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WHAT is it like being an EMT?
Hello! My name is Yamileth and I am a current high school student. I'm conducting an interview with any professional in the EMTs field for a Foundations in Health Science Class project about careers! I have created a total of 13 questions. I would appreciate it if you could answer these questions to help me out on my project.
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
5. Were you in a college program?
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
11. Do you enjoy your job now? Why or why not?
12. Is being an EMT scary?
13. How long have you been an EMT?
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4 answers
Updated
Marissa’s Answer
Hello Yamileth! I'd love to help you out with giving some of my input on these questions. I hope you're enjoying your class.
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
ANSWER: Initially Emergency Medicine. Becoming an EMT is just the first step, you can gain other certifications such as specialized rescues (if it's a fire department as well), specialized care (some hospitals have stroke teams or barometric chambers) or tactical training to work with law enforcement. I chose this profession to be able to experience all sorts of positions in public safety, without college.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
ANSWER: I haven't been to college. I've only attended EMT, AEMT courses with local instructors, and a Police Academy.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
ANSWER: I started out working for a volunteer ambulance service. It's a great way to learn if you like the area of work, and if you're comfortable in the EMS profession. From there I worked for multiple paid ambulance departments, with one being a EMS/Fire department.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
ANSWER: Experience it first! I know many people who have started as EMT's who have stayed in EMS and become Paramedics, or left EMS to work in-hospital becoming Nurses, Doctors, or Physicians. Becoming an EMT is a great foundation for medicine without a degree, and you'll get a gut feeling once you've started working about if you wish to further your education and level of care. PLUS - depending on your state, many hospitals have RN's and Surgeons who can work in helicopters, planes, and have the ability to work on certain ambulances. But again, my personal advice is to not jump straight into a Ph.D, get your feet wet and have a strong basis to then make your decision.
5. Were you in a college program?
ANSWER: No. In EMS, the only college program (in my area, it is state depending) would be to get your Paramedic.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
ANSWER: Within the next year, yes. I am 24 years old now, and plan to attend a Paramedic program. Depending on your state, the program can look very different.
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
ANSWER: Yes, dozens. Any new EMS job, or new certification, you shadow another provider. You'll shadow other provider(s) until both you and the department believe you are independently confident in your skills. It's a great learning experience, and that never ends. Everybody does things in their own "fashion" and that's when everything you've learned in EMT class comes into real life and makes sense.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
ANSWER: Sort of. I was enrolled in a 2 year tech program "Criminal Justice" that was taught by a ex-police officer from NY. In those 2 years we learned anything from case law, to arrests, criminal psychology, criminal investigations, to simulated SWAT building clearing. That information later tied into my current profession when I took TECC (tactical emergency casualty care) as an Advanced EMT, and in my position now as a EMT/Federal Police Officer at NASA.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
ANSWER: A thousand times, yes. Mostly math. In school years I felt like I couldn't learn at the same pace, because my learning style is to talk through what I'm learning, and have demonstrations. I often found myself having to find new ways to study, which later greatly benefitted me while going through EMT classes.
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
ANSWER: While pursuing my career, it called for a major skill set adjustment, largely focusing on the importance of discipline. Active listening, patience, and constantly being able to adapt to new information or working environments. In EMS nothing is constant, it's always changing. Being an EMT is learning to be comfortable with constant change and being responsible for your continued learning and training all boils down to practicing discipline and putting yourself first.
11. Do you enjoy your job now? Why or why not?
ANSWER: Yes, I love my Job. In my position now, everyone is proud of their jobs and it really reflects on the working environment. Being an EMT can have a high percentage of "burn out" so it's important to work with people you really enjoy.
12. Is being an EMT scary?
ANSWER: Being an EMT is a high risk, high reward position. There are certainly high risk situations that can arise, but that is why it's important to trust the people you work with. Law enforcement can also respond to calls with you. Some examples of calls where law enforcement can assist you: someone who has injured themselves purposefully or has reported unstable mental illness, assault patients, reports of someone unconscious or overdosing, intoxicated patients. Realistically, any patient could potentially make you feel unsafe, and that's why in EMT class they emphasize scene safety and awareness. I don't think being an EMT is scary, because at the end of the day; if you are working and feel unsafe, your safety comes first and there are people available to help you.
13. How long have you been an EMT?
ANSWER: I have been an EMT for 7 years.
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
ANSWER: Initially Emergency Medicine. Becoming an EMT is just the first step, you can gain other certifications such as specialized rescues (if it's a fire department as well), specialized care (some hospitals have stroke teams or barometric chambers) or tactical training to work with law enforcement. I chose this profession to be able to experience all sorts of positions in public safety, without college.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
ANSWER: I haven't been to college. I've only attended EMT, AEMT courses with local instructors, and a Police Academy.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
ANSWER: I started out working for a volunteer ambulance service. It's a great way to learn if you like the area of work, and if you're comfortable in the EMS profession. From there I worked for multiple paid ambulance departments, with one being a EMS/Fire department.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
ANSWER: Experience it first! I know many people who have started as EMT's who have stayed in EMS and become Paramedics, or left EMS to work in-hospital becoming Nurses, Doctors, or Physicians. Becoming an EMT is a great foundation for medicine without a degree, and you'll get a gut feeling once you've started working about if you wish to further your education and level of care. PLUS - depending on your state, many hospitals have RN's and Surgeons who can work in helicopters, planes, and have the ability to work on certain ambulances. But again, my personal advice is to not jump straight into a Ph.D, get your feet wet and have a strong basis to then make your decision.
