Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
Job Zones group occupations into one of five categories based on the education, experience, and training typically needed to perform them.
Tasks
Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.
- Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.—
- Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.—
- Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.—
- Comfort and reassure patients.—
- Communicate with dispatchers or treatment center personnel to provide information about situation, to arrange reception of survivors, or to receive instructions for further treatment.—
- Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.—
- Decontaminate ambulance interior following treatment of patient with infectious disease, and report case to proper authorities.—
- Drive mobile intensive care unit to specified location, following instructions from emergency medical dispatcher.—
- Immobilize patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device.—
- Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment, and replenish first aid equipment and supplies.—
- Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.—
- Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as stomach suction, airway management, or heart monitoring, during ambulance ride.—
Skills
Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.
No data reported.
Knowledge
Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.
No data reported.
Abilities
Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.
No data reported.
Work Activities
General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.
No data reported.
Work Styles
Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.
- Self-Control100
A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.
- Stress Tolerance100
A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
- Dependability98
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
- Integrity85
A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
- Adaptability81
A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.
- Attention to Detail79
A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
- Perseverance79
A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.
- Cooperation77
A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
- Empathy77
A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.
- Self-Confidence72
A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.
- Sincerity68
A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.
- Social Orientation61
A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
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- Tolerance for Ambiguity50
A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
- Initiative48
A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.
- Leadership Orientation48
A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
- Achievement Orientation46
A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.
- Cautiousness44
A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.
- Optimism44
A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.
- Intellectual Curiosity41
A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.
- Humility30
A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
Interests (RIASEC)
Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.
- Social76
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
- Realistic74
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
- Investigative60
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
- Conventional46
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
- Enterprising9
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
- Artistic0
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
Work Context
Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.
No data reported.
Typical Education Levels Reported
Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.
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Technology Skills
Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.
Medical software
MedDataSolutions Regist*r, MEDITECH software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Information retrieval or search software
Epocrates, HyperTox, Skyscape Rosen and Barkin's 5-Minute Emergency Medicine Consult, TechOnSoftware HazMatCE Pro
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Professional Associations
Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.
- American Academy of Emergency Medicine
- American Ambulance Association
- American Heart Association
- American Red Cross
- American Trauma Society
- Association of Air Medical Services
- Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center
- Emergency Nurses Association
- International Association of Emergency Managers
- International College of Advanced Practice Paramedics
- International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
- National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
- National Association of EMS Educators
- National Association of EMS Physicians
- National Association of State EMS Officials
- National Emergency Management Association
- National Emergency Medicine Association
- National EMS Management Association
- National Fire Protection Association
- National Rural Health Association
- NENA The 9-1-1 Association
- Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
- Society of Critical Care Medicine
- World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine
- New England Association of Fire Chiefs
- Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs
- Southwestern Association of Technical Accident Investigators
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- National Association for Search and Rescue
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
- Wilderness Medical Society
Related Occupations
Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
- Other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurses
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Diagnostic Related Technologists and Technicians
- Registered Nurses
- Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides
- Respiratory Therapists
- Health Practitioner Support Technologists and Technicians
- Physicians and Surgeons
- Physician Assistants
- Physicians and Surgeons
- Nurse anesthetists
- Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives
- Physician Assistants
- Registered Nurses
- Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides
- Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides
- Medical Assistants
Detailed Work Activities
More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.
- Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
- Treat medical emergencies.
- Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
- Drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment.
- Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.
- Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
- Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
- Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
- Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
- Position patients for treatment or examination.
- Record patient medical histories.
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- Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Apprenticeship Occupations
Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician (Alternate Title: Health Care Specialist)
- Emergency Medical Technician (Alternate Title: Health Care Specialist) (Nof)
- Emergency Medical Technician (Nof)
This page incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Based on federal labor and demographic data. Data source & methodology