Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics

THE JOB

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN-Is (EMT-Is ) are skilled medical workers who 
respond by ambulance to medical emergencies for the injured and ill.  They 
are sent to emergencies by specially trained dispatchers who maintain radio 
contact or patch them through to medical professionals for ongoing 
instructions.  Following instructions, they examine victims to determine the 
nature and extent of injury or illness and administer first aid and 
emergency basic life support (BLS), such as giving oxygen and doing 
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (heart/lung revival).  They continue the BLS 
treatment during transport to hospitals.  They help the emergency room staff 
do pre-admittance treatment and obtain medical histories.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN-IIs (EMT-IIs) perform all of the tasks required 
of EMT-Is plus more complex procedures such as inserting intravenous 
catheters, administering intravenous glucose solutions, administering a 
limited number of drugs, and obtaining blood samples for laboratory 
analysis.  In certain emergency situations, the EMT-IIs may be approved to 
perform advanced life support procedures.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN-PARAMEDICS (EMT-Ps) belong to the same group of 
emergency medical occupations as EMT-Is and EMT-IIs.  They are the most 
highly trained workers of the group and are skilled medical care givers, 
trained in all phases of emergency, pre-hospital care, including emergency 
advanced life support (ALS) treatment.  They give immediate help to 
victims -- of accident or sudden illness -- at the scene and continue during 
ambulance transport to hospitals.  Under the direction of a physician, 
paramedics can administer some drugs orally or by injection, insert 
breathing-aid devices, use stomach suction equipment, use and interpret 
heart monitoring equipment and do other emergency medical procedures during 
the ambulance ride.

EMTs are trained on ambulance operations and procedures.  They drive 
emergency vehicles with special communication and medical equipment and 
check their vehicles daily and keep them in excellent condition and well 
stocked with medical supplies.


WORKING CONDITIONS

EMTs, usually working in two-person teams, must maneuver safely and quickly 
through traffic while obeying traffic safety laws.  Their response times are 
carefully tracked, and they are expected to reach the emergency scene within 
a specified number of minutes.  Their very important work saves many lives, 
but it also deals with human suffering and, often, tragedy.  Sometimes 
children are the victims.  They cope with all kinds of emergencies involving 
many people -- from victims of heart attacks to multiple vehicle accidents 
or natural disasters like earthquakes and floods.  Sometimes the injured are 
trapped in wreckage.  Technicians must deal with both upset or distraught 
victims and excited bystanders while controlling the scene with calmness and 
a reassuring manner.

Turnover for this occupational field is high.  This is mainly due to the 
unusual work hours and the stress brought on by constantly working in a 
crisis environment.

Most EMTs work for private ambulance companies.  Some EMT-Ps work for city 
and county emergency services agencies.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1990             8,270
Estimated number of workers in 2005            10,640
Projected Growth Percentage 1990-2005             29%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005   1,270

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

Employment of EMTs by the year 2005 is expected to be above the average 
growth for all occupations primarily because of the rapidly expanding aging 
population.  Recent surveys show that there is more demand for EMT-Ps, who 
are usually placed as soon as they complete required certification because 
of their advanced training and experience.

The Emergency Medical Services Authority estimates that there are
approximately 35,000 EMT-Is, and 6,000-7,000 EMT-Ps currently certified in 
California.  No information exists on the number of certified EMTs who are 
actually working in the job classification, but the large number of 
certificates does not reflect an accurate picture of worker supply and 
demand.  Many firefighters and police offices have EMT certificates; in 
these occupations it is only part of the job requirement rather than the 
entire job.


WAGES, HOURS AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Salary ranges vary widely between geographical areas and employers who may 
be private or public ambulance service organizations.  The following 
information shows hourly wages for entry, experienced and journey-level and 
is from recent county surveys of EMT salaries.

Emergency Medical Technician I
Entry                         $4.25-11.80
Experienced                   $4.50-13.90
Journey level                 $4.75-16.30

Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
Entry                         $6.50-13.50
Experienced                   $6.50-18.75
Journey level                 $7.75-20.50

Data from a 1995 California State Fire Service Salary Survey revealed that 
in 11 metropolitan fire departments, the average paramedic pay ranged from 
$21.00 per hour to $26.00 per hour and EMTs earned from $19.00 to $24.00 an 
hour.

Fringe benefits usually include: paid vacation, sick leave, medical, dental 
and vision insurance, and retirement plans.  Many employers pay for life 
insurance.  A few now have on-site child care for employees' use, a real 
plus for this around-the-clock, seven-day-week occupation.  Their schedule 
may include a 48-hour shift, followed by several days off.  EMTs are 
expected to work evenings, weekends and holidays.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority and county EMS offices 
certify EMT-Is, EMT-IIs and EMT-Ps based on the following requirements:

EMT-I: (certified by county EMS offices)

 -- Minimum age: 18
 -- Approved EMT training - 100 hours
 -- Supervised clinical experience - 10 hours
 -- Valid California driver's license
 -- 24 Hours of Refresher training or continuing education every two years
 -- Length of certification -- two years
 -- Tested for recertification every four years

EMT-II: (certified by county EMS offices)
 -- Minimum age: 18
 -- High school diploma or equivalent
 -- EMT-I certification and one year field experience
 -- Minimum of 210 hours of approved classroom and skills laboratory
    training
 -- 96 hours clinical training & field internship
 -- Minimum of 20 emergency advance life support patient contacts
 -- Recertification examination every two years
 -- 48 hours of continuing education every two years
 -- Six field care audits of patient care records yearly

EMT-P: (licensed by State EMS Authority)
 -- Age 18 with high school diploma or equivalent
 -- Valid EMT-l/II certificate
 -- 320 hours-Approved classroom and skills laboratory
 -- Approved hospital clinical training -- 160 hours
 -- Approved field internship - 460 hours with a minimum of 40 patient 
    contacts who required emergency advanced life support assistance
 -- Continuing education every two years - 48 hours including 12 hours of
    field care audits
 -- Licensed by state

Paramedics with military experience who are on the national registry are 
eligible to challenge the skills exam to meet registration requirements set 
by the State EMS Authority.  Additional training may be required.

There are over 200 EMT-I and eight EMT-II training sites in California.  
There are 31 EMT-P sites located in the larger metropolitan areas of the 
state.


ADVANCEMENT

EMT-Is take additional training to enter the advanced EMT-II and EMT-P 
classification.  Some transfer into dispatcher jobs.  EMT-Ps may become 
supervisors or trainers or move to jobs in the emergency room as 
paramedics.  Some take additional medical training to be LVNs or RNs.


FINDING THE JOB

Job seekers who want to become EMT-I trainees may contact the EMS office in 
their county or in any county they wish to work.  Qualified EMT-Is, EMT-IIs, 
and Paramedics are encouraged to register with the EMS office in the county 
or counties where they want to work.

Job seekers should also apply directly to ambulance companies.  Some city 
and county medical-provider agencies have a separate classification for EMTs.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

California Emergency Medical Services Authority 
1930 9th Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 322-4336
http://www.emsa.cahwnet.gov

Local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies serve each county.  Call the 
California Emergency Medical Services Authority, or visit their website, 
for a list of these agencies.


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner             No.   29
Licensed Vocational Nurse                           No.  313
Firefighters                                        No.  241
Home Health Aide                                    No.  461
Medical Assistant                                   No.  513


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
  Emergency Medical Technician          079.374-010
  Paramedic                             079.364-026

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System 
  Emergency Medical Technicians-I            325081
  Emergency Medical Technicians-II           325082
  Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic    325083



Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department, Labor 
         Market Information Division, Information Services Group, 
         (916) 262-2162.