EMT VS. PARAMEDIC
EMT vs Paramedic
It’s surprising to me how little the general public actually knows about EMS, considering we’re utilized every single day, 24/7, 365 days out of the year… 🫣
I hope I can change that one day, & give EMS the recognition it deserves.
(But with that, it also comes with changing how people who even work in EMS, view prehospital care; I’ll discuss this some other time)
Anyway.. 🫶🏼
Let me tell you about the differences between the two!
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EMT vs Paramedic
They are two VERY different careers, & they also vary in each state you practice in. So please keep that in mind. I’m going to give you the very basic duties coming from a national standpoint, but it could range in whatever state you decide to practice in or what service you decide to work for.
EMT - Basic Life Support
⁃ Takes about 5 weeks to 6 months to complete depending on if you are in an accelerated program or a part time program.
I did a very shitty California accelerated one & had to repeat it 3 times 🥴.. (let’s normalize failure & growing from it please)
Skills under EMT- B cert:
• CPR/ AED/ Bleeding control
• Administering Oxygen (yes this is a “drug”) & Epi; Assisting with aspirin, nitro, albuterol, & oral glucose.
• Airway management - BVM/OPA/NPA; this is what is used when getting oxygen to either someone in distress or unconscious (positive pressure)
• Bandaging/Splinting/Immobilization
• Patient Assessment: vital signs, level of consciousness, & injury/illness
Now onto what Paramedics can do..
Paramedic - Advanced Life Support
⁃ Takes about 6 months to 2 years, also depending on if you are in an accelerated program/Part time or in a Degree program.
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again.. I HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND A DEGREE PROGRAM.
(I’m biased because that’s what I ended up doing, but whatever)
Skills under Paramedic Cert/License:
• Everything under BLS
• Advanced airway management, which includes: Endotracheal intubation, placing a tube directly into someone’s trachea.
• Advanced cardiac care: Defibrillation (shocking someone), synchronized cardioversion (basically shocking someone while awake to restart an unhappy heart), & transcutaneous pacing (speeding up a sad heart)
• Advanced pediatric care: medications/etc
• Medication administration: a lotttttt of medications for pre hospital care; cardiac, etc.
• Electrocardiogram interpretation: reading what those little squiggly lines say on the monitor (Which is what takes a picture of your heart)
As you can see, there is a very big difference on what skills a Paramedic can perform compared to an EMT. But with that, you can also do more harm. That’s why I whole heartedly believe in more education as a Paramedic.
It’s not about getting that person to a hospital, it’s about getting them back out of it & with their loved ones.
Hope this helped!!
🖤🖤
Cheers,
Xoxo ambie