What Do Certified EMT’s Really Do?

EMT’s drive ambulances, right? 
Wrong.

Though many EMT’s do work responding to emergencies by driving an ambulance, the truth is that there are quite a few career paths you may take using your EMT certification.

• Transfer Service Driver/AttendantYou don’t do well under pressure? This may be the job for you. Unlike standard ambulances, the patients using transfer services are not in an emergency situation. Transfer services transport patients from one facility to another. For example, if an elderly woman using an oxygen tank needs to travel from Connecticut to Manhattan to see a specialist, she would use a transfer service. 
  Average Annual Salary: $$29,614
  
  
• ER TechnicianHospitals always fascinated you? You can get to work there, even without attending medical school. Though you may need to get some extra training (i.e. phlebotomy certification), EMT’s can work in the Emergency Room doing tasks such as:
  1) Helping with patient care
  2) Moving patients
  3) Assisting nurses
  4) Checking vital signs
  5) Starting IVs and drawing blood
  
• FirefighterAs the recent wildfire in Alberta proves, firefighters are vital to protecting communities and nature. In 1849 and 1850, the new city of San Francisco burned down six times! Why? There were no firefighters. If not for firefighters, the countless minor fires that flare up every day would easily consume entire cities. As a firefighter, you would be playing a huge role in keeping people safe. In addition to that, firefighters receive a nice salary, benefits and something worth a lot more than a large salary – job security. By signing up for your EMT certification, you’d be taking your first step towards becoming a firefighter.
  Average Annual Salary: $42,250
  
  
• Rescue work Every year, communities all over the world suffer from devastating natural disasters, often leaving many people trapped in dangerous locations. As an EMT, you would be able to join the heroic search and rescue teams that help bring people to safety.
  Average salary is: $41,000
• Stand-by Medical Team for Events Want to get free entry to all the baseball games? Your EMT certification can get you there! Most large events such as baseball games are required to have EMT’s and medics on site in case of emergencies. Although this is usually not a full time job, it can be a great choice to earn some extra money while in college.
  Average Salary: $15/hour
  
  
• Medical Assistant Although you may need extra training to work as a medical assistant, some private doctor’s offices and clinics employ EMTs as assistants, as they have the necessary medical knowledge.
  
  
• CPR/First Aid InstructorsDo you enjoy teaching? You can combine this with your love of saving lives as a first aid instructor. Not only that – you’ll be making the world a safer place as you keep passing on life-saving medical knowledge to your students.
  Average Annual Salary: $33,000
  
  
• None of these careers appeal to you? No reason to pass on becoming an EMT. EMT certification give great background and can be a stepping stone to other careers such as:
  
   •   Paramedics
   •   Medical school – most medical schools require volunteer field work. Becoming a  certified EMT give you many      opportunities for appropriate community volunteer  work in the field of medicine.
   •  Nursing school
   •   Physician assistant
   •   Emergency Management
  

Getting EMT certification can open up so many doors for you. Take the first step and sign up for a course, and begin walking towards your future today!