EMTs and paramedics are typically dispatched by 911 to medical and other emergencies. They assess the nature of the patient’s condition while trying to determine whether the patient has any pre-existing medical conditions. Following medical protocols and guidelines, they provide appropriate emergency care and, when necessary, transport the patient. Some paramedics are trained to treat patients with minor injuries on the scene of an accident or they may treat them at their home without transporting them to a medical facility. At the medical facility, EMTs and paramedics help transfer patients to the emergency department, report their observations and actions to emergency department staff, and may provide additional emergency treatment. EMTs and paramedics also provide transportation for patients from one medical facility to another, particularly if they work for private ambulance services. Patients often need to be transferred to a hospital that specializes in their injury or illness or to a nursing home. EMTs and paramedics differ in that EMTs provide basic life support and paramedic provide advanced life support.

EMT / Paramedic Certification
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies emergency medical service providers at five levels. Some States, however, have their own certification programs and use distinct names and titles. All 50 States require certification. To maintain certification, EMTs and paramedics must recertify, usually every 2 years.

EMT / Paramedic Career Outlook
Employment of emergency medical technicians and paramedics is expected to grow by 19 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Full-time paid EMTs and paramedics will be needed to replace unpaid volunteers. It is becoming increasing difficult for emergency medical services to recruit and retain unpaid volunteers because of the amount of training and the large time commitment these positions require.

EMT / Paramedic Salary
Earnings of EMTs and paramedics depend on the employment setting and geographic location of their jobs, as well as their training and experience. Paramedics earn a median salary of $38,071 with the 75th percentile earning $43,175. EMTs earn an average of $38,000. Salaries can vary greatly based on many factors such as location, experience, employer, etc.

Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) - Diploma (Greenacres FL campus)
The Emergency Medical Technician Program provides learning experiences that enable the student to acquire and assimilate the necessary technical competencies to function effectively as a supportive health care provider at the basic pre-hospital level. This program is designed to prepare the student for a career in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Field as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic in accordance with the Department of Transportation National EMT-B curriculum.

Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) / Paramedic - Diploma (Greenacres FL campus)
The (EMT-B)-Paramedic Program provides learning experiences that enable the student to acquire and assimilate the necessary technical competencies to function effectively as a supportive health care provider. This program is designed to prepare the student for a career in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Field as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic in accordance with the Department of Transportation National Standard curriculum. Paramedics are highly trained members of the health-care community who utilize clinical decision making to formulate a field impression in order to provide basic and advanced life support. Paramedics are responsible for bringing life-saving diagnostic and treatment skills to the patient at the scene of an emergency. As the highest level “out-of-hospital” healthcare provider, the paramedic acts as a team leader during an ambulance response to medical emergencies, rescue operations, mass casualty situations, and crime scenes.

Paramedic - Associate of Science (Greenacres FL campus)
Paramedics are highly trained members of the health-care community who utilize clinical decision making to formulate a field impression in order to provide basic and advanced life support. Paramedics are responsible for bringing life-saving diagnostic and treatment skills to the patient at the scene of an emergency. Paramedics receive intense training in EMT-Paramedic is recognized as an allied health occupation in which healthcare workers respond and provide immediate treatment to victims of illness or injury. As the highest level “out-of-hospital” healthcare provider, the paramedic acts as a team leader during an ambulance response to medical emergencies, rescue operations, mass casualty situations, and crime scenes. This is the second level for a career in Emergency Medical Services. A diploma will be awarded upon successful completion of this program. Credits earned in the Paramedic program can be applied toward an A.S. degree in Emergency Medical Services.

Emergency Medical Services - Associate of Science (Greenacres FL campus)
Emergency Medical Services is an Associate of Science Degree program which encompasses two occupational opportunities, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic. Most students complete this program in units; starting with the EMT-B Diploma Program, then proceeding to the Paramedic Diploma program, and finally completing the additional general education courses required for the Associate of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services. In addition, the Associate of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services program is designed for certified, professionally employed paramedics who want to pursue a degree.

Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate - Diploma (Smyrna/Atlanta GA campus)
The Objective of the EMT- Intermediate program is to train students for Certification as a Georgia Emergency Medical Technician. The course is based on the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines for EMT intermediate course curriculum, including but not limited to: Preparation and Introduction to Emergency Medical Care, Patient Assessment and Basic Life Support, Medical Behavioral emergencies, obstetrics, gynecology, trauma, infants and children, and EMS operations. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the National Registry.

Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) - Diploma (Centerville OH campus)
This program includes all skills necessary for the individual to provide emergency medical care at a basic life support level with an ambulance service or other specialized service. EMT-Bs provide services in an environment requiring special skills and knowledge in such areas as communications, documentation and transportation.

Paramedic - Diploma (Centerville OH campus)
This program will prepare students to work as a paramedic, offering patients with advance life support, such as IVs, administering medication, etc.

Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) - Diploma (Essington/Philadelphia PA campus)
This program includes all skills necessary for the individual to provide emergency medical care at a basic life support level with an ambulance service or other specialized service. EMT-Bs provide services in an environment requiring special skills and knowledge in such areas as communications, documentation and transportation. This program provides an introduction to these concepts and the protocols applicable to Basic Life Support services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Emergency Medical Technology (EMT-B) - Diploma (Roanoke Valley VA campus)
This EMT-B program exceeds the standards and curriculum established by the US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. Graduates will qualify to take both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians’ EMT-Basic examination.

Emergency Medical Technology / Paramedic - Associate Degree (Roanoke Valley VA campus)
The Paramedic Program is designed to give students the knowledge, skills and experience to provide a high level of life-saving emergency medical care to those that are sick or injured in a variety of urban and rural healthcare settings. Our program exceeds the standards and curriculum established by the US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration and is fully accredited by the Virginia Department of Health. Graduates will qualify to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians' paramedic examination, which is required for paramedic certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia.