Benefits of Becoming an EMT or an EMS Provider in New York
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics are often the first members of the health care team to respond to an accident, fire, heart attack, drowning, or other medical emergencies. The responsibility of making life and death decisions, then taking action based on those decisions, is part of the everyday job. EMTs and paramedics work under physical and emotional stress, using special training to assess and care for the immediate medical needs of emergency patients and transport them safely to the hospital. They communicate with physicians at an appropriate hospital for instructions about treatment, approval of procedures and arrangements for receiving the patient. During transport, EMTs and paramedics will transmit vital signs and other information about the injured and receive medical instructions from a hospital-based physician. Depending on the level of training and certification, the EMT and paramedic perform functions which range from basic life support, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), to active life support including administration of drugs; placing patients on stretchers and lifting them into and out of the ambulance; observing, recording and reporting the patient's condition; and keeping detailed records about the treatment of patients while in their care. Maintaining the ambulance equipment and participating in first aid education programs are also included in their duties.
Many EMTs eventually go on to become paramedics. The paramedic training class is a 12-month, 650-hour program that includes class time, clinical training in a hospital, and precept time riding in an ambulance with an approved preceptor. At the end of the classroom and clinical training, the paramedic candidate must take a written and practical exam and must also demonstrate skills to the program's medical director. A national registry test for paramedics, which consists of a written exam, an oral exam, and a skill performance test is required. A paramedic is also required to take 18 hours of continuing education each year and undergo annual skill evaluations.
Pay and scheduling are totally dependent upon the department or area for whom you plan to work. Be aware that some EMTs are volunteers receiving little or no compensation. The trend is moving towards EMTs being paid for their services, although that is not as common in rural areas. While some EMTs work full-time, most work only as needed. For pay and scheduling specifics, you will need to check the pay ranges for EMTs in the area you plan or wish to work.
THE STAR OF LIFE
Each of the six "points" of the Star of Life represents an aspect of the EMS System. Those six points are:
- Detection
- Reporting
- Response
- On Scene Care
- Care in Transit
- Transfer to Definitive Care
The Snake is an ancient Greek symbol of eternal life, while the staff represents Medicine and Healing. The Staff and the Snake combined shows the meaning of human efforts to support and fight for life and protect it as long as possible. In combination, the blue star with the snake and staff intertwined summarize the responsibilities of the emergency medical services provider.