What is the difference between a Paramedic and an Emergency Medical Technician?
Emergency Medical Technicians receive a minimum of 306 hours of training to obtain their certification. They are trained to examine patients to determine the nature and extent of injury or illness, administer first aid and emergency basic life support, such as patient assessment, use of adjunctive breathing aids, administering oxygen, splinting, bleeding control and doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Paramedics receive all of the training and perform the tasks required of Emergency Medical Technicians plus more complex procedures such as inserting intravenous catheters, administering intravenous solutions, administering emergency medications, inserting advanced breathing-aid devices, using suction equipment, heart monitoring equipment, and defibrillators. Paramedic training is at a minimum 1090 hours above and beyond Emergency Medical Technician Training.
