How to become an EMT – Key Basics

ABOUT THE ROLE

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are members of the accident and emergency crew, answering 999 calls. Often working alongside a highly trained paramedic or hospital physician, they give patients potentially lifesaving care at the scene and then get them to hospital as soon as possible.

Typically based at a local ambulance station or at a large hospital, they work shifts, going out in all weathers at all hours, sometimes working in difficult conditions such as in confined spaces or on a motorway. No two shifts will be the same. They might be called out to a road accident victim with multiple severe injuries or someone who has had a heart attack.

EMTs drive a range of ambulance service trust vehicles under normal and emergency (blue light) circumstances and carry out checks to vehicles at the start of and during each shift, to make sure they are clean, have fuel and are appropriately stocked.

It is important to know that apart from patients, EMTs also have to deal with other individuals present who may be distressed or violent, especially verbal and physical abuse from alcohol-related call-outs. As such the work is physically demanding and may be psychologically and emotionally stressful.

EMPLOYABILITY

Like doctors, EMTs need sound judgement in a crisis to do their job and everyday they carry out a wide variety of emergency assignments. This means that as well as their advanced life support skills and driving ability, EMTs require other, softer skills, such as grief counselling and violence mediation. In general, the primary skill sets and attributes necessary to become an EMT include:-

Being decisive, cool and professional under severe pressure
Excellent team and communication skills
Willing to work unsociable hours

CAREER ENTRY

Entry level for Emergency Medical Technicians EMT I is a good education, usually defined as at least five GCSEs (A*-C), or equivalent qualifications, are usually required, including English, maths and a science subject.

And because of the close contact, hands-on nature of the role, all applicants are subject to Criminal Records Bureau clearance and Occupational Health clearance, this latter clearance being concerned with communicable diseases such as Hepatitis B and HIV

EMPLOYERS AND SALARIES

Virtually all Emergency Medical Technicians work within the NHS Ambulance Service, now organised regionally, for example, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) covering the Scottish Border near Carlisle down to Cheshire and the Yorkshire border. Salaries and conditions are covered by the National Health Service (NHS) Agenda for Change pay scales (see below)