ROLE IN PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES:

The primary goal of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), formerly EMT-basic, is to administer basic life support measures, emergency medical care, AND transportation for both critical and non-critical patients who utilize the emergency response system (911). The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) operates under medical oversight and compose the largest number of emergency medical personnel in the pre-hospital setting. EMT’s perform all of their interventions with the basic equipment that is found on a typical ambulance

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

To be eligible for licensure as an EMT, the student must successfully complete an accredited Emergency Medical Technician course. These are typically held at community colleges across the country. After completion of an approved program, the EMT candidate can sit for the NREMT written and practical exams. Once the candidate has passed both the NREMT written and practical examinations, they are then Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).

MEDICATIONS:

The EMT can deliver the medications allowed by their state and local protocols in accordance with those set forth by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Those medications include:

• Aspirin
• Activated Charcoal
• Albuterol
• Epinephrine (Via Epi-Pen)
• Nitroglycerine (Assist patient with their prescription)
• Oral Glucose

SKILL SET:

In addition to providing first aid and CPR, the EMT is proficient in providing Basic Life Support measures. The EMT is also integral in providing transportation of the ill and injured to the emergency department.