| I'm often asked the difference between an EMT | | | | allows the intermediate to give fluids to treat |
| and a Paramedic. EMT's are considered BLS or | | | | shock, dextrose to treat diabetics, and to simply |
| basic life support providers. Paramedics are | | | | provide intravenous access for use by a |
| considered ALS or advanced life support | | | | paramedic or at the hospital. |
| providers. I can still hear you asking what the | | | | 4.EMT-P. The paramedic. The word paramedic in |
| difference is. Here is the rundown. | | | | Latin means before the hospital. Thats what they |
| There are several levels of care. 1. First | | | | do. They provide the top of the line pre-hospital |
| Responders. This is the most basic level of care. | | | | care to patients. Paramedics have longer training |
| First Responders know CPR and first aid. The job | | | | than the EMT. They are able to administer |
| of the First Responder is to provide simple but | | | | medications to relieve pain, help the heart, stop |
| immediate care until more advanced help arrives. | | | | seizures, and help the lungs. The paramedic |
| Many police officers and volunteer firefighters are | | | | receives a longer course in cardiology and can use |
| First Responders. | | | | and interpret heart monitors. Medics can also |
| 2. EMT-B (When the new federal changes go | | | | intubate. This is the practice of inserting a tube |
| through, this will be called EMT). The EMT-Basic | | | | directly into the trachea to secure the airway of |
| provides a higher level of care. The EMT-B has | | | | a person who is not breathing. |
| more in depth training. The EMT-B takes courses | | | | To sum it up, paramedics have more training and |
| in pharmacology that allow the basic to assist in | | | | the ability to administer more drugs and the most |
| drug administration. The EMT-B is also allowed in | | | | advanced airways. This takes nothing away from |
| most states to use advanced airways such as | | | | the role of the EMT. Many calls can be run by |
| the Combitube or King Airway. These allow the | | | | EMTs alone. Childbirth is considered and EMT level |
| EMT-B to secure the airway when a patient isn't | | | | call. One thing to consider is that with the |
| breathing. The EMT-B is the lowest level of care | | | | paramedics advanced training comes more liability, |
| allowed to transport a patient in most states. | | | | and more responsibility. |
| 3. EMT-I (When the new federal changes go | | | | I'm an EMT myself. I like to think of myself as |
| through, this will be called the EMT Advanced). | | | | my medic's hands free kit. I love my job. I get to |
| The EMT Intermediate provides all the care listed | | | | help my community, and be in the center of the |
| above, but is also able to provide IV therapy. This | | | | action. |
