Pros and Cons of a Career as a Medical Responder
Medical responders, which includes emergency medical technicians (EMT) and paramedics, are first responders who stabilize patients and transport them to medical facilities. Check out the following pros and cons list to learn more.
| PROS of a Medical Responder Career |
|---|
| Nationwide shortage of these professionals could lead to favorable employment prospects* |
| Entry-level training can be acquired through certificate programs** |
| Job skills and training are transferrable to other health care careers*** |
| Personal satisfaction and pride are common job perks* |
| CONS of Medical Responder Career |
|---|
| Irregular work hours are common (40-hour-plus work weeks)**** |
| Earnings are lower than the national average for all occupations (EMTs' and paramedics' annual salary is around $35,000)**** |
| Opportunities for advancement are limited**** |
| Job risks include on-the-job injury and exposure to contagious diseases**** |
Sources: *U.S. News & World Report, **Western Technical College, ***National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, ****U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Information
Job Description and Duties
Also called emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, medical responders are often the first on the scene of an accident or emergency situation when a person calls 911. As a medical responder, it's your job to stabilize patients and transport them to medical facilities. Other job duties can include preparing initial reports of patients' injuries and vital statistics so you can communicate the necessary information quickly and efficiently to the medical personnel who will take over patient care. You might also transport patients from one facility to another in nonemergency situations or clean ambulances to prevent transmission of disease.
Career Paths
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) has established job duties for several different levels of medical responders. Basic, intermediate and advanced EMTs can be responsible for tasks that range in complexity from controlling bleeding and immobilizing patients with spinal cord injuries to administering IV therapies and using defibrillators. Paramedics are trained to perform the most advanced levels of pre-hospital care, including invasive procedures like endotracheal intubation and intraosseous cannulation, which is the process of administering medication via blood vessels in the bone.
Job Growth and Salary Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), EMTs and paramedics held around 236,000 jobs as of May 2014. Most were employed by ambulance services in larger cities, while smaller municipalities were more likely to use volunteers.
An average job growth of 23% was projected for these professionals during the 2012-2022 decade by the BLS. Employment opportunities were expected to be the result of an increasing number of emergency calls and the need to transport patients to specialized medical facilities in nonemergency situations. Employment growth was also expected for smaller areas where volunteer positions are being converted into paid positions.
What Are the Requirements?
Training
Entry-level medical responders begin their training at the EMT-Basic level and can continue their education to become intermediate EMTs, advanced EMTs or paramedics. Training for each of these types of medical responders is available through certificate programs. If you want to train to be a paramedic, you'll also have the option of completing an associate degree program that includes additional general education coursework.
Lecture courses and laboratory sessions at all levels cover topics in anatomy, physiology, injury assessment, airway management and CPR. These programs also include extensive clinical or internship requirements.
Certification and Licensing
To work as a medical responder, you'll need to either pass a state-issued licensing exam or earn certification through the NREMT. Certifications are available at all levels, but before you can sit for the agency's written and practical examinations, you must first complete an educational program that meets U.S. Department of Transportation training standards. If you're interested in qualifying for intermediate, advanced and paramedic certifications, you'll need to have earned EMT-Basic credentials as well. You must also meet minimum age requirements.
Other Qualifications
This job is not for everyone due to its physical demands, high stress levels and associated job hazards, which include the risk of exposure to disease, the physical strain of lifting and moving patients and the emotional toll of working with those who are mentally ill or uncooperative. Not surprisingly, employers look for individuals who can not only administer life-saving medical interventions, but also possess the communications skills and emotional stability needed to interact with patients and receive instruction from other medical personnel once they arrive at a hospital.
Job Postings from Real Employers
According to job postings in March 2012, employers look for applicants who have been nationally certified or locally licensed. Most employers also have a minimum age requirements. Other qualifications listed by employers are outlined in the following job posts:
- A security company in Florida is seeking an EMT who can pass a drug test and extensive background check that includes criminal history and driving records.
- An ambulance company in Indiana is looking for an EMT with a clean driving record. Applicants must also be able to meet the continuing education requirements needed to maintain certification.
- A South Carolina healthcare facility is seeking a paramedic who can fulfill some supervisory responsibilities. Applicants will need three years of full-time experience in the field and a certificate or associate degree. Applicants with a bachelor's degree are preferred.
How to Maximize Your Skills
The BLS explains that the best employment prospects might be reserved for medical responders who've received advanced training, since employers look for applicants who can provide high levels of patient care. Once you've completed an EMT-Basic training program, you might consider enrolling in an intermediate or advanced program.
You might also look into working as a volunteer to gain experience before applying for paid positions. Additionally, if you live in a jurisdiction that only requires medical responders to pass state-administered exams, earning national certification from the NREMT could also help you stand out in the job field, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Alternative Career Paths
Firefighter
If you're still interested in receiving medical responder training, but would like to pursue a career with better employment prospects, you might want to consider becoming a firefighter. In addition to earning EMT certification, these first responders must complete a fire department training program. The projected job growth for firefighters was 19% from 2008-2018, according to the BLS. Moreover, these professionals earned higher average wages of around $48,000 as of May 2010.
Registered Nurse
If providing patient care in nonemergency situations sounds more appealing, you might consider becoming a registered nurse. To prepare for a job in this field you'll need to complete 2-4 years of college education in addition to earning passing scores on the National Council Licensure Examination. However, the employment outlook for this field is excellent. A 22% job growth was projected from 2008-2018. The average salary for registered nurses was also quite a bit higher than those of EMTs. Registered nurses earned about $68,000 per year, on average, according to the BLS.
Physician Assistant
You might also consider a career as a physician assistant. While degree programs in this field can be completed in as little as two years, the BLS explains that most accredited programs award bachelor's and master's degrees. All states also require passing scores on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination. However, this extra investment of your time and effort could pay off in the long run. The mean annual salary for these professionals was just over $87,000. The BLS also projected job opportunities for physician assistants to increase 39% for the 2008-2018 decade.
