Emergency Medical Services Personnel

Field of Study — Other Health Care Careers

Emergency medical services personnel work in pre-hospital emergency care, providing immediate care to the critically ill and injured. In Virginia, career (paid) and volunteer opportunities are available with rescue squads, fire departments, hospitals, commercial ambulance services, medevac services and private industry. Depending on their training, emergency medical services personnel:

• control bleeding, provide CPR, treat environmental emergencies, care for burns, splint and bandage, free those trapped in vehicles or water and assist with emergency childbirth.
• observe and report patients’ conditions and communicate with medical personnel at emergency departments via mobile radio and telephone systems.
• immobilize, secure, lift and move patients.
• assess the nature and extent of illness or injury before arriving at the hospital.
• work with law enforcement, fire services and emergency dispatch centers.
• reassure patients, families and bystanders during medical emergencies.
• assess hazardous material incidents, using decontamination techniques as needed.
• drive and operate emergency vehicles.
• clean, maintain and inspect medical and rescue equipment.

There are various levels of emergency medical personnel:

• first responders control bleeding, perform CPR, provide oxygen and stabilize fractures.
• emergency medical technicians (EMTs) assist those being transported by ambulance. EMTs assess patients’ conditions, immobilize broken bones, deliver babies and treat for shock, serious illnesses or cardiac problems.
• enhanced technicians start intravenous fluid lines, administer limited medications and employ specialized airway techniques.
• intermediate technicians administer a variety of medications, use advanced airway techniques, do cardiac monitoring (EKGs) and use defibrillator units.

Paramedics offer the highest level of pre-hospital care in Virginia. They receive expanded medical, trauma and pediatric emergency training, including extensive inhospital clinical rotations. Paramedics can administer a greater variety of drugs and do specialized cardiac monitoring and trauma care. In Virginia, medevac helicopter units employ specialized flight nurses or paramedics.

Educational Requirements

Students interested in emergency medical service professions should take challenging courses in high school science and health/safety and first aid (including CPR). Students should also take driver’s education and volunteer in a related setting.

To be certified for positions beyond EMT, candidates must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

The higher level the position sought, the more additional education and training required. Continuing education is necessary for recertification.

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Educational Institutions

Virginia Colleges and Universities

American Public University
Bridgewater College
Hampton University, Roanoke
Hampton University College of Health, College of Health
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Mary Washington College, Roanoke
University of Richmond

Virginia Community Colleges

Central Virginia Community College
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Lord Fairfax Community College, Fauquier Campus
Lord Fairfax Community College, Middleton Campus
Mountain Empire Community College
Northern Virginia Community College, Medical Education Center
Patrick Henry Community College
Southside Virginia Community College, Christianna Campus
Southside Virginia Community College, John H. Daniel Campus
Southwest Virginia Community College
Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach Campus
Virginia Highlands Community College

Virginia Hospitals and Health Care Facilities

Shore Memorial Hospital, LPN School of Nursing
Twin County Regional Hospital
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
Virginia Commonwealth University, Health Systems Center for Trauma and Critical Care Education

Virginia Vocational Schools

Arlington Career Center
Essex High School
Hermitage Technical Center
Office of Emergency Services
The Pruden Center
William Fleming High School

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Professional Associations

• National Association of EMS Educators
  700 N. Bell Ave.
  Suite 260
  Carnegie, PA 15106
  (412) 429-9550
  http://www.naemse.org
• National Association of EMTs
  408 Monroe St.
  Clinton, MS 39056
  1-800-34-NAEMT
  http://www.naemt.org
• Office of Emergency Medical Services
  Virginia Department of Health
  1538 E. Parham Road
  Richmond, VA 23228
  (804) 371-3500
  http://www.vdh.state.va.us/oems

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