A  Michigan Jobs & Career Portal   service.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT 's) work as members of pre-hospital emergency care medical teams.  They administer first-aid treatment and other emergency care to sick or injured persons and transport them to medical facilities. There are currently five levels of licensure for EMT 's in Michigan : EMT -Basic (or EMT -Ambulance), EMT -Intermediate (or EMT - Specialist), EMT -Advanced (or Paramedic), EMT -Instructor-Coordinator, and EMT -First Responder.

JOB DUTIES 

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Personnel may:

Respond to emergency calls from a dispatcher

Determine the nature and extent of illness and injury

Establish priorities in determining procedures to be followed for emergency first aid or assistance

using correct tools and techniques to free trapped victims safely

Look for medical identification emblems indicating diabetes, epilepsy, or other conditions

Provide emergency medical care such as controlling bleeding, applying bandages and splints, and providing Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Communicate with professional medical personnel at the emergency treatment facility to obtain instructions for further treatment and approval for complex procedures and to arrange for reception of victims at the facility

Request additional help, including special rescue and utility services

Notify proper authorities in case of death and arrange for protection of the deceased's property

Cover patients, place them on a stretcher, and lift them into the ambulance

Secure patients and stretchers for the ambulance ride

Report observations orally and in writing

Watch patients constantly and report by radio or other means to the hospital

Operate equipment such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators and bag-valve mask resuscitators in advance life-support environments

Help transfer patients from the ambulance to the emergency room

Maintain a clean, well-equipped ambulance

Decontaminate following treatment of patient with infectious diseases and report case to proper authorities

Reassure patients and bystanders

Create a safe traffic environment

Work with various public safety agencies

Gain access to buildings and vehicles

Participate in first-aid training programs for the general public

Click  here   to watch Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) at work!

In addition to the above duties, EMT -Specialists are licensed to administer specific intravenous therapy and maintain open airway passages for breathing. Paramedics are involved in the administration of drugs, defibrillation (using an electrical device to shock a stopped heart into action), and the interpretation of electrocardiograph data as well as the duties of EMT -Specialists.

Specialists and paramedics can perform these duties only under direct communication with a licensed physician located at a facility approved by the Dept. of Public Health.

The tools and equipment used may include: 

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

079.364-026  PARAMEDIC - perform work similar to EMT at an advanced level. May also serve as team lead.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts: 

[back to top]

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Personnel usually work in teams of two and may be members of a hospital emergency department, police or fire department, rescue squad, volunteer service, or private ambulance company. EMT 's, by law, are supervised by a physician or a registered nurse. They may also be assisted by licensed ambulance attendants.

In field operations, they tend to work closely with law enforcement and fire agencies. They work both indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather and are exposed to a variety of traffic and environmental conditions. There is the possibility of injury from muscle strains and falls, as well as exposure to infectious disease from patients.

Working hours may vary from one employer to another. Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Personnel employed by the fire departments often have a 56-hour workweek with 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty. Those employed by hospitals, private firms, or police departments usually work 40 or more hours a week. Because ambulance services function 24 hours a day, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Personnel often works nights, weekends, and holidays.

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Personnel may belong to associations such as  The Michigan Association of Emergency Medical Technicians , The Michigan Association of Ambulance Services , and/or employee organizations where they work. Members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities which require working with and helping people

You Should Be Able To:

• See differences in shapes, shadings, and measurements

• Use reason and logic

• Communicate with people calmly and effectively

• Make judgments about proper use of first aid

• Use good judgment under stress and have leadership ability

• Present a neat, clean appearance and a pleasant personality

• Give and receive oral and written directions

• Document clearly and concisely all duties performed 

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve: 

How many equivalents of sodium are there in a solution containing 0.9g of NaCl/100ml? 

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend: 

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding into the subarachnoid space, which may occur after trauma or after rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. 

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce: 

Prepare a written observation for authorities after responding to an emergency call where an individual has been shot. 

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate: 

Must be detail oriented and be able to make decisions under pressure. 

The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation. Click here   for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), First Responder, Instructor-Coordinator, Specialist, Paramedic, and Basic for specific licensing information. 

[back to top]

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES 

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation. 

Training is given also by fire, police and health departments and hospitals and is conducted under the direction of physicians, registered nurses or licensed EMT instructor-coordinators. 

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***   

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH, 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3300 TECHNOLOGY 

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***   

052 PUBLIC SAFETY/PROTECTIVE SERVICE  

Approved vocational education programs in Public Safety & Protective Services prepare students in security, corrections, law enforcement, firefighting, and/or emergency medical technology. The 2 phase program teaches foundation skills as well as a set of common public safety & protective service skills that are generic to all like occupations. 

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center. 

Students should obtain the local  Education & Training Opportunities  for information on what happens to students who successfully complete a program. This information is available at each high school or career/technical center. 

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***   

056 EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Programs in Emergency Medical Technology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform life support and emergency care procedures.

Courses vary from school to school but may include: 

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program   

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***   

019 FIRE MEDIC  

Some people enter occupations within this Career Exploration Script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job. 

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB 

Apprenticeship programs for these occupations usually begin with a 4 or 6 weeks recruit training course which is held in a fire station and which includes: 

WHAT IS LEAR NED IN THE CLASSROOM 

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***   

Please check the Military web site at  http://www.myfuture.com . 

MEDICAL SERVICE TECHNICIANS   

In emergencies or in combat, physicians are not always immediately available to treat the injured or wounded. When a doctor is not available, medical service technicians provide basic and emergency medical treatment. They also assist medical officers in caring for sick and injured patients. 

