The Demand Remains Strong for Emergency Medical Professionals

Emergency Medical Technicians are in great demand today, and the outlook for employment opportunities in all areas of Emergency Medical Services looks strong for the foreseeable future. With an expanding population living longer and requiring increased medical attention, well trained EMTs and Paramedics will remain in demand in pre-hospital care situations as well as within hospitals. In fact the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently predicted that the employment of EMTs is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2006.

Depending upon their level of training and the position they hold, EMTs handle every imaginable situation from basic patient transportation to saving lives. All EMTs are trained to perform CPR, control bleeding, treat wounds, immobilize patients with suspected fractures, assist in childbirth, and aid heart attack and accident victims. Paramedics are trained to offer advanced assistance in the administration of medication, interpretation of EKGs, and intensive care procedures.

EMTs work closely with physicians to recognize, assess and manage medical emergencies of the acutely ill or injured patients in pre-hospital care settings. They are the essential link in the continuum of health care resources and primarily provide care to emergency patients in an out-of-hospital setting. As professionals they maintain high quality, reasonable cost health care by delivering patients directly to the appropriate medical facilities working with other provider agencies, networks and organizations.

Prospective medical professionals are expected to be high school graduates who meet the physical and mental demands of the occupation. Along with medical preparation, educational programs should also provide students with an understanding of the ethical and legal responsibilities that they assume as students and that they are being prepared to assume as graduates.

Emergency Medical Services Careers are broken down into three levels based on training and the employability and wage compensation increases based on these levels. The first level of emergency medical technicians is an EMT - Basic, commonly referred to as a Basic E.M.T. The Basic E.M.T. is someone who is licensed by the State to work in an ambulance. The character of the training encompasses a rigorous 110-hour classroom session, a 10-hour hospital ER internship, & a strenuous testing process. The curriculum contains specialized training in the use of Automated External Defibrillators, the administration of certain medications, Basic Cardiac Life Support, and basic first aide. The focus of the training is to prepare the individual to care and treat the acutely sick and injured and to manage non-life threatening emergencies.

The second level holds the title of EMT – Intermediate, commonly referred to as an “I”. An “I” is someone who has initially attained the level of EMT – Basic and has furthered his or her education through a more intense training regimen. The character of their training shares the same integrity of the Basic’s training, but is augmented by an additional 160-hour classroom portion, a 40-hour field internship, and a 40-hour hospital internship. The core curriculum includes the Basic’s elements and includes advanced airway training, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and IV therapy. Their primary focus is to care for those who are experiencing a life-threatening emergency.

The third level, which is the highest level in pre-hospital care, is the E.M.T. – Paramedic. The paramedic is considered an extension of the emergency physician. The scope of their training consists of a minimum of 1000-hours classroom time, 500-hour clinical internship, and 100-hour field internship. The body of their training includes the nurturing of practical and didactic skills. The practical skills include cardiac monitoring, EKG interpretation, transcutaneous pacing/defibrillation, medication administration, advanced airway procedures, and chest decompression just to name a few. The didactic skills hone in on knowledge of disease pathophysiology and treatment of certain conditions. The paramedic is trained to act and react to all medical consequences. They have the ability to handle most situations. Their focus is to orchestrate and render care for those who are involved in a life-threatening event. Paramedics are highly trained members who are responsible for bringing lifesaving diagnostic and treatment skills to the patient at the scene of an emergency.

Many EMTs begin their professional careers as chair car drivers and are able to continue in this capacity while they continue their training. Some programs are designed as a part-time study model and others are offered as full-time collegiate curricula. New curriculum standards will probably result in a modest increase over the next few years. Paramedics take part in life-long professional development as new equipment and treatments become available. They also assume an active role in professional and community organizations providing public education, health promotion, and participation in injury and illness prevention programs. EMTs with basic training usually continue their education and training to progress in the field of Emergency Medical Services. For many it is a stepping-stone to other health care or public service careers. Professionals such as nurses, physician’s assistants, pharmacists, chiropractors, medical physicians, police officers and firefighters have progressed from the ranks of the EMTs.

Fallon Ambulance Service was founded in 1936 by James R. Fallon, Sr., and has remained a family operated business to this day. The founder’s son, James R. (Ray) Fallon, Jr., and five of his children have all played an integral role in the company’s operation and growth. Fallon Ambulance employs more than 400 personnel, and operates 115 vehicles. The company provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Braintree and Dedham as well as primary backup to Boston and Randolph. Fallon Ambulance Service also provides medical transportation for a number of nursing homes, hospitals, and HMOs throughout Greater Boston. Headquarters are at 111 Brook Road, Quincy, MA 02169, and Fallon Ambulance operates satellite offices in Weymouth, Allston and Quincy, MA. A new state-of-the-art headquarters is slated for opening in Quincy in the Fall, 2004. Fallon Ambulance Service is a several-time recipient of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s “Success Profile,” and the “local heroes” award by the South Shore Community Action Council. For additional information about Fallon Ambulance services or programs that the company offers, contact Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development, at (617) 745-2100, ext. 117 or visit www.fallonambulance.com.