Informational Articals - Paramedics
Paramedics are part of the emergency response team that arrives on scene when an ambulance is called. They use their skills to quickly assess the situation and to provide medical care while the individual is in transport to a medical facility. The treatments they provide include checking all vital signs, attempting to stop bleeding, setting up IV’s, and tending to head injuries.
The actual medical care and treatments that a paramedic is authorized to administer while in route to a medical facility depends on the level of certification that they have earned. There are four basic levels that a person can become certified in after they complete the required training.
First responders are trained to provide basic medical assessments. They also provide assistance to the more qualified paramedics by getting them the equipment they need. The next level is the EMT-1 who has the ability to administer medical care for respiratory problems, cardiac issues, and trauma situations.
The EMT-Intermediate level allows the individual to take on more serious duties when emergency response teams are called into action. This includes authorizing air tubes when the individual is having trouble breathing and reading the information on the various monitors. EMT-Paramedics are the highest level of care and these individuals can administer any type of assistance necessary including medications.
Being a paramedic often means you have an unusual work schedule. You may have to work in the evenings or on the weekends because you shift doesn’t end when the clock says it is time to go home. If there are patients in need then paramedics have an obligation to assist them.
For most paramedics the training they have received is continually updated so they always know the very best techniques to use to care for those in need. It is possible for a paramedic to work in the field at their current certification level while continuing to train for higher levels of certification.
It is forecasted that there will be plenty of work for paramedics in the years to come so this is a very good job field to consider if you enjoy working with people. You can also transfer to other areas in the medical field if you later decide being a paramedic isn’t what you want to do professionally.
|
