Emergency Medical Technician

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a healthcare professional who provides emergency medical services. EMTs are most commonly found working in ambulances, but should not be confused with "ambulance drivers" or "ambulance attendants" – terms which are outdated and inaccurate as they do not adequately describe the high level of patient care provided by modern EMTs.

History

The concept of the EMT has its roots in the military and civil defense sectors. The first EMTs were often military medics or civil defense personnel who had received additional medical training to provide care in the civilian sector. The profession has evolved significantly since its inception, with modern EMTs being highly trained and capable healthcare providers.

Roles and Responsibilities

EMTs are responsible for responding to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. They are trained to assess a patient's condition and to manage respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies. EMTs also transport patients from one medical facility to another, particularly if a higher level of care is needed.

Training and Certification

Training for EMTs varies by country and region. In the United States, EMT training programs typically take one to two years to complete and include instruction in assessing patients' conditions, dealing with trauma and cardiac emergencies, clearing obstructed airways, using field equipment, and handling emergencies.

Levels of EMT

There are several levels of EMT, each with different training and scope of practice. These include EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and Paramedic. The EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic levels require more advanced training and have a broader scope of practice than the EMT-Basic level.

See Also

• Paramedic
• Emergency medical services
• Ambulance