5. Were you in a college program?
ANSWER: No. In EMS, the only college program (in my area, it is state depending) would be to get your Paramedic.
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
ANSWER: Within the next year, yes. I am 24 years old now, and plan to attend a Paramedic program. Depending on your state, the program can look very different.
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
ANSWER: Yes, dozens. Any new EMS job, or new certification, you shadow another provider. You'll shadow other provider(s) until both you and the department believe you are independently confident in your skills. It's a great learning experience, and that never ends. Everybody does things in their own "fashion" and that's when everything you've learned in EMT class comes into real life and makes sense.
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
ANSWER: Sort of. I was enrolled in a 2 year tech program "Criminal Justice" that was taught by a ex-police officer from NY. In those 2 years we learned anything from case law, to arrests, criminal psychology, criminal investigations, to simulated SWAT building clearing. That information later tied into my current profession when I took TECC (tactical emergency casualty care) as an Advanced EMT, and in my position now as a EMT/Federal Police Officer at NASA.
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
ANSWER: A thousand times, yes. Mostly math. In school years I felt like I couldn't learn at the same pace, because my learning style is to talk through what I'm learning, and have demonstrations. I often found myself having to find new ways to study, which later greatly benefitted me while going through EMT classes.
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
ANSWER: While pursuing my career, it called for a major skill set adjustment, largely focusing on the importance of discipline. Active listening, patience, and constantly being able to adapt to new information or working environments. In EMS nothing is constant, it's always changing. Being an EMT is learning to be comfortable with constant change and being responsible for your continued learning and training all boils down to practicing discipline and putting yourself first.
11. Do you enjoy your job now? Why or why not?
ANSWER: Yes, I love my Job. In my position now, everyone is proud of their jobs and it really reflects on the working environment. Being an EMT can have a high percentage of "burn out" so it's important to work with people you really enjoy.
12. Is being an EMT scary?
ANSWER: Being an EMT is a high risk, high reward position. There are certainly high risk situations that can arise, but that is why it's important to trust the people you work with. Law enforcement can also respond to calls with you. Some examples of calls where law enforcement can assist you: someone who has injured themselves purposefully or has reported unstable mental illness, assault patients, reports of someone unconscious or overdosing, intoxicated patients. Realistically, any patient could potentially make you feel unsafe, and that's why in EMT class they emphasize scene safety and awareness. I don't think being an EMT is scary, because at the end of the day; if you are working and feel unsafe, your safety comes first and there are people available to help you.
13. How long have you been an EMT?
ANSWER: I have been an EMT for 7 years.
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Yamileth
Updated
Todd D.’s Answer
1. What profession did you choose? Why?
I orginally trained as an EMT as a back-up to my primary job. In the long run, EMS chose me.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
I was a professional gun slinger. And still am sometimes.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
As stated, I was a gunslinger. As an adult, it was all about public safety.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
That is a decision only you can make.
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
No
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
No
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
No
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
No
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
STILL learning skills. Learning is a never ending process. If you are not willing to learn, then EMS is not the right profession to follow.
11. Do you enjoy your job now? Why or why not?
YES! I never feel like I am working.
12. Is being an EMT scary?
Not for me, no.
13. How long have you been an EMT?
Began my training in 1986
I orginally trained as an EMT as a back-up to my primary job. In the long run, EMS chose me.
2. How many years of college did you need to go through?
I was a professional gun slinger. And still am sometimes.
3. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
As stated, I was a gunslinger. As an adult, it was all about public safety.
4. How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
That is a decision only you can make.
5. Were you in a college program?
Yes
6. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
No
7. Did you shadow another professional in the field?
No
8. Did you join any school clubs related to your current profession?
No
9. Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
No
10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
STILL learning skills. Learning is a never ending process. If you are not willing to learn, then EMS is not the right profession to follow.
11. Do you enjoy your job now? Why or why not?
YES! I never feel like I am working.
12. Is being an EMT scary?
Not for me, no.
13. How long have you been an EMT?
Began my training in 1986
Updated
Rachael’s Answer
1. I planned to become a physician assistant but got into EMS at a young age and eventually decided to stick with it. I am now in paramedic school to pursue a career in EMS.
2. College is not required for EMS. I did attend 4 years of college and some paramedic roles or supervisory roles do require a bachelors bug your typical EMT or Paramedic does not need college.
3. I worked at a day camp until I was 18. After that I’ve only worked in EMS.
4. That depends on what role you want to have in the field but as stated before most positions do not require it.
5. Not for EMS. I was in a fast track physician assistant program but dropped out when I decided to stick with EMS.
6. As I decided to pursue a career in EMS and wanted to become a paramedic I did have to go back to school. But it’s not the same as your typical college classes.
