An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a professional who provides immediate medical care and transportation to individuals in emergency situations. They are often the first responders on the scene, offering critical assistance and ensuring the well-being of patients before they reach a medical facility. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Emergency Medical Technicians.

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Main Responsibilities of an Emergency Medical Technician

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Emergency Medical Technician:

Adapt to

Adapt to changing situations and make critical decisions quickly.

Adhere to

• Adhere to all company policies and rules.

• Adhere to quality assurance procedures and maintain all HIPAA standards.

Administer

• Administer daily site required drug and alcohol testing programs.

• Administer first aid and level-appropriate care per state, local and national guidelines.

• Administer first aid and perform basic life support procedures.

• Administer medication and intravenous (IV) fluids.

• Administer tests and assist with other basic medical care tasks.

Anticipate

Anticipate deliveries and service providers.

Apply

Apply orthopedic splinting devices.

Assess

Assess and prioritize patients based on their medical condition.

Assist in

• Assist in childbirth emergencies.

• Assist in extricating patients from hazardous environments.

• Assist in the daily functions of a mobile emergency unit.

• Assist patients in Urgent situations.

• Assist site Safety Personnel with safety related duties and inspections.

• Assist with the mobilization, ambulation and transport of patients.

Attend

• Attend meetings and training activities.

• Attend weekly project safety meetings.

Check with

Check with overnight security on any issues.

Clean

• Clean and maintain fire station and grounds.

• Clean, service, inspect and test motor driven equipment including ambulances.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with other emergency personnel in disaster response situations.

Collect

• Collect samples for lab testing as assigned.

• Collect blood specimens and assists NPs or RNs in collection of blood specimens as required.

• Collect patient specimens following department and facility policies and procedures.

• Collect, record and communicate basic patient data, current and changing status.

Communicate with

• Communicate findings and patient condition to primary Registered Nurse (RN).

• Communicate with medical professionals and relay patient information.

• Communicate with patient's family or friends to provide advice, comfort and instructions.

• Communicate with patients' family or friends to provide advice, comfort and instructions.

Complete

Complete requisitions, labels and routes specimens according to standard procedure.

Comply with

Comply with legal and ethical standards in emergency medical care.

Conduct

• Conduct evaluations to ensure compliance with criteria for normal plasma donors.

• Conduct monthly maintenance checks for All AED's on campus.

• Conduct patient transfers between medical facilities.

• Conduct pre-event medical equipment inventory.

• Conduct triage and prioritize patients in mass casualty incidents.

Coordinate

Coordinate with law enforcement and other emergency services.

Determine

Determine donor suitability of new applicants in consultation with a donor center physician.

Document

• Document all findings and treatments clearly and concisely.

• Document patient information and maintain accurate records.

Educate

Educate the public on basic emergency medical procedures.

Ensure

Ensure that quality, clinical standards are practiced always.

Establish

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Follow

Follow vehicle assignments as needed / directed by department.

Gather

Gather and package all sampled test kits for courier (MSI) to pick up and deliver to lab.

Handle

Handle any staff issues, illness, injuries, lunch breaks, etc.as well as the public.

Immobilize

Immobilize patients and apply splints or bandages.

Inspect

Inspect lab specimen labels to ensure correct information is present.

Instruct

Instruct patient on how long test takes to run and answer any questions.

Let

Let our knowledgeable training and management teams guide you through your EMS journey.

Maintain

• Maintain an effective airway for patients with compromised breathing.

• Maintain a positive working attitude.

• Maintain cleanliness and infection control standards in the ambulance.

• Maintain communication logs regarding donor suitability.

• Maintain effective communication with responding EMS to ensure effective patient care.

• Maintain insurability with Agency's insurance carrier.

• Maintain inventory of equipment and supplies to optimize delivery of patient care and treatment.

• Maintain orderliness and cleanliness of examination rooms.

• Maintain professionalism and empathy in high-stress situations.

• Maintain thorough familiarity with treatment protocols and company policy.

Manage

Manage and control bleeding and perform wound care.

Meet

Meet or exceed DOT guidelines for operation of commercial vehicles.

Monitor

• Monitor and manage patient airways.

• Monitor patients' condition.

• Monitor vital signs and assess changes in patient status.

Operate

• Operate and maintain medical equipment and supplies.

• Operate a paramedic vehicle safely.

• Operate computer related equipment and software applications related to assignment.

• Operate emergency vehicles safely and responsibly.

• Operate heart monitoring and defibrillation equipment.

• Operate, maintain, inspect and repair vehicles, apparatus and equipment.

Participate in

• Participate in ongoing training and professional development.

• Participate in training, public education, and station and equipment maintenance activities.

• Participate in training / retraining and continuing education programs as necessary.

