EMTs and Paramedics.. whats the Dif?

[WannabeintheFD]

what is the diference between EMTs and Paramedics???

[FiRsqDvr45]

It is different for each state and in some areas such as here in NH it can vary from Region to Region.

EMT: first aid, backboarding, EOA, AED, O2,etc.
EMTI: all of above plus IV's,adult ET tubing, blood/lab draws/ 6 or so medications,etc
PM: all of above, I/O ivs, a vast assortment of medications, advanced airway measures, Nitrous, cardioversion/pacing,child, infant and adult ET, etc

[WannabeintheFD]

Ohhh so they are just like diferent levels?? like you take FF1 than FF2???

[EoneTiller]

Paramedics save lives
EMT's save Paramedics!

[CollegeBuff]

Rhode Island:

EMT-Basic: Assessment, first aid, O2, albuterol via nebulizer, Epi pen with/without patient perscription, AED, backboard & KED, EOA, MAST/PASG, ET with additional class after obtaining license.

EMT-Cardiac: All of above, advanced airway/ET as part of curriculum, IV, EKG/Manual Defib, all EMS drugs except 6 (I think).

Paramedic: All of above, newborn/infant ET, cardioversion/pacing, cric, thorasentisis (sp?), remainder of EMS drugs including some avaialable as part of standing orders whereas a Cardiac would need Med Control authorization.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.... cfdeng3, feel free to club me OVER the head if I screwed up!!!

[sonofapreacher]

to answer the second question...

WannabeintheFD, to answer your second question, yes, they are just different levels. On the national level, there is a national registry (and not all states participate). There are 4 levels. First responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate (technically 2 levels of EMT-I but for this discussion...), and EMT-Paramedic.

There's a training course and state and national tests for each level, and as has been mentioned, the exact requirements vary from state to state and even in some cases from region to region.

more info can be found at www.nremt.org

[drparasite]

Ohhh so they are just like diferent levels?? like you take FF1 than FF2???

not exactly.

in NJ, an EMT cannot do anything invasive. they can use 0xygen, splint fractures, board and collar, etc. Paramedics can start IVs, intubate, give meds, and basicly do invasive stuff. there is no middle level.

in NY, there are 4 levels:
EMT- oxygen, basic first aid, nothing invasive, AED, suctions, BVM.
EMT-Intermediate - same as above, but can start IVs, intubate, and preform chest decompressions on people 18 and over.
EMT-Critical Care - a same as above, but can give many medications, but the person has to be 8 years old or over. to get an idea of how much training they have, they are able to work a cardiac arrest without the aid of a paramedic. certain drugs that are standing order for paramedics a CC needs a doctor's permission to give.
EMT-Paramedic - the highest level of pre-hospital care provider. can work on anyone (any age). many drugs that require a doc for a CC to give are standing over for paramedics. they can give all types of drugs.

to compare FF1 &FF2 and EMT & Paramedic is like comparing apples to oranges. many people, almost all paid and many vol will take FF2, because it suppliments their knowledge in firefighting and firefighting tactics. with EMS, many people (especially in NJ) are satisfied with the basic course, and will take additional courses that are relevant to their level of expertise. also, people have made a career out of being an EMT-Basic (ie, UMDNJ- Newark EMS, Jersey City EMS,etc). most paramedics (as a general rule, not absolute) work as paid paramedics, or will work paid for one place and volunteer in another.