7. Yes. When I was in EMT school I shadowed other EMTs and paramedics and I currently am shadowing paramedics, nurses, and doctors while in paramedic school.
8. No, I don’t believe there were any available. But I did join the “juniors” program of my local fore department at age 14.
9. History. Any kind of history. It was not my thing.
10. I have learned so much I don’t think I could begin to list them. With that being said skills and protocols are constantly changing as more research is done so you have to be prepared to adapt and learn new things at any time.
11. Yes I love my job. I could not picture myself in any other career. There is something so special about what we do that we are never sedentary and you have new experiences every shift.
12. Simple answer… No. Are there times a patient or a situation can be intimidating or frightening? Sure. But if you know how to probably address the situation then there is no reason to be scared.
13. I got my certification in 2018 and will get my paramedic certification in december of 2023.
2. College is not required for EMS. I did attend 4 years of college and some paramedic roles or supervisory roles do require a bachelors bug your typical EMT or Paramedic does not need college.
3. I worked at a day camp until I was 18. After that I’ve only worked in EMS.
4. That depends on what role you want to have in the field but as stated before most positions do not require it.
5. Not for EMS. I was in a fast track physician assistant program but dropped out when I decided to stick with EMS.
6. As I decided to pursue a career in EMS and wanted to become a paramedic I did have to go back to school. But it’s not the same as your typical college classes.
7. Yes. When I was in EMT school I shadowed other EMTs and paramedics and I currently am shadowing paramedics, nurses, and doctors while in paramedic school.
8. No, I don’t believe there were any available. But I did join the “juniors” program of my local fore department at age 14.
9. History. Any kind of history. It was not my thing.
10. I have learned so much I don’t think I could begin to list them. With that being said skills and protocols are constantly changing as more research is done so you have to be prepared to adapt and learn new things at any time.
11. Yes I love my job. I could not picture myself in any other career. There is something so special about what we do that we are never sedentary and you have new experiences every shift.
12. Simple answer… No. Are there times a patient or a situation can be intimidating or frightening? Sure. But if you know how to probably address the situation then there is no reason to be scared.
13. I got my certification in 2018 and will get my paramedic certification in december of 2023.
Updated
Rose’s Answer
Being an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) is a demanding but rewarding career that combines fast-paced action with the ability to directly help people in need. Here's a glimpse into what an EMT's experience might be like:
Challenges:
Stressful and Unpredictable: The job can be stressful, as EMTs respond to emergencies and make critical decisions under pressure. Every day is different, and you never know what kind of call you'll get next.
Physically Demanding: The work can involve lifting patients, working in cramped spaces, and standing for long periods. Physical fitness and stamina are essential.
Emotional Toll: EMTs often deal with traumatic situations and witness human suffering. Emotional resilience and coping mechanisms are important to manage stress and compassion fatigue.
Rewards:
Making a Difference: EMTs play a vital role in the healthcare system, providing crucial care to patients during their most critical moments. Witnessing positive outcomes and knowing you've made a difference can be incredibly rewarding.
Fast-Paced Environment: If you thrive in dynamic situations, you'll enjoy the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of EMT work. No two calls are exactly alike, and you'll need to think on your feet and adapt quickly.
Teamwork and Camaraderie: EMTs work closely with paramedics, firefighters, and other first responders. The job fosters a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie as you rely on each other in high-pressure situations.
Work Schedule:
Shift Work: Expect to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. This can be challenging for maintaining a work-life balance.
Overall, being an EMT is a career well-suited for those who are passionate about helping others, can handle stress, and thrive in a dynamic environment. It's a demanding job, but the ability to make a positive impact in people's lives can be highly rewarding.
Challenges:
Stressful and Unpredictable: The job can be stressful, as EMTs respond to emergencies and make critical decisions under pressure. Every day is different, and you never know what kind of call you'll get next.
Physically Demanding: The work can involve lifting patients, working in cramped spaces, and standing for long periods. Physical fitness and stamina are essential.
Emotional Toll: EMTs often deal with traumatic situations and witness human suffering. Emotional resilience and coping mechanisms are important to manage stress and compassion fatigue.
Rewards:
Making a Difference: EMTs play a vital role in the healthcare system, providing crucial care to patients during their most critical moments. Witnessing positive outcomes and knowing you've made a difference can be incredibly rewarding.
Fast-Paced Environment: If you thrive in dynamic situations, you'll enjoy the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of EMT work. No two calls are exactly alike, and you'll need to think on your feet and adapt quickly.
Teamwork and Camaraderie: EMTs work closely with paramedics, firefighters, and other first responders. The job fosters a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie as you rely on each other in high-pressure situations.
Work Schedule:
Shift Work: Expect to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. This can be challenging for maintaining a work-life balance.
Overall, being an EMT is a career well-suited for those who are passionate about helping others, can handle stress, and thrive in a dynamic environment. It's a demanding job, but the ability to make a positive impact in people's lives can be highly rewarding.