Career Options For The EMT Paramedic
Sunday, July 11th, 2010Demand for emergency medical services continues to increase and job growth for EMTs and paramedics will be excellent. EMT Paramedics will enjoy good job security, as emergency services are an essential part of the healthcare system. According to labor market statistics, job growth for emergency medical personnel through 2012 will grow faster than normal. Many people born during the ten-year period 1950 to 1960 are now the aging population and will require more medical care encouraging the demand for EMT Paramedics.
The emergency medical personnel work as ambulance driver paramedics, fire department medics, hospital staff, rescue workers, emergency room technicians, and even work for private ambulance companies. Many individuals work with local government law enforcement and fire departments earning greater rates of pay. They often receive civil service wages and benefits including coverage by pension plans. Many of these plans provide retirement and half pay after 20 years of service is the worker is disabled in the line of duty.
Most employers appear to be looking for at least one-year experience, so graduating EMT Paramedics may have to work as hospital ambulance drivers or in other lower paid positions for that first year experience in order to demand a higher paying salary. EMTs and paramedics hold about 201,000 jobs in the United States. Most career EMTs and paramedics work in metropolitan areas. Paid EMTs and paramedics are employed in a number of industries. The greatest placement rate appears to be with private ambulance services. The EMT Paramedics also work full time in hospitals within the medical facility or responding to calls in ambulances or helicopters to transport critically ill or injured patients. Certification is handled by either the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and/or the State in which an EMT is practicing. Although certification is not required, it builds credibility with employers and can increase earnings.
Job promotion and upward mobility occurs in supervisory roles, as operations managers, administrative directors, or executive directors of emergency services. EMT Paramedics also become instructors, dispatchers, or physician assistants. In 2007, the annual wage range for EMTs was $18,000 - $47,000. The largest employer type is private ambulatory and related health care services. Local governments and hospitals comprise the second largest tier. The highest paying state for EMTs is Alaska, possibly due to the complex challenges weather and terrain present for EMT work. Advanced life support/paramedic services are growing (for profit, non-profit, private, and municipal and hospital based) throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania. California ambulance services were paying 57,000 for paramedics three years ago. Competition is strong for positions provided by local governments and independent third-service rescue squad departments due to providing higher salaries and better benefits. Those with advanced education and certifications have the best job prospects. The salary for EMT Paramedic is highest in Tacoma, Washington, Olympia, Washington, lowest in Cedar Rapids Iowa, Jackson, Mississippi, and Anderson, Indiana.
Work outside of the country in Saudi Arabia also appears to be lucrative with the opportunity for travel. United States emergency medical personnel work most often in clinical settings as primary care providers. . The EMT Paramedic salary is often double that of the United States and overseas work for private contractors often offers living quarters with other westerns, generous vacations, and stipends for living expenses, and paid air travel.