Emergency Medicine Careers
Often the first person to reach a person in a medical crisis is the Emergency Medical Technician, also known as an EMT. All 50 states require certification for EMTs, but requirements vary from state to state. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies five levels of EMTs. They are First Responder, EMT-Basic, two levels of EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic. Training for EMTs is offered nationwide at most community colleges and some hospitals. Requirements include a high school diploma, the sincere desire to help others, good physical agility, the capability to work well with all types of people, the willingness to work in all types of weather conditions and the ability to lift heavy loads.
The EMTs often transport a patient in an ambulance so he or she can receive further medical attention. Here an entire team of medical professionals are ready to do whatever they can to ensure a successful recovery for the patient. Upon arrival, the first person the patient might see is often a registered nurse (RN.). He or she is trained to triage, or quickly access a person's medical condition and prioritize medical needs. Fortunately, in an emergency room it is not first come, first served. Those most direly in need of medical attention get care first. An RN has a high school diploma as well as successful completion of a three or four year program. This educational program must be followed by passing NCLEX-RN, a national examination given by the National Council of Licensure Examination.
The nurse may be assisted by a licensed practical nurse (LPN.) This medical professional has a high school diploma and has successfully completed a one year program. An LPN must pass the NCLEX-LPN, a national examination given by the National Council of Licensure Examination.
An emergency room technician may help the nursing staff make the patient as comfortable as possible. This technician has successfully completed a short vocational program for nursing assistants or medical assistants.
The most highly trained person on the emergency room medical team is the emergency room physician. He or she has a four year college degree and a four year medical school degree followed by three to eight years of residency and internship. This physician must have extraordinary medical skills plus the ability to think clearly and quickly while remaining calm. Their decisions literally affect the lives of their patients every day. The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) certifies emergency room physicians. Physicians are not required by law to have ABEM certification. Instead, they voluntarily take the rigid exam and undergo the scrutiny of the ABEM in order to become certified.
All levels of careers in emergency medicine are in high demand nationwide. Starting pay is based on the amount of education needed with cost of living variances according to the area of the country where the job is located.
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To learn more about careers in emergency medicine visit the emergency medicine locums page for more information and how to apply for a job.