Become a Medic: A Comprehensive Guide to EMS Careers

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a vital, high-demand industry. The professionalization of this field is expected to result in higher salaries for EMS professionals.

Roles in EMS

The EMS field offers various roles, each requiring specific training and responsibilities.

Emergency Medical Responders/Care Attendants (EMRs/ECAs)

EMRs/ECAs provide basic prehospital care and transportation. Their scope is limited compared to EMTs and Paramedics, meaning they do not perform advanced techniques.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are the entry-level staff providing basic emergency medical care and transportation. Training can take as little as 12 weeks, allowing you to quickly join a medical response team and make a difference daily.

Paramedics

Paramedics are highly-trained healthcare professionals who provide the highest level of pre-hospital care available outside a hospital. They deliver Advanced Life Support under a physician’s supervision, ensuring patient safety and well-being during transport. Paramedics work in various settings, including ambulances and aeromedical teams. They are advanced providers of emergency medical care who often serve as leaders of their teams. They start IV’s, give medication, as well as use advanced airway management techniques to help patients breathe. They are trained in advanced cardiac life support and make transport decisions to take patients to the most appropriate hospitals.

Career Outlook and Professionalization

What’s more, the economic outlook for this field is positive. According to the US Department of Labor, the employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow by 15% between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing responsibility of EMTs and Paramedics will drive the field toward degree programs instead of technical certificates. Once certified, you’ll be positioned to earn more doing what you love and making a difference in your community.

Training and Education Requirements

Different EMS roles have distinct educational requirements.

EMT Requirements

• At least 18 years old before the date of the certification exam
• High School Diploma/GED/HiSET or college transcript
• Demonstrate a minimum standard of reading aptitude
• Physically able to perform the duties of an EMT
• Verification of immunization records
• AHA BLS CPR certification or ARC CPR for the professional rescuer

Paramedic Requirements

Anyone interested in enrolling in the Paramedic class MUST be currently nationally registered as an EMT AND complete Human Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) prior to entering the class.

• At least 18 years old before the date of the certification exam
• EMT – National Registered or State Registered
• High School Diploma/GED/HiSET or college transcript
• AHA BLS CPR certification or ARC CPR for the professional rescuer
• Verification of immunization records
• Enrollment through SLCC (apply at solacc.edu)

Around 1200 hours of instruction, training and supervised field experience are required. It takes an average of 16-18 months to complete the program. Our certification-seeking graduates have a 100% pass rate year, after year, after year. Once you successfully complete the Paramedic Program, you will be eligible for the National Registry exam, as well as the Massachusetts EMS certification and may be eligible to pursue a career in public safety. Our goal is to get you certified. We want you to walk out ready to lead a team and provide exceptional care, without a doubt!

Paramedic Program Structure

Paramedic programs often blend online and in-person learning, with structured components:

The online paramedic program is a web-based hybrid program that adheres to the National EMS Education Standards and the National EMS Scope of Practice model.

Live Online Instruction

This program varies from a typical self-paced online program, as students sign into a virtual classroom for live, interactive lecture with an instructor during the scheduled class times. The web-based didactic portion of the program typically runs 10 months.

Recorded Online Instruction

This program uses the same great lectures that we use in our live program but gives the student the flexibility to do the classes when it’s convenient for them. This course is driven by our course syllabus with deadlines to keep students on track for learning.

Skills Training

Students who choose our local online program will complete their practical skills training on-site through the didactic portion of their program. Distance students will complete this portion of their training during a 12-day intensive bootcamp at the end of the didactic portion of their program on our West Bridgewater campus.

Clinical Internships

Following the skills training, clinical internships help students acquire valuable experience in diverse practice areas. You will be required to complete a combined total of 200 hours in the Emergency Room, OR, ICU, CCU, PEDI and OB.

Field Internships

Finally, students are required to complete a field internship, including 300 hours of ride time and 50 ALS Team Lead patient contacts. Upon completion of online paramedic training from National Medical Education & Training Center/Anna Maria Consortia, you will be eligible to take the NREMT certification exam.

Completion time: An average of 14-16 months for recorded online instruction, and 16-18 months for the program on average.

Where EMS Professionals Work

EMS professionals have diverse employment opportunities:

Securing good work/life balance and flexible hours is often a benefit of these professions.

Accreditation and Educational Institutions

The National EMS Academy, a division of Acadian Companies, operates in partnership with South Louisiana Community College. We are nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions. We are also an authorized American Heart Association Training Center for CPR and continuing education courses.