Paramedics

Roles of Paramedics and EMTs

The EMTs and paramedics work with the emergency physician as a team from the moment the paramedics are first contacted until the patient is treated in Emerson's Emergency Department. However, each has distinct capabilities.

An EMT receives 120 hours of training in basic life support and is qualified to perform non-invasive procedures (those in which nothing is inserted into the body) such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), administration of oxygen, splinting of fractured limbs, and extrication of victims of motor vehicle accidents. In addition, the Emerson paramedics have trained area EMTs in the use of semi-automatic defibrillators for patients in cardiac arrest.

A paramedic receives 1,500 hours of training in advanced life support and is qualified, under the direction of a physician, to perform certain invasive procedures, which are usually performed only in a hospital's emergency department. These include:

Providing intravenous therapy for treatment of life-threatening conditions
Utilizing 12-lead EKG technology to determine the presence of cardiac injury
Using an EKG (electrocardiogram) monitor/defibrillator to analyze and correct irregular heart rhythms
Inserting a tube down the patient's trachea (intubation) to maintain an open airway
Administering a wide range of emergency medications

Additional Duties

In addition to responding to more than 3,600 calls each year, Emerson paramedics assist in the Emergency Department and provide patient care elsewhere in the hospital.

Community Outreach

Paramedics teach EMT refresher courses, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support courses and conduct stroke awareness programs for local EMTs and the community.

Emerson paramedics have provided EMS support for the Seniors PGA at Nashawtuc annually for over 22 years.

Emerson paramedics also visit areas schools upon request to teach students about how to handle an emergency and what a paramedic does.

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	Paramedics Roles of Paramedics and EMTs The EMTs and paramedics work with the emergency physician as a team from the moment the paramedics are first contacted until the patient is treated in Emerson's Emergency Department. However, each has distinct capabilities. An EMT receives 120 hours of training in basic life support and is qualified to perform non-invasive procedures (those in which nothing is inserted into the body) such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), administration of oxygen, splinting of fractured limbs, and extrication of victims of motor vehicle accidents. In addition, the Emerson paramedics have trained area EMTs in the use of semi-automatic defibrillators for patients in cardiac arrest. A paramedic receives 1,500 hours of training in advanced life support and is qualified, under the direction of a physician, to perform certain invasive procedures, which are usually performed only in a hospital's emergency department. These include: Providing intravenous therapy for treatment of life-threatening conditions Utilizing 12-lead EKG technology to determine the presence of cardiac injury Using an EKG (electrocardiogram) monitor/defibrillator to analyze and correct irregular heart rhythms Inserting a tube down the patient's trachea (intubation) to maintain an open airway Administering a wide range of emergency medications Additional Duties In addition to responding to more than 3,600 calls each year, Emerson paramedics assist in the Emergency Department and provide patient care elsewhere in the hospital. Community Outreach Paramedics teach EMT refresher courses, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support courses and conduct stroke awareness programs for local EMTs and the community. Emerson paramedics have provided EMS support for the Seniors PGA at Nashawtuc annually for over 22 years. Emerson paramedics also visit areas schools upon request to teach students about how to handle an emergency and what a paramedic does.