EMT-Bs usually work on ambulances or in hospitals and they usually work 12-hour shifts.
An EMT-B cannot give a patient medications or insert IVs, but they can do many other things. EMTs can splint broken bones, administer oral glucose for high blood pressure or administer oxygen in many situations. An EMT-Bs main task is to get the patient to the hospital as quickly and as safely as possible.
While EMT-Bs and paramedics made a median $14.10 per hour in May 2008, and the field is growing as fast as average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were 210,700 people employed as EMTs and paramedics in 2008.
While being an EMT can be very rewarding, it can also be very stressful. EMTs usually see people at their worst. EMTs sometimes work odd hours, such as during the night and weekends and holidays.
There are three levels of EMT certification: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic. Some people work as an EMT-B during the day and take one of the advanced classes at night.