Do you know the difference between an EMT and a paramedic? If you are considering one of these professions, then it is crucial to know the difference between the two.
Though both such practitioners react to emergencies, there is a difference between their functioning. However, there are some similarities as well.
For example, both an EMT and paramedic are called to the area by dialling 911 emergency.
The difference between an EMT and paramedic owes its essence to various factors. Such factors entail theory, training, qualifications, education and different functioning of both professions.
Let us have a look at all of them.
EMT versus Paramedic
EMT stands for Emergency Medical Technicians. Such people are the most common type of health professionals who are called at the site of an emergency.
When people dial 911, the EMTs reach the spot and analyse the severity of the injuries of the patient.
Moreover, they proffer appropriate care to the patient and transfers him or her to the vehicle. Treatment includes essential functions like the application of neck braces, tourniquet procedure, stopping bleeding, wound treatments or giving effective CPR.
However, the emergency medical technicians cannot pierce the skin of the victim. After the required functioning, they transport the patients to the hospital and thus save their lives.
Paramedics are proficient and trained professionals who respond to emergent situations. Just like EMTs, these people give their best during contingencies by reaching the spot immediately.
They can perform advanced processes for the victims. Such stimulated care includes inserting IVs, giving breathing support using various ventilation devices or tubes, proffering the required medication, resuscitating patients, etc.
Hence, the paramedics are at a higher level than the EMTs. Moreover, they give medication to the patients in the resting rooms before reaching the hospital.
Employment opportunities of the paramedics outnumber the vacancies of the EMTs. This is because there are only specific departments which hire the services of EMTs.
Such Departments include the government, fire Department, Ambulance services, various hospitals or police stations.
Not only this, but the EMTs have to work under the guidance of a medical director physician. This further restricts their scope.
On the other hand, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) employ the consummate services of the paramedics. Apart from this, they work with the ambulance or hospital as well.
In this industry, the paramedics and the EMTs work together. But researches show that there are more paramedics as compared to the EMTs in the ambulance or hospital services.
The air wing also employs paramedics for emergent situations. In such capacities, they are required to take the patient through various aircraft or helicopters to the hospitals.
Both the Emergency Medical Technician and paramedic pieces of training require the individuals to seek education for one to three years. However, the duration may differ based on your career goals, technical skills, and education.
To become an emergency medical technician, you should procure the relevant training in the field.
However, the training or qualifications for an EMT do not include procuring a bachelors or associates degree in the field. The applicants should have a high school diploma or the necessary GED certifications.
After completing high school, the EMTs can enrol themselves for a training program. There are many colleges and community associations that proffer such training program to the prospective emergency medical technicians.
To qualify for the profession, the applicants need to complete at least 120 to 150 hours of training in the field.
After procuring the credentials of the training, the EMTs are required to have a certification in the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Moreover, the emergency medical technicians have to give another exam. They have to clear the National Registry Of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination. But you should remember that most of the pieces of training in EMT do not proffer a degree to the applicants.
Now let us flip the coin and note the training and qualifications for the paramedics. The initial qualifications for the paramedics are the same as the EMTs. This means that the practitioners do not require to procure an associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
But they should have a high school certification from a recognised institution. They can even amass a GED which proffers the same benefits as a high school certificate. After this, the paramedics undergo training to procure the required credentials.
This training requires the applicants to get skilled for 1200 to 1800 hours. Then, just like the EMTs, the paramedics also take up the National Registry Of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam.
In addition to this exam, such prospective applicants are required to pass the National Registry Paramedic Cognitive Exam.
Another advantage of the paramedics over the EMTs is that they can get a two-year degree from the training undertaken by them. After meeting all the necessary qualifications, the prospective paramedics are required to take up the National paramedic certification exam.
Moreover, they should fetch the relevant licence to practise the profession. Various establishments of the state, like the Oregon Health Authority, furnishes the licence to the paramedics.
Colleges for Paramedics
There are many colleges which offer you the required training, guidance and instructions to become an efficient paramedic. Let us sight them.
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
The paramedic education program at UCLA is one of the best programs in the world. Apart from this, it is the most extensive program in the world. It has a skilled and adept team of medical professionals who will teach you to the best of their potential in the field.
You can substantiate the successful nature of this University through the various statistics. First of all, it has a pass rate of 99% in NREMT. Moreover, the program’s duration is of eight months and is proffered at affordable costs.
You can procure the program in two different domains. The first category is the on-campus program, and the 2nd is the hybrid online program.
The cost of the on-campus program is $10,500, whereas you can enrol yourself for the hybrid online procedure for $16,000.
The requirements of the paramedic’s program at this University are as follows:
- prospective applicants should have an EMT certification,
- they should also have work experience of six months as an EMT.
Approximately 91% of the applicants get good placements from this University.
The University of Pittsburgh
Due to its speciality, this program proposes an advantage to the applicants from their adversaries in EMS or healthcare. As the name suggests, Pittsburgh houses this University.
The approximate fee of the University is $23,452 per year.
This bachelors degree program is a 2-year program and offers various facilities.
The schedule of teaching includes various classroom lectures, field practical sessions or lab and clinical rotations.
The University has a 100% pass rate in NREMT. Statistics show that it has 100% job placement facilities for the students. But you should have secured a GPA of at least 2.5% and 60 college credits to gain entry into this institution.