Emergency Medical Technician & Paramedic

An Emergency Medical Technician provides life-saving care to patients at the scene of an emergency and during transportation in an ambulance en route to a hospital. EMTs assess critical illness and injuries, provide first aid treatment, and perform basic life-saving health care.

Education Requirements

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Completion of an EMT training program

Licensure/Registration/Certification Requirements

  • Registered Emergency Medical Technician
  • State License (as applicable)

A Paramedic is a first responder who provides initial emergency and advanced life support measures on neonatal, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients. Paramedics are leaders of the rescue team and have more advanced training than EMTs. Paramedics can perform complex medical procedures such as inserting IV lines, administering drugs, and applying pacemakers. In the hospital the paramedic works under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.

Education Requirements

  • Associate’s Degree
  • Completion of EMT/Paramedic Training

Experience Requirements

6 months or work as EMT

Licensure/Registration/Certification Requirements

  • Paramedic Certification from National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
  • State License (as applicable)
View from inside ambulance of uniformed emergency services workers caring for patient on stretcher