Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

 

Career Profile
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics provide on-the-scene, immediate medical care to patients in emergency situations such as an automobile accident or heart attack. They also transport the sick or injured to a medical facility.

Paramedics are typically dispatched to the scene by a 911 operator and often work with police and fire department. Paramedics must know how to assess the emergency scene, control bleeding, apply splints, assist with childbirth, administer oxygen, and perform CPR and other basic life support skills. Paramedics may assist a patient with the administration of the patient's prescribed nitroglycerin or handheld inhaler, administer intravenous fluids, use manual defibrillators to give lifesaving shocks to a stopped heart, use advanced airway techniques and equipment to assist patients experiencing respiratory emergencies, and administer more emergency medications and perform a wider variety of procedures.

Paramedics work for fire departments, police departments, hospitals, and private and public ambulance services.

 

Job Outlook

• Regional Employment 2000: 660
• Projected Regional Employment 2010: 860
• Absolute Change 2000 - 2010: 200
• Percent Change 2000 - 2010: 30.30%
• Average Hourly Wage 2000: $11.04
• Average Openings per year due to Replacement: 15
• Average Openings per year due to Growth: 20

 

Salary
Medical Lab Technologist positions have an average starting salary of $16-19/hr.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

 

Disqualifiers/Barriers

• Must submit to a criminal background check
• Felony and misdemeanor offenses are carefully scrutinized

Important Skills

• Eye - hand coordination and good motor skills
• Finger dexterity
• Audio acuity
• Visual acuity
• Good communication skills; verbal and written
• Good people skills
• Good problem solving and decision making skills
• Good math skills
• Physical ability to lift and move patients
• Motivated learner
• Well developed study skills

 

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

 

Educational Programs
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services Technology at Austin Community College

 

Certification
AHAACLS and PALS and a trauma course certification are offered as part of the Program. Upon completion of all course work for the degree in Emergency Medical Services Technology, the student is eligible to take both State and National Registry exams for certification as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic. All students participate in the National Registry examination.

 

Length of Training/Requirements
ACC's degree plan in EMS Technology is a two-year course of study (including one summer). This degree plan combines classroom teaching with supervised clinical and field experience for the emergency medical health professional. Emphasis is placed on patient assessment and initial treatment of the following: respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine and nervous system problems; obstetrical, pediatric, geriatric and behavioral emergencies; bleeding and shock; all types of trauma and burns. The student will also receive information on pharmacology, toxicology, environmental and infectious diseases and all aspects of EMS Systems.

 

Location of Classes
Lectures and labs are held at an ACC campus. The required clinical training is scheduled in local healthcare providers.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

 

City of Austin
C/O City of Austin Emergency Medical Services Department
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767

 

City of Austin
RBJ Health Center
2nd Floor21 Waller Street
Austin, Texas