How to become an EMT

What does an EMT do?

Good in emergency situations? Able to think on your feet? Don’t faint at the sight of blood? You should become an EMT…

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a first responder trained to provide critical care in emergency situations. Their primary role is to stabilise patients, assess their condition, and offer life-saving medical assistance before and during transportation to a healthcare facility. 

EMTs often work in high-pressure environments, responding to a wide range of emergencies, including accidents, heart attacks, and trauma. Once on the scene, it's their job to quickly evaluate the situation, administer treatments such as CPR, wound care, or oxygen, and safely transport patients to hospitals for further care.

EMTs are a crucial link between the incident scene and the hospital, ensuring patients receive immediate care and improving their chances of recovery.

Typical tasks and responsibilities for an EMT include:

• Assessing patient conditions and determining necessary treatment
• Administering basic emergency care, such as CPR and bleeding control
• Operating and maintaining emergency medical equipment
• Safely transporting patients to medical facilities
• Communicating patient status and care provided to hospital staff
• Monitoring vital signs during transport and reassessing patient conditions
• Completing necessary documentation and reports on treatments provided
• Assisting paramedics with advanced care when necessary

Is a career as an EMT right for me?

If you want to become an EMT, you’ll not only need technical medical skills, but also the ability to remain calm, think quickly, and communicate effectively in stressful (and sometimes life-threatening) situations. 

Strong attention to detail when assessing conditions and administering care is also vital for EMTs. 

Other key skills for an EMT include:

• Compassion and empathy for patients in distress
• Strong attention to detail when assessing conditions and administering care
• Ability to work as part of a team in high-pressure situations
• Physical strength and stamina for handling equipment and patients
• Time management to provide efficient care in emergency situations
• Knowledge of basic medical procedures and first aid techniques
• Capacity to handle emotionally intense situations effectively