMS crew to the hospital via an ambulance. On the scene and during the ambulance ride, the EMS crew communicates the patient’s status to the emergency room staff. At the hospital, the crew hands off the patient to the physicians and nurses in the emergency room — the final link in the EMS chain.
EMS practitioners work for city or county fire departments, private ambulance services, hospitals or other agencies. They may be volunteer or paid, and some may be cross-trained as firefighters.
Provided below are brief overviews of the different levels of EMS practitioner and the training required to be certified at each level. These requirements vary from state to state, so check with your state EMS office for the exact requirements in your area.
Certified First Responder
What you do: As the job title suggests, first responders are those emergency workers who arrive at the scene of an accident or medical emergency first. The first responder's duties include providing medical assistance and calling other emergency caregivers to the scene.
What you need to become one: High school diploma or GED
Where you’ll receive your training: First responders can take classes through a community college, online or through a community organization such as the American Red Cross.
What you’ll learn: Certified first responders take between 40 and 60 hours of classes. They learn scene safety and basic patient assessment.
What you’ll earn: Certification as a certified first responder.
EMT-B
What you do: EMT-Basics (EMT-Bs) respond to all sorts of medical emergencies. They know how to perform CPR and artificial ventilation, administer oxygen, defibrillate a patient using an AED, immobilize spinal injuries and monitor vital signs. Their training includes handling cardiac arrests, seizures, diabetic emergencies, respiratory problems and traumatic injuries.
What you need to become one: High school diploma or GED
Where you’ll receive your training: Community college, technical school, hospital, university or public safety academy
What you’ll learn: EMT-B students take about 120 hours of classes, in which they learn emergency care skills, including managing bleeding, fractures, airway obstruction, cardiac arrest and emergency childbirth, as well as patient assessment skills. Formal courses are often combined with time in an emergency room or ambulance. EMT-B students learn how to use and maintain common emergency equipment, such as backboards, suction devices, splints, oxygen delivery systems and stretchers. The course concludes with written and practical exams.
What you’ll earn at the conclusion of training: Certification as an EMT-B. A state license or successful completion of the NREMT exam may be required. Check with your state EMS office for details.
EMT-I
What you do: EMT-Intermediates (EMT-Is) respond to all sorts of medical emergencies. They may specialize in areas such as shock-trauma or cardiac care, but specific tasks vary from state to state.
What you need to become one: High school diploma or GED
Where you’ll receive your training: Community college, technical school, hospital, university or public safety academy
What you’ll learn: EMT-I students take about 40 hours of classes beyond the EMT-B course, in which they learn additional patient assessment skills, as well as how to use advanced airway devices and how to start IVs. The course concludes with written and practical exams.
What you’ll earn at the conclusion of training: Certification as an EMT-I. A state license or successful completion of the NREMT exam may be required. Check with your state EMS office for details.
EMT-P
What you do: Paramedics respond to a variety of medical emergencies. They are competent in all the skills an EMT-B needs, and they also are trained in advanced airway management and are allowed to start intravenous lines and administer a variety of medication.
What you need to become one: High school diploma or GED
Where you’ll receive your training: Community college, technical school, hospital, university or public safety academy
What you’ll learn: Paramedic students take about 1,000 hours of classes, during which they learn emergency care skills, including advanced airway management and medication administration, as well as anatomy and physiology. Formal courses are often combined with time in an emergency room or ambulance. The course concludes with written and practical exams.
What you’ll earn at the conclusion of training: Certification as an EMT-P (often awarded as an associate degree). A state license or successful completion of the NREMT exam may be required. Check with your state EMS office for details.
Where the Jobs Are
Private ambulance services: 40 percent
Local governments: 30 percent
Hospitals: 20 percent
Other: 10 percent
Source: EMS Workforce for the 21st Century: A National Assessment.
Future Job Market
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for EMS practitioners is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. This segment is expected to have 19 percent growth, which is due in part to paid personnel replacing volunteers in some parts of the country, as well as the aging Baby Boomer population’s increased need for emergency medical care.
The Labor Department predicts that employment prospects should be good, particularly in cities and private ambulance services.
For more information about becoming an EMT or paramedic, click here.
For current job opportunities, please visit our EMS Job Center.