Life support technician

Life Support Technician is a professional role in the field of healthcare and emergency services. These individuals are trained to provide life-sustaining measures in a pre-hospital setting, often in emergency situations where immediate medical attention is required.

Role and Responsibilities

A Life Support Technician's primary responsibility is to provide basic and advanced life support care to patients who are critically ill or injured. This includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), defibrillation, and the administration of life-saving medications. They also assist in the transportation of patients to medical facilities, ensuring the patient's stability during transport.

Life Support Technicians work closely with other healthcare professionals such as paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and nurses. They are often the first responders to emergency situations, making their role crucial in the chain of survival.

Training and Certification

To become a Life Support Technician, individuals must complete a training program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. This training typically covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, emergency medical procedures, and patient assessment.

Upon completion of the training program, individuals must pass a certification exam to demonstrate their competency in providing life support care. In the United States, this certification is often provided by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

Employment and Outlook

Life Support Technicians are employed by a variety of organizations, including ambulance services, hospitals, and fire departments. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for EMTs and paramedics, which includes Life Support Technicians, is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.

See Also

• Emergency medical services
• Paramedic
• Emergency medical technician