What does a Paramedic do?
Paramedics provide medical attention and transportation to hospitals for sick or injured individuals on the scene during emergencies. They often work in conjunction with local police and firefighters and provide immediate medical attention to sick or injured patients. Paramedics examine the condition of a patient while and when necessary, they administer oral or intravenous medicine. They are responsible for operating heart monitors, defibrillators, and other equipment and interpreting the readings recorded by heart monitoring devices.
Paramedics perform endotracheal procedures, and they relay important information to emergency room staff when they arrive at the hospital. Paramedics are required to clean areas that may have become contaminated if the patient has a communicable disease. They check to make sure the equipment is functioning properly and replace used supplies before they are called out onto another emergency. Paramedics must complete a paramedic training program, some of which lead to certification or an associate's degree, and they must be licensed in the state where they work.
- Deliver care to critically ill or injured patients.
- Lead the preparation of regulatory dossiers for submission to Health Authorities.
- Provide guidance to employees responding to difficult and complex situations/calls.
- Provide accurate regulatory assessments of CMC changes to teams/projects and executes regulatory planning and implementation.
- Handle internal and external customer service issues, complaints and conflicts.
- Perform advanced or basic life support to patients according to protocols and level of certification.
- Enter inspections, training, and fire and emergency medical service calls into the records management systems.
- Inspect employee paperwork (EPCRs) and assist with scheduling issues as needed.
- Keep abreast of new developments in patient care technologies.
- Learn and correctly apply routine division and department policies and procedures.
- Associate's Degree or training in ems, health science or paramedic technology and relevant experience.
- Experience with BCLS, C, ReACT, MICU, and DAT programs and processes.
- Fluency in HIPAA protocols and procedures.
- Comfortable with procedures such as defibrillation cardiopulmonary resuscitation, injections, intubation, and ventilation.
- Demonstrated leadership and problem solving skills.
- A sound collaborator and professional at all times.
- Can deploy time management and critical thinking skills under pressure.
- Is comfortable working as an advocate.
How much does a Paramedic make near United States?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$59,825
/ yrParamedic Career Path
Learn how to become a Paramedic, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Paramedic Insights
Ambulance Service of NSW“Pay is terrible for what we have to be skilled in and what we do.”
PHI Air Medical“The schedule was different and did not allow for a good life to work balance.”
Sacred Cross EMS“I enjoyed working here but the pay is not high enough to justify staying for any length of time.”
Heart It Out“I had such an amazing experience working with the wonderful people at heart it out.”
Air Evac Lifeteam“sick patients because ground units can't transport or don't want to transport them.”
Morrisons“High expectations from 3 rubbish store managers that don't have a clue about the job.”
Hamilton County EMS“Our pay is the BEST when you factor in the benefits we receive versus other agencies.”
Acadian Ambulance Service“Biased and special treatment exists in all areas of operation.”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Paramedic
When working as a Paramedic, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are External Defibrillator, CPR, Pulmonary Function, BCLS, and Protocols.
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Patient Care Professional
- Certified Nursing Assistant
The most common qualifications to become a Paramedic include a minimum of a Associate's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 years of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.