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Online College Degree
Online EMS & Paramedic Degree Programs
Choose from these online accredited degree programs in paramedic science and emergency medical services.
In an emergency situation, EMS and paramedic personnel must respond quickly to avert disasters, save lives, and restore crucial services. EMTs and paramedics are responsible for emergency medical care of persons involved in a number of incidents, including violent assaults, strokes, boating and car accidents, and serious injuries. In addition to quick reactions and professional care they provide, more specialized care can be provided by EMTs with extra training. All of this care is performed while transporting the patient to the hospital.
EMTs and paramedics usually work in teams—one drives the ambulance while the other takes care of the patient, who has been placed on a stretcher and secured to the ambulance. In some situations EMTs and paramedics work as part of a helicopter crew that rushes patients to hospitals when extreme medical attention is required more quickly.
Emergency medical care is required 24 hours a day, so EMTs and paramedics often must work odd hours and be on call for long periods of time. Emergency medical personnel employed with private ambulance services work an average of 45 to 50 hours per week; with hospitals they work 45 to 60 hours a week; and those with fire departments average about 50 hours per week.
Job and Employment Opportunities
The work of an EMS and paramedic professional can be physically taxing. They have to work both outdoors and indoors, in all types of weather conditions, at any time of the day or night. The work of an EMS and paramedic professional can be physically taxing. They have to work both outdoors and indoors, in all types of weather conditions, at any time of the day or night. However, the rewards associated with saving lives tend to outweigh the physical and emotional demands of this job. In addition, salary ranges are high, with experienced professionals making nearly $45,000 a year on average. Because health-related emergencies will become more frequent as city population densities increase, demand for EMS and paramedic specialists will probably rise in the coming years.
Salary ranges are high, with experienced professionals making nearly $45,000 a year on average. Because health-related emergencies will become more frequent as city population densities increase, demand for EMS and paramedic specialists will probably rise in the coming years.
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