Perform

• Perform advanced medical procedures under medical direction.

• Perform an assessment of the patient's condition and determine a proper course of treatment.

• Perform BLS and ALS assist emergency medical, traumatic, psychiatric care and stabilization for pts.

• Perform building and grounds maintenance.

• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when necessary.

• Perform COVID-19 testing for the public in a drive up setting.

• Perform first aid and lifesaving duties.

• Perform medical evaluation of potential donors for automated plasmapheresis procedures

• Perform primary and secondary medical physical assessments of patients.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

• Perform related duties, as required.

• Perform specific tasks as requested by the incident commander or supervisor.

• Perform tasks needed for proper start-up and close-up.

Pre-check

Pre-check and start up large generator to power compressor for ice trailer and other equipment.

Prepare

Prepare test collection materials and administer COVID-19 test.

Procure

Procure generator fuel from the outside if needed, gas stations, county facility.

Provide

• Provide ALS logistical support for paramedic partner with patients requiring higher levels of care.

• Provide detailed documentation of medical and safety related incidents.

• Provide emotional and psychological support when needed.

• Provide emotional support and reassurance to patients and their families.

• Provide EMT functions in conjunction with Guest Safety Officers.

• Provide individualized care plan for patient presentation.

• Provide limited emergency care, including the administration of medications or treatments.

• Provide security for special events, parties, Team Member events and tournaments.

Put

Put all equipment (generators, etc.) , back into storage container.

Reach

Reach with hands and arms.

Receive

Receive supervision from an assigned Fire Captain.

Record

Record and plots findings on patient chart.

Report

Report number of tests completed and how many are onsite for next day's testing.

Respond to

• Respond to calls for assistance.

• Respond to emergencies throughout the site efficiently and promptly.

• Respond to various medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest, trauma, and respiratory distress.

Review

Review normal and abnormal blood tests to determine continued donor suitability.

Set-up

Set-up tables and chairs in respective locations.

Stabilize

Stabilize patients and provide emergency medical care.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with emergency medical protocols and procedures.

Study

Study fire department rules, regulations and procedures.

Support

Support and assist other fire and medical personnel as directed on medical calls.

Take

Take and record measurements of blood pressure, temperature, heart rate etc. as needed.

Teach

Teach classes and participate in public education demonstrations and activities.

Transport

Transport patients safely and efficiently to medical facilities.

Understand

Understand and comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and company policies.

Use

Use appropriate medical equipment and comprehends the severity of the injury.

Utilize

Utilize bilingual skills to communicate with donors, as needed.

Wipe

Wipe down tables and chairs, traffic vests, goggles, etc. with disinfectant.

Work with

• Work closely with outside emergency responders (local, state, and federal).

• Work cooperatively with assisting agencies.

• Work hours as per schedule, which may change with advance notice.

• Work independently from home at times convenient for you.

• Work under the supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN).

• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

Write

• Write complete and accurate Epcr report documentation for each patient cared for.

• Write comprehensive reports and maintain accurate records.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Emergency Medical Technician:

1. Proficiency in assessing and managing medical emergencies.

2. Knowledge of basic and advanced life support techniques.

3. Competence in administering medications and IV fluids.

4. Familiarity with medical equipment operation and maintenance.

5. Proficiency in patient assessment and vital signs monitoring.

6. Understanding of medical terminology and anatomy.

7. Competence in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

8. Knowledge of emergency vehicle operations and navigation.

9. Expertise in immobilization and splinting techniques.

10. Ability to perform airway management and intubation.

11. Understanding of trauma assessment and management.

12. Proficiency in childbirth delivery assistance.

13. Competence in managing respiratory emergencies.

14. Knowledge of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) procedures.

15. Understanding of pediatric and geriatric emergency care.

16. Competence in using automated external defibrillators (AED).

17. Familiarity with hazardous materials response protocols.

18. Knowledge of infectious disease control and personal protective equipment (PPE).

19. Competence in interpreting electrocardiograms (ECG).

20. Proficiency in conducting patient transfers and transport.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Emergency Medical Technician:

1. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

2. Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations.

3. Empathy and compassion for patients and their families.

4. Effective teamwork and collaboration with other emergency personnel.

5. Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

6. Adaptability and flexibility in dynamic emergency environments.

7. Strong organizational and time management skills.

8. Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple patients.

9. Cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse populations.

10. Commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth.

Conclusion

Emergency Medical Technicians play a crucial role in providing life-saving care during emergencies. This blog post outlined the primary responsibilities of an Emergency Medical Technician and highlighted the most in-demand hard and soft skills required to excel in this field. By possessing a combination of technical expertise and essential personal qualities, EMTs contribute significantly to the well-being of individuals in critical situations and help save lives.