After five years of experience as an Emergency Medical Technician-basic (EMT-B), I've decided to pass my knowledge of the field along to the rest of the world. Although my journey was a good one, there are definitely some things to consider before getting into this line of work. Unfortunately, too many people become EMTs without really knowing what they're getting into. If you're considering a career in EMS I'm here to show you the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Different Levels of EMS Providers

First off, you should know that there are typically four levels of EMT certification. This can vary from state to state but generally, you have CPR driver, EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate, and EMT-paramedic.

A CPR driver's (sometimes called a CPR technician) duties include driving the ambulance during an emergency and assisting their partner with patient care. Although they can't ride in the back with the patient, they are not simply "ambulance drivers". They are trained in CPR and they assist their partners in many different ways. This is the most "entry level" position as far as working on an ambulance goes and is also the lowest paying position.

The next highest level is EMT-basic (which is what I was). They can ride in the back with patients and provide basic life support. This includes CPR, the use of an AED, bleeding and shock control, monitoring vital signs, delivering newborns, splinting injuries, and administering certain medications (this varies by state).

EMT-intermediates and paramedics are considered advanced life support providers. They can do much more than EMT-basics can. They can start IV's, intubate, read EKGs (although in some states EMT-basics can do these things as well), and give many more drugs. The major difference between EMT-Intermediates and paramedics is that paramedics usually have more freedom as to what procedures they can perform. Intermediates usually have to get orders from a doctor for many treatments.

Training

So now that we've talked about the levels of certification and the general pay, let's talk about how you go about getting the training.

If you are really interested in EMS you can often just find an ambulance station or go to a company's main office and ask them how to get the training (that's exactly how I got started). Many places will hire you and train you to be a CPR driver which doesn't take very long. That usually consists of CPR class, company orientation and usually a driving class. Then if you decide to become an EMT-basic you'll have to take a longer training course. The amount of time varies a little but in the state of WV, an EMT-basic class is currently about 170 hours. You have to successfully complete the course and then pass all the required tests to get your certification.

Naturally, EMT-I and paramedic classes are even longer. Paramedic classes are anywhere from a year to two years long (depending on how many hours you spend in class each week).

Of course, if you don't want to do your training through a company there are many colleges that offer EMS programs but sometimes you can get a company to pay for your training so that might be a better option for some people.

So after you get into this field what is it really like?

Well, that will vary depending on the area you work in. For instance, if you work in a city you might see more stabbings and shootings than you would if you worked in a rural area. The area I worked in (which is very rural) is bad for car wrecks, ATV crashes, and drug overdoses. Every region tends to be known for the types of calls you tend to get the most.

Although EMS can be very rewarding I would be lying if I said it was all "guts and glory" because trust me, it's not. Although you have an opportunity to help people and save lives, there is a lot of "BS" that goes along with this job. It is absolutely amazing how many people will call 911 for the weirdest things. Society has forgotten that 911 is for emergencies. Now people call over the common cold, muscle cramps, even minor sunburns. You name it, I've probably been on a call for it. If I haven't I guarantee someone else has. So you have to be able to deal with these types of calls at all times. So when you run code to get to that "difficulty breathing" call at 4:00 am and when you get there you realize it's someone with the sniffles, you still have to be just as professional as if it really was a life-threatening emergency.

Other than things like that, you also have to be able to handle the lack of sleep, inability to eat on a normal schedule, often being so tired on your day off that you can't really do anything because you were awake for 22 out of 24 hours the night before. You have to respond to emergencies no matter what the weather is like. If you're at a car crash you might be outside in the rain or snow for quite some time depending on how long it takes the fire department to extricate your patients. This job will also take a toll on your back because you have to lift and carry people.

Also, mentally you must be able to stay calm at all times and you can't let the sight of a bad injury or death get to you. Trust me, if you do this long enough you will see some horrible things. One of the worst things I've ever seen was a woman who was dead before we arrived. She died because she was standing next to a building that collapsed. So if you can't deal with things like that, then this isn't the job for you.

But it's not all bad!

Now that I've mentioned all of these negative things that are probably making you think twice, let's talk about the good.

You WILL help people and make a difference which is very rewarding. There are all sorts of people out there that need you. And EMS will make you a better person. Aside from helping people, you will become a "people person". You'll learn how to sympathize and empathize on a level that you didn't even know existed before.

You'll also improve your confidence and learn to "think on your feet". You'll learn how to become a problem solver and how to adapt at a moments notice. And although you have to do this job with a partner, you'll learn to be self-reliant because if you can't help yourself how can you help someone else? You will also form unique bonds with the people you work with.