The abbreviation EMS stands for emergency medical services.
They’re also known as EMTs, paramedics, rescue squads, or ambulatory services, depending on the country.
EMS provides on-site medical aid and hospital transportation to patients requiring immediate medical care.
Hospitals and urgent care centers utilize emergency medical services when individuals cannot reach them independently or promptly.
The purpose of EMS is to deliver immediate response pre-hospital care to patients suffering from injuries and illnesses.
Emergency medical services prolong the patient’s life and vital system functions until they arrive at a medical center.
When patients arrive at the medical center, they receive more advanced medical treatment, procedures, and technologies.
EMS professionals learn a wide variety of skills to provide exceptional on-site emergency care.
It includes basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), wound care, and other emergency procedures.
EMS also learn to utilize life-saving medical equipment onboard their ambulatory vehicles.
An emergency medical services team consists of various medical professionals and support staff to ensure patient safety and well-being.
It may include an ambulance driver, ambulance care assistant, EMT, paramedic, registered nurse, and physician.
However, registered nurses and physicians rarely accompany EMS unless required for particular situations.
Most emergency medical services teams consist of two or three members from the above group.
In addition, the title given to an EMS professional may vary depending on the country.
Ambulance Driver
The ambulance driver is responsible for getting the EMS team to the emergency scene.
They perform numerous duties before, during, and after a medical emergency or shift.
For instance, they inspect the ambulatory vehicle each shift to ensure it’s adequately supplied, fueled, and in good condition.
They also provide first aid and transport the patient to the designated hospital/urgent care center.
Before and after the shift, the ambulance driver will log daily entries, travel times, and mileage and sanitize the ambulance.
Accordingly, the ambulance driver plays an essential role in the emergency medical services team.
Ambulance Care Attendant
Ambulance care attendants assist EMTs, paramedics, and firefighters at the scene of a medical emergency.
They’re responsible for helping assess the patient’s medical condition and providing first aid if necessary.
They also assist with transporting the patient into and out of the ambulance.
Periodically ambulance care attendants work as EMT-Basic, first responders, EMS drivers, or emergency vehicle operators.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
Emergency medical technicians arrive at a patient’s location to provide on-site emergency medical care.
EMTs assess their patient’s medical needs, perform necessary treatments, and transport patients to a healthcare facility.
They also use various medications, medical tools, and instruments to keep patients stable during transportation.
It includes AEDs, IVs, defibrillators, heart monitors, and other emergency equipment.
EMTs receive training in BLS (CPR, glucose, and oxygen monitoring), injury assessment, and other procedures.
Paramedics
Paramedics provide advanced patient assessments and medical care to those requiring on-site medical attention.
Their advanced training allows them to provide care beyond the scope of an EMT.
As a result, they can provide a broader range of medical applications and medications to patients suffering from illness and injuries.
Paramedics learn advanced cardiac life support procedures, wound care, and other essential life-saving approaches.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses use their training and expertise to provide additional assistance and medical care in emergencies.
Unlike other first responders, registered nurses may continue patient care once they arrive at the hospital or urgent care center.
In many cases, registered nurses aren’t part of an EMS team, except for ambulatory care nurses.
However, EMS sometimes utilize them when the EMS team has a shortage, or necessary team members aren’t available.
EMS also utilizes nurses during large-scale emergencies for on-site medical aid when more medical specialists are needed.
Physician
Physicians are capable of providing the highest level of medical care.
These medical professionals may perform emergency surgical operations on patients requiring extensive pre-hospital care.
As with registered nurses, physicians aren’t typically part of an EMS team unless required for particular emergencies.
A physician may work on-call for specific medical necessities or as part of an EMS team in high-risk areas.
Emergency Call Dispatcher
An emergency call dispatcher communicates directly with first responders and emergency response teams.
They utilize radios and other telecommunication devices to provide vital information so EMS can adequately treat patients.
Emergency call dispatchers communicate the patient’s location, injury/illness, current health status, and other vital data.
That way, ems can respond appropriately and immediately to the emergency.
The medical professionals operating in an EMS team vary by country.
As a result, not all medical professionals mentioned above will work in a given area or during a specific emergency call.
Where Do EMS Work?
EMS work in a wide variety of medical settings.
It includes rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, trauma centers, urgent care centers, specialty departments, fire departments, and ambulatory care services.
They also serve in various urban and rural settings to ensure people receive timely care regardless of their location.
EMS operates 24/7 in various weather environments to provide necessary on-site care in emergencies.
As a result, they’re an essential part of any emergency care department that requires professionals to transport patients in need of medical assistants.
EMS Training and Certification
EMS receive extensive training to provide emergency care to various individuals.
As a result, it’s essential to obtain the necessary certifications from accredited programs to ensure their state-approved and sufficiently educational.
There are several routes to find accredited EMS training and certification programs.
If you’d like to learn more about EMS training and certification programs, numerous online resources offer valuable information.
You can check websites like the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and RedCross.org for direct support on EMT/EMS classes.
In addition, you can check your local hospital, urgent care center, police department, or library to get additional information on the EMS program.
You must vet the training program to ensure you’ll receive the training needed to perform well in the field.
How Long Is EMS Training?
The time needed to complete EMS training varies depending on the institution.
However, students can expect to participate in 120 – 220 credit hours in school to obtain their certification.
Many programs require 2- 4 months of education in total to complete.
Those who pursue AEMT training may require an additional 350 hours to complete the program.
It allows students to provide advanced care and earn a higher salary due to the extensive training.
Additional Resources:
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
- Advanced cardiac life support
- Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support