What They Do   

Medical service technicians in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Examine and treat emergency or battlefield patients

• Interview patients and record their medical histories

• Take patients' temperature, pulse, and blood pressure

• Prepare blood samples for laboratory analysis

• Keep health records and clinical files up to date

• Give shots and medicines to patients 

Helpful Attributes   

Helpful school subjects include chemistry, biology, psychology, general science, and algebra. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in helping and caring for others

• Ability to communicate effectively

• Ability to work under stressful conditions 

Work Environment   

Medical service technicians usually work in hospitals and clinics on land or aboard ships. Medical service technicians may give emergency medical treatment in the field. 

Training Provided 

Job training consists of 16 to 54 weeks of classroom instruction, depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Emergency medical treatment

• Basic nursing care

• Study of the human body

• Minor surgical procedures

• Clinical laboratory procedures

• Methods for diagnosing diseases 

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. 

Physical Demands   

Medical service technicians may have to lift and carry wounded or injured personnel during emergency situations. Air medical evacuation specialists must pass a flight physical exam. 

Civilian Counterparts   

Civilian medical service technicians work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. They perform duties similar to those performed by medical service technicians in the military. Civilian medical service technicians are known for the type of work they do: emergency medical technicians treat victims of accidents, fire, or heart attacks; medical assistants works for physicians and perform routine medical and clerical tasks; medication aides give shots and medicine under the close supervision of physicians; and physician assistants perform routine examinations and treatment for physicians.

Opportunities   

The exact number of medical service technicians is unknown. After job training, technicians are assigned to serve in their medical specialty. They work under the direction and supervision of medical officers and experienced medical service technicians. Eventually, they may advance to supervisory positions and help manage a medical facility. 

E-Learning Courses and Programs    

[back to top]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY   

Experience may be obtained by working as a volunteer EMT . Related health occupations, such as nurse aide/orderly, offer opportunities to observe EMT 's at work. Formal apprenticeships, all branches of the military, and postsecondary education programs in emergency medical technology all provide opportunities for experience. 

School-to-Work opportunities include: 

Informal apprenticeships 

Mentorships 

J ob shadow experiences 

Touring a local Emergency Medical Technicians employer 

I nternships 

V olunteer work with a Emergency Medical Technicians employer 

Community service work with an agency

To obtain a job as an Emergency Medical Technician, apply or volunteer directly to employers such as fire departments and hospitals. A Civil Service examination is usually required to work for a government agency. The fire-medic apprenticeship program for fire fighters is another means of entry. Assistance may be available through a local office of Michigan Works!. Job openings may be listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as: 

JEMS   

MAEMT Employment Center   

MAAS Employment Opportunity   

Med Hunters   

Health Career Web   

Health Jobs USA   

Comp Health   

Monster Healthcare   

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal   

Michigan Talent Bank   

simplyhired.com   

Indeed | one search. all jobs.    

Yahoo! hotjobs

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

[back to top]

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT   

Earnings of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Personnel depend on the type of employer, training and experience of the individual EMT, and geographic location of employment. Some EMT 's may be paid on a per "run" or an on-call basis. 

Nationally, the average annual salary range (late 2008) of EMTs were: 

Nationally, the median annual earnings of Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics were $39,260 in 2008. The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $37,544 in 2008. 

In Michigan, Emergency Medical Technicians (Basic) earned an average annual salary between $19,798 and $39,393 (late 2008). Paramedics earned a slightly higher annual salary from $27,454 to $45,142. Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Personnel in police, fire, or safety positions earned salaries corresponding to their grade or rank.

In early 2009, EMT  's employed by the City of Detroit  earned: 

Emergency Medical Personnel may receive paid vacations and holidays; sick leave; life, disability, and health insurance; and a retirement plan. Some employers may provide uniforms or a uniform allowance. 

With experience and additional training, pre-hospital emergency care personnel may become an EMT -Advanced. Advancement for some may be a move to a larger hospital emergency department or police or fire rescue squad where they have more responsibility or higher wages. EMT 's need further experience and education to qualify as director of an emergency medical service program or related positions. 

[back to top]

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK   

Nationally (2006), about 201,100 individuals worked as paid Emergency Medical Technicians. In addition, some also worked as volunteers on rescue squads, associated with fire departments for the most part. Employment of Emergency Medical Technicians is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. The industry distribution for Emergency Medical Technicians looked like this: 

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.   

Employment of Emergency Medical Technicians in Michigan is expected to grow faster than the average of all occupations through the year 2016. An average of 130 combined annual openings is expected with 60 due to growth and 70 due to the need to replace those who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Additional openings will occur to replace Emergency Medical Technicians who transfer to other jobs or occupations for other reasons, including stress from treating patients in life-or-death situations. 

There are approximately 6,125 licensed pre-hospital emergency care personnel, employed in Michigan. Many pre-hospital emergency care personnel work for police and fire departments and private ambulance companies.  Some pre-hospital emergency care personnel are employed on hospital-based ambulance squads. Most funeral homes no longer provide ambulance services. 

The demand for full-time Emergency Medical Technicians in Michigan should increase as more and more communities change from volunteer to paid ambulance services. The aging of Michigan's population and the increasing life expectancy of both females and males will have an impact on employment. An older population tends to require more health services, including emergency medical care. 

Employment will also be positively affected as a result of the Michigan law which requires that mobile emergency care services have at least one licensed EMT in the patient area of the ambulance during transport. In recent years, the number of specialists has increased significantly. However, several factors which may constrain job growth are growing training and equipment costs for EMT 's, termination of federal start-up funds, and availability of unpaid volunteers. 

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth