Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics

• Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.
• Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
• Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.
• Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as stomach suction, airway management, or heart monitoring, during ambulance ride.
• Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
• Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures under a physician's direction.
• Decontaminate ambulance interior following treatment of patient with infectious disease and report case to proper authorities.
• Drive mobile intensive care unit to specified location, following instructions from emergency medical dispatcher.
• Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment and replenish first aid equipment and supplies.
• Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
• Immobilize patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device.
• Coordinate with treatment center personnel to obtain patients' vital statistics and medical history, to determine the circumstances of the emergency, and to administer emergency treatment.
• Communicate with dispatchers or treatment center personnel to provide information about situation, to arrange reception of victims, or to receive instructions for further treatment.
• Comfort and reassure patients.
• Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.