EMT vs Paramedic

When it comes to saving lives, often we think of EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and Paramedic as the first responders, those people who go work in ambulances and provide first treatment service, along with transportation for patients between where they get sick and various hospitals. Indeed, the professionals who complete EMT or Paramedic training often have the best knowledge of how to save people quickly, or stabilize them enough so they can be transported safely to a care giver, usually a doctor in a hospital. But what exactly is the difference between an EMT vs paramedic, how do these terms differ and what do these professionals do?

First, both terms are often used as the same. People can refer to ambulance technicians as either Paramedic or EMT, and it's often close to reality. Also, the terms vary slightly from one country to the next. The reason is because they have a lot in common. Both types are professionals who need to be trained to do the work they do, and both are there on the front lines, working to save lives. They work in ambulances or other emergency vehicles, as well as in hospitals to provide care to those who just arrived, before they get the chance to see a doctor. They can use CPR and many other techniques to help people, and try to keep them alive and breathing. Often, they work as part of a unit, or for a service that employs several people, and have a geographical area to cover. These are some points that they have in common with each other.

However, there are also small differences, which again can vary between countries. The main difference is how much education they receive. EMT personnel typically are not authorized to administer drugs through needles, because they haven't been trained for it. They also can't provide a diagnostic to doctors to speed things up while they are in the ambulance. The training difference can be quite large, with some EMT members receiving 150 hours of training, and Paramedics having a full 1,200 hours college course. Certifications can vary as well, with Paramedics being forced to pass state exams to be able to work in the field, while EMT professionals don't since they are limited to a restricted set of duties. Still, both professions have more in common than not.

Overall, it doesn't really matter whether an EMT vs paramedic goes to you when you need help, as long as they are trained to keep you alive. Regardless which one works in an ambulance, you can be sure that they will do everything they can to keep their patients well, and get them to the hospital as soon as possible.