Medical

Paramedic / EMT

Paramedics are often more important than doctors in saving lives because the quick treatment is so important!

Respond to emergency calls, provide immediate medical care, and transport patients to hospitals. Administer life-saving treatments in the field.

Salary Range

$35,000 – $60,000

per year (10th–90th percentile)

Median Salary

$36,650

per year

Growth Outlook

High Growth

2024–2034 projected

Paramedics are able to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, fire departments, and private companies. They are able to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, fire departments, and private companies.

Browse Paramedic Jobs

Tasks & Responsibilities

Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures.
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.
Coordinate with treatment center personnel to obtain patients' vital statistics and medical history, to determine the circumstances of the emergency, and to administer emergency treatment.
Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
Instruct emergency medical response team about emergency interventions, to ensure correct application of procedures.
Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.
Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.

Tools of the Trade

Intubation laryngoscopesMobile medical services spine boardsMobile medical services litterOrthopedic splint systemsMedical oxygen masks or partsMobile medical services suction antichoke devicesIntravenous infusion pumps for general useMedical gas cylinders or related devicesTraction splint setsIntravenous or arterial arm boardsMobile resuscitator or aspirator kitsResuscitation masksMobile medical service anti shock garmentsHypodermic injection apparatusMobile medical services automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddlesNeedleless intravenous injection syringe sets or injection cannulasGlucose monitors or metersCardiac pacemaker generators or cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers CRT-PIrrigation or suction handpieces or cannulas or tips or cathetersMedical aspiration or irrigation syringesRestraint vests and jacketsPulse oximeter unitsBlood collection needlesFinger ring removers or cuttersNeedleless vial or bag withdrawal cannulas or adapters or decantersMobile medical services triage tagsBullet proof vestsTorso and belt restraintsEsophageal tubesIntravenous cathetersNasopharyngeal tubes or airwaysMobile medical service intravenous IV kitsMedical acoustic stethoscopesChest tube kitsExtremity restraintsEndotracheal tubesCardiac output CO monitoring unitsSurgical scalpels or knives or blades or trephinesPharyngeal airways or airways kitsHypodermic needleIntubation styletsPeripherally inserted central catheters PICCIntravenous or arterial tubing adapter or connectorMultiparameter vital sign unitsGlass cuttersIntubation forcepsMedical or surgical suction tubingsSledge hammerMobile medical services obstetrics kitsMobile medical services tourniquet or clampMobile medical services cervical or extrication collarsBlood pressure recording unitsAnalgesic infusion sets or kitsFlow sensors or regulators or componentsRespiratory aspirator productsWinged infusion needle setIntubation gauges or guidesNon vacuum blood collection tubes or containersMobile medical services head immobilizersMedical syringes without needlePatient stabilization or fall prevention devicesWheel chocksMobile medical services non-suction antichoke devicesArtificial airway holdersPatient carbon dioxide detectorsMedical nasal cannulasOxygen insufflatorsElectrocardiography EKG transmitters or telemetry devicesHacksawTwo way radiosElectrocardiography EKG unitsPry barsNebulizersNotebook computersAmbulancesDesktop computers