Paramedics are individuals who are trained in emergency medical assistance – they respond to emergency 911 calls and sudden situations which require medical help. They are trained to be useful in crises and are educated in emergency medical treatments. Paramedics are required at all hours of the day and night – they must be prepared to be on duty at odd hours. The job opportunities available for paramedics are varied and they can extend their career opportunities with higher certifications and extended training programs.

Job Description and Responsibilities of a Paramedic
Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians are required to man emergency vehicles like the ambulances that are sent to answer 911 calls. Paramedics are also sometimes employed by private employers who require that they be present in case of emergencies – especially on official trips by government officials or businessmen. Paramedics also have to man passenger vehicles so that there is always a person standing by who can help in case of any medical emergency. Paramedics are required in the field of law enforcement and firefighting as well – when the presence of a paramedic on the team is sometimes extremely crucial.

Paramedics have to be trained in emergency medical assistance and they should be qualified to assess the medical condition of a patient or victim, use the equipment available in the emergency vehicle to stabilize the condition of the patient and provide pre-hospital interventions as required while the patient is being transported to the hospital.
Educational Requirements For a Person Aspiring to be a Paramedic
If you want to become a paramedic you should firstly have a high school diploma or a certificate that shows that you have passed the general education development test. After this you must train and then work for some time as an EMT or an Emergency Medical Technician. The EMT training has two levels that must both be completed in order to proceed to the next level of training to become a paramedic. The EMT-Basic training qualifies you to work under a professional who has had more training – and teaches you the basics of emergency treatments. The EMT-Intermediate level differs according to the State you live in – different states require different qualifications from trainees who want to be certified as EMT-Intermediate. After this is over, one must have work experience as an EMT for a brief period of time before one can join the paramedics course. One needs to be a certified as a professional paramedic in order to extend one’s career. There are extended training programs that you have to take after this regularly in order to re-apply for your paramedics license.
Employment Outlook
The number of paramedic jobs available is slowly increasing – and is predicted to increase by nine per cent between 2008 and 2018. This is because of the increase in population and the opening of paramedic facilities in smaller towns and villages as well as in big towns and cities. The average salary of a paramedic is around $14 per hour – but good career opportunities can get you more that $24.

Being a paramedic is mainly about saving lives – and if you want a career in this field you should be dedicated and a hard worker.