EMT Paramedic & Career Options
The demand for emergency medical services continues to increase with EMT job growth expected to rise by 9% over the next few years for both EMT Basic and EMT Paramedic. In particular, an EMT paramedic will enjoy good job security, as emergency services and EMT trained personnel are an essential part of the healthcare system. Need for those certified in EMT training and paramedic training is on the rise. Availability of EMS courses are on the rise. According to labor market statistics, job growth for emergency medical personnel through 2012 will grow faster than the normal job market. One reason is due to the baby boomer generation who are entering into retirement age. As this aging population requires more need for medical care and services, the demand for EMT Paramedics rises and EMT training becomes a valuable education.
EMT paramedics have a higher level of training than the EMT Basic. The basic courses for EMT training certification can be as short as 12 weeks or as long as 6 months. The EMT paramedic training required to become a licensed paramedic can take 12 to 24 months on average. Regardless of the EMT training, these EMT responders are in demand in a variety of fields offering a wide choice of vocational paths.
Career options for EMTs and EMT paramedics are numerous and can vary widely depending upon geographic locations. Once certified through EMT training, emergency medical personnel work as an ambulance paramedic (including private ambulance services), fire department paramedic, hospital staff, rescue worker, emergency room technician, law enforcement paramedic, and life-flight (helicopter) paramedic.
Other fields of expertise where EMTs and EMT paramedics are found include such positions as tactical paramedics operating in police units, maritime paramedics, hazardous materials (Hazmat) teams, search and rescue, paramedics on offshore oil platforms, oil and mineral exploration teams, nautical rescue, pharmacist mates on ships, as well as paramedics in the military. These positions require completion of a fully accredited EMT paramedic training program.
Some larger cities in the US and other countries employ an EMT or EMT paramedic as a “cycle responder”, which is a first responder that uses a bicycle to respond to a medical emergency. They are often used by professional ambulance services, police units, or hospitals to respond to emergency calls in areas where sizeable populations are expected to gather. In particular, these EMT cycle responders are used for maneuvering in massive crowds and often cover large public events or celebrations, concerts, sporting events, parades, and even demonstrations. Anywhere that a large volume of people are in attendance, EMT services are needed.
Most employers appear to be requiring an EMT applicant to have at least one-year on the job experience after paramedic training. Upon completing EMT training an EMT Paramedic may have to work in lower paid positions to gain that first year experience in order to secure a higher paying salary. Currently, EMTs and paramedics hold about 201,000 jobs in the United States. Many career EMTs and paramedics work in metropolitan areas. The greatest placement rate appears to be with private ambulance services. The EMT Paramedic also works full time in hospitals within the medical facility or responding to calls in ambulances or helicopters to transport critically ill or injured patients. EMT Certification and licensing is obtained by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the State in which an EMT is practicing. The EMT training and level of paramedic training certification will be one of the main factors determining what career options are available for the EMT.
Another EMT Paramedic career option is the opportunity for job promotion in supervisory roles such 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 who completed EMT paramedic training was $18,000 – $47,000. The largest employment sector for EMT paramedic trained personnel is private ambulance and related health care services. Local governments and hospitals comprise the second largest tier. The highest paying state for those certified through EMT paramedic training is Alaska, possibly due to the complex challenges weather and terrain present for EMT work. Advanced life support and paramedic services are growing for profit, non-profit, private, municipal and hospitals based throughout many regions. 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 EMT training and paramedic courses have the best job prospects. The salary for an EMT Paramedic is highest in Tacoma, Washington, and Olympia, Washington, and lowest in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jackson, Mississippi, and Anderson, Indiana.
Work outside of the country appears to be lucrative with the opportunity to travel for those with EMT training. The EMT Paramedic salary is often double that of the United States and overseas work for private contractors often offers perks such as living quarters with other westerns, generous vacations, stipends for living expenses, and paid air travel.
Whether you are considering work in the private sector, a government entity, inside or outside the United States, there are numerous career opportunities for those pursing EMT paramedic training and certification as an EMT paramedic.
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