Nature of the EMT
You may see us at automobile accidents, medical emergencies,
falls, accidents, fires, near drowning, unscheduled childbirths, poisonings, and
cardiac arrests, all of which may require immediate medical attention. We, as
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's), provide this urgent care and then transport
the sick or injured to appropriate medical facilities.
We have protocols which
we are taught during classes that allow us to perform basic life saving skills. EMT's
usually work in teams of two or three. If necessary, we request additional help from
police, fire, or rescue personnel, or we may even enlist the help of bystanders if
necessary. We determine the nature and extent of the patient's injuries or illness
while also trying to determine whether the patient has preexisting medical conditions
which could be the cause of the immediate problems or complicate the current situation.
We then give appropriate emergency care following strict guidelines for which procedures
we may perform. EMT-Defibrillator personnel, or EMT-D's, have more advanced training
and can use a semi-automatic defibrillator to give lifesaving shocks to help to revive
a stopped heart.
Some conditions are simple enough to be handled following general
rules and guidelines. Unfortunately most calls are more complicated and require the
EMT to adapt to the environment and situation. More complicated problems sometimes
requires the assistance from either medical control or the Paramedics on scene.
When
a patient is entrapped, as in the case of an automobile accident, cave-in, or building
collapse, we free them if possible or we provide emergency care while others free
them.
At a medical facility, we transfer patients to the emergency department,
report to the staff our observations and the care we provided, and we assist the
ER staff in providing continued emergency treatment.
After each run, we complete
paperwork pertaining to the emergency call, replace used supplies, check equipment
and decontaminate the interior of the ambulance in preparation for the next call.
Training
Training is needed to become an EMT. EMT-Basic training is 80 to
120 hours of classroom work plus 10 hours of internship in a hospital emergency room.
Training is available at various locations in our area during the year, with
both day and evening classes offered.
The 80 to 120 hour program provides instruction and hands on training
for bleeding, fractures, airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, and emergency childbirth.
Students learn to use and maintain common emergency equipment, such as backboards,
suction devices, splints, oxygen delivery systems, and stretchers. EMT-Defibrillator
training varies throughout the county, but includes recognition of ventricular-fibrillation
and ventricular-tachycardia, and how to use the semi-automated defibrillator. Prerequisites
for taking the EMT-D are current EMT-Basic certification , current CPR certification,
and required classroom work. Refresher courses and continuing education are available
for EMT's at all levels. Refresher and CPR courses are also offered
throughout the year.
Graduates of approved
EMT-Basic training programs who pass a written and practical examination administered
by the State certifying agency or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
earn the title of Registered EMT-Basic.
To maintain our certifications, all EMT's
must re-certify, usually every 2 -3 years. In order to re-certify, an individual
must be working as an EMT and meet a continuing education requirement.
EMT's
should
have good dexterity, a strong disposition, physical coordination and be able to lift
and carry heavy loads. EMT's need good eyesight (corrective lenses may be used) with
accurate color vision.
Some EMT's go on to become EMT instructors, paramedics,
firefighters, dispatchers, or police officers. Some simply become EMT's to assess
their interest in health care and then decide to return to school and become R.N.'s,
physician's assistants or physicians themselves.
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