Paramedics are typically first responders at emergency situations such as car wrecks, fires and shootings as well as such medical emergencies as a coronary event, childbirth, home injury or other life and death situation. Using skills and special equipment, they evaluate a victim's injuries, stabilize the person and transport her to a hospital for further treatment.
Emergency medical technician-basic coursework provides the most essential skills for a first responder. The EMT-Basic is trained to administer first aid, handle heart attacks, control bleeding and shock, aid in emergency childbirth, resolve respiratory problems and generally assess the patient's condition before and during transport to a hospital.
An EMT-Intermediate certificate offers advanced skills. At Central New Mexico Community College, EMT-Intermediate training requires prerequisite courses or a current New Mexico EMT-B license and an additional seven semester-hours in paramedic theory, clinical and laboratory experiences. At Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, the EMT-Intermediate courses focus on administering medications, patient assessment, administering intravenous fluids and critical thinking and decision-making under stress.
Most paramedic services require a two-year associate degree. Oregon's Rogue Community College's Emergency Medical Technology two-year paramedic degree program covers anatomy and physiology and includes courses such as patient rescue and transport, crisis management and prevention, and extensive laboratory and clinical experiences. Columbus State Community College offers a series of distinctive EMT courses such as emergency psychiatric intervention and specific courses in rescue scenarios such as river, ice and cold water, confined space and vertical.
While it is an important and critical skill, driving an ambulance is a paramedic's secondary responsibility. In California, ambulance drivers must pass an exam to be certified. In Minnesota, the ambulance driver must hold a valid driving license and pass an emergency vehicle driving course.
Paramedics are generally required to be licensed and/or certified in the state where they work. However, many states require paramedics to have passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification examination that includes both cognitive and psychomotor examinations. A two and a half hour computer-based exam, the cognitive exam assesses the paramedic's knowledge of such common EMT situations as heart attacks, obstructed airways, trauma, child birth and other areas. The psychomotor test evaluates the paramedic's hands-on skills in 12 scenario-based exams of specific skills and abilities. Some states require a combination of the NREMT exam and a state-based test.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 paramedics earned an average of $30,000 to $33,000 annually, with a high end at more than $51,000. Employment opportunities are expected to remain strong through 2018, particularly in urban areas and with private ambulance services. The Rural Assistance Center points out that paramedics are needed in rural areas; however, funding is limited and most EMTs are volunteers.