commonly asked questions
What does an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic) do?
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Respond to 911 calls for emergency medical assistance, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or bandaging a wound
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Assess a patient’s condition and determine a course of treatment
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Follow guidelines that they learned in training and that they receive from physicians who oversee their work
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Use backboards and restraints to keep patients still and safe in an ambulance for transport
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Help transfer patients to the emergency department of a healthcare facility and report their observations and treatment to the staff
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Create a patient care report; documenting the medical care they gave the patient
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Replace used supplies and check or clean equipment after us.
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What kind of qualities do I need to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic)?
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Compassion: EMTs and paramedics must provide emotional support to patients in an emergency, especially patients who are in life-threatening situations or extreme mental distress.
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Interpersonal skills: EMTs almost always work on teams and must be able to coordinate their activities closely with others in stressful situations.
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Listening skills: EMTs need to listen to patients to determine the extent of their injuries or illnesses.
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Physical strength: EMTs need to be physically fit. Their job requires a lot of bending, lifting, and kneeling.
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Problem-solving skills: EMTs need strong problem-solving skills. They must evaluate patients' symptoms and administer the appropriate treatments.
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Communication skills: EMTs need to be able to comfort and explain procedures to the patient, give orders, and relay information to others.
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Where can I work as an EMT-Basic?
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Ambulance services
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Local government
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Hospitals
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Offices of physicians
Where can I find more information about Emergency Medical Technicians?
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National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians http://www.naemt.org/
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Office of Emergency Medical Services (NTI-140)http://www.ems.gov/
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National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians http://www.nremt.org/ You +1'd this publicly.

