Emergency Medical Service Training

As an EMS provider, it is an honor to care for others. Are you up to the challenge?

Welcome 

Welcome to the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) profession, where the entry-level salary is ranked 4th from the bottom in the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While it may not be the highest-paying job, you will find other rewards in this field.

It is important to note that this profession requires individuals to make life-or-death decisions, and the line-of-duty death rate is comparable to that of firefighters and police officers. Additionally, if you aspire to become a flight paramedic, it is the most dangerous profession in America, even more so than loggers, miners, and Alaska crab fishermen.

Unfortunately, this profession has higher rates of divorce, suicide, and substance abuse compared to the general population. The average career expectancy of an EMT is around five years. Despite these challenges, many find the rewards of saving lives and helping those in need to be personally fulfilling.

Potential Risks

As an EMT, it is important to understand the potential risks and challenges of the profession. While some EMTs may pursue career opportunities in nursing or other healthcare fields, others may face career-ending back injuries or emotional burnout. It is not uncommon for the harsh realities of the job to erode idealism and faith in humanity. However, with proper support and self-care, it is possible to maintain a fulfilling and rewarding career in EMS.

In your role as an EMT, it is possible that you may experience instances of disrespect from patients and bystanders who may be unaware of the extent of your training and expertise. Furthermore, you may also encounter situations where doctors and nurses may not appreciate the full extent of your contributions to patient care. It is important to remember that these instances of disrespect do not reflect on your professionalism or dedication to your job.

In addition, many EMTs may choose to volunteer their services without financial compensation, which can result in additional challenges related to respect and recognition. It is crucial to maintain a strong sense of self-worth and pride in your contributions to the healthcare field, regardless of the financial compensation you receive.

Allow me to explain why I am sharing this information with you. It is known as informed consent, a term that will be introduced to you in the initial chapters of the EMT textbook that you currently possess. It is only appropriate that you are aware of the realities of this profession before you accept the challenges that come with it.

Challenges

In the EMS profession, you will encounter challenging situations that may include physical hazards and verbal abuse from the people you are trying to assist. Despite the promise of financial compensation, the reality is that you will often face difficult and potentially dangerous circumstances with little to no recognition for your efforts. It is important to acknowledge that the initial attraction to the profession may stem from the adrenaline rush and sense of adventure that comes with the job. However, it is crucial to recognize that this perception is not the full reality and may obscure the challenges and realities of the job.

While the EMS profession offers the opportunity to make a significant difference in people's lives, it is essential to understand the reality of the job. Contrary to popular belief, the number of lives an EMT saves is fewer than what is expected. Though we prepare for and train to save lives, the chance to do so is infrequent and often depends on luck and timing. It is true that some critical diagnoses, tough airways, and stabilization of critical patients have led to positive outcomes. Still, it cannot be said with certainty that these actions alone were responsible for saving lives. The majority of the time, the techniques applied could have been done by any citizen with basic first aid knowledge. It is crucial to have a realistic perspective of the profession and not fall for the misconception that we are heroes saving lives daily.

EMS profession Reality

In actuality, the EMS profession is not just about thrilling rescues and saving lives. Your day-to-day work will consist of transporting patients for dialysis treatments, assisting those who are constipated, and treating individuals with toothaches in the middle of the night. You'll find yourself navigating your stretcher around parked cars and weaving through traffic to attend to patients with minor complaints that don't warrant an emergency response.

The reason why you should pursue a career in EMS is that it's a calling, and even when you leave the field, it stays with you. It's similar to what Henry David Thoreau meant when he said, "Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still." Although we may not save lives as often as we'd like, what we do matters. It matters in ways that we may not even notice, to people we may not even remember tomorrow.

As an EMT, you have the privilege of playing a role in life's great game. Too many people are unable to participate due to being stuck at a desk or watching from home. You should bother because the little things matter. Most patients are unaware of your technical skills, but they'll remember your kind smile, the way you tucked in their blanket, or how you held the umbrella over them while standing in the rain. They'll remember your calm and competent approach and your gentle speech. They'll remember the jokes you made to lighten the tension. These small gestures will leave a lasting impression on them, and they'll remember your face long after you've forgotten theirs.

You will be remembered.

People will remember you because, although they were just another patient to you, you played a crucial role in a significant event in their lives. Years later, they may approach you and say, "I remember you. You took care of me when I had my heart attack." Even though all you did was administer oxygen and transport them to the hospital, or assist them with a simple treatment, you were the one they remembered and thanked.

The reason you should pursue a career in EMS is because you have the opportunity to make a unique contribution to the tapestry of human existence, in ways that cannot be measured on a balance sheet or a financial statement. Not everyone has the chance to touch the lives of others, but as an EMT, you do.

You should also consider a career in EMS because when people are at their most vulnerable, they will invite you into their homes and share things with you that they may not even tell their closest confidants. They will rely on you to make things better somehow. It is a profound honor to be trusted in this way, and although you may not fully comprehend it now, one day, you will.

Are you worthy of that honor?

If you believe you have what it takes to become an EMT and be worthy of that honor, you deserve such a privilege, then welcome to the world of EMS. Let us strive to uphold the standards of our profession and positively impact the lives of those we serve.