Paramedic Career Facts
Paramedics play an important role in their communities, whether they are a designated part of the city or town fire department or work in tandem with a local or regional hospital or other ambulatory care center.
Paramedics are the first responders to deliver crucial medical and often life-saving care at scenes of accidents, disasters, or emergency health episodes. They work long, physically laborious shifts in high-stress environments, answering the call to action whenever it arises. They are some of the most depended-upon professionals in the community and health-care industry.
Are you considering a career as a paramedic? To help you decide if this is the path for you, read on for some trivia about the profession.
● Paramedics are the most highly-qualified emergency medical responders, skilled and trained to deliver more care than basic level EMTs or other rescue personnel.
● Most paramedics work full-time hours, though their shifts vary and often involve workdays longer than eight hours and including overnights.
● The work of a paramedic can be emotionally and mentally tiring and stressful, as well as physically demanding. Paramedics are often tasked with handling heavy and delicate medical equipment as well as maneuvering people who may be temporarily or permanently immobile or disabled.
● As of a May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the median annual salary for paramedics was $31,980, or $15.38 hourly.
● The BLS estimated a 2014-2024 job growth rate of 24%, which is much faster than the average industry’s expected growth.
● There are many different tasks a paramedic may do on any given day. They are needed to respond to emergency 911 calls, drive and operate ambulances and accompanying equipment, assess patients on the scene and administer medical care, document and report findings to hospital staff, and maintain the cleanliness and stock of the ambulance and other equipment necessary.
● Paramedics may need a diploma and/or an associate’s degree, as well as high school education.
● In 2014, nearly half (48%) of paramedics were employed by ambulance services, 29% by local governments and 16% by various types of hospitals.
