Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics

Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.

Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.

Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as stomach suction, airway management, or heart monitoring, during ambulance ride.

Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.

Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.

Drive mobile intensive care unit to specified location, following instructions from emergency medical dispatcher.

Decontaminate ambulance interior following treatment of patient with infectious disease and report case to proper authorities.

Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures under a physician's direction.

Immobilize patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device.

Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.

Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment and replenish first aid equipment and supplies.

Communicate with dispatchers or treatment center personnel to provide information about situation, to arrange reception of victims, or to receive instructions for further treatment.

Coordinate with treatment center personnel to obtain patients' vital statistics and medical history, to determine the circumstances of the emergency, and to administer emergency treatment.

Comfort and reassure patients.

Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.