What is an Emergency Medical Technician - Basic? What are the duties?

An Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) renders pre-hospital basic life support at the scene of an emergency, during transport of the sick and injured, or during inter-facility transfer within an organized EMS system.

Most EMT-Bs evaluate the ill and injured, and render basic life support, rescue and emergency medical care to patients. They obtain vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rates, levels of consciousness and pupil status. They perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, use adjunctive airway breathing aids, use various types of stretchers and body immobilization devices, provide initial pre-hospital emergency care of trauma, administer oral glucose or sugar solutions, extricate entrapped persons, perform field triage, transport patients, set up for advanced life support procedures, perform automated external defibrillation, when authorized, and assist patients with the administration of physician prescribed devices including, but not limited to, patient operated medication pumps, sublingual nitroglycerine, and self-administered emergency medications, including epinephrine devices.

In addition to these activities, EMT-Bs may be allowed by the EMS authority, in the pre-hospital setting or during inter-facility transport, to monitor, maintain and adjust certain intravenous lines. They may be allowed to transfer patients with nasogastric (NG) tubes, gastrostomy tubes, heparin locks, foley catheters, tracheostomy tubes and/or in-dwelling vascular access lines, excluding arterial lines. They may be allowed to monitor pre-existing vascular access devices and intravenous lines delivering fluids with additional medications pre-approved by the Director of the EMS authority.

Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement?

Upon completion of an approved program, graduates of EMT-B training must pass a National Registry Examination comprised of a written section containing 150 multiple choice questions covering airway, breathing, cardiology, trauma, medical emergencies, obstetrics, pediatrics and operations as well as a practical examination which requires physical application of the skills necessary to EMT-Bs.

To apply for the National Registry Examination, the individual must:

• be 18 years of age or older,

• be a graduate (within the last 2 years) of an approved EMT-Basic education program, [This is NOT such a course, but only a test-prep modality]

• truthfully complete the Licensing Action and Felony statements on the application and submit requested documentation if necessary,

• submit a current approved CPR credential for the professional rescuer.
EMT-Bs take additional training to enter advanced EMT-II or EMT-Paramedic classifications. Some transfer into dispatcher jobs. Some take additional medical training to become LVNs or RNs.

Continual education is expected to maintain current EMT status.

 

What is the job outlook?

Employment of EMT-Bs by the year 2014 is expected to be above the average growth for all occupations primarily because of the rapidly expanding aging population. According to the California projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division, the projected growth percentage from 1990 - 2009 is 29%.

Lesson Descriptions

HC201 - Airway
Be able to name and label the major structures of the respiratory system. Describe how to maintain and open airway and how to use adjunts, suction equipment, and resuscitation devices.

HC202 - Patient Assessment
Discuss the indication for automated external defibrillation (AED). Evaluate the need for medical direction in the emergency medical care of the diabetic patient. Recognize the symptoms of a patient experiencing an allergic reaction. How to asses an individual who is unresponsive.

HC203 - Medical/Behavioral/OB GYN
Describe the steps in the emergency medical care for the patient with poisoning or an overdose. Explain the steps in providing emergency medical care to patients exposed to cold and heat. Discuss the various behavioral emergencies that may arise.

HC204 - Trauma
Discuss the reasons for reconsideration concerning the mechanism of injury, and for performing a rapid trauma assessment. An EMT-B will be able to recognize signs and symptoms of internal bleeding and medical care consideration for a patient with a penetrating chest injury. An EMT will learn to properly use backboards and immobilization techniques for injured patients.

HC205 - Special Populations
State the signs and symptoms of a potential spine injury and how to stabilize the cervical spine. Differentiate the anatomy and physiology of the infant, child, and adult. Learn to recognize the response of an ill or injured child.

HC206- Operations
Discuss the equipment needed to respond to a call and how to handle and use these items. Describe the purpose of extrication and the EMT-B's role. Describe the action an EMT-B should take to ensure bystander safety.

HC207 - Pharmaceutical Math
Covers the math necessary to evaluate patient dosing as it concerns pharmaceuticals comonly used in the emergency medical setting.

NOTE: This program is designed to give a student a comprehensive understanding of the concepts as they will be presented on the EMT-B Exam. Successful completion also awards a certificate of completion from the Career Academy of New York.

Just $69 to Enroll in C.A.N.Y.'s test-preparation program!