What Kind of Jobs Can You Get as an EMT?

When you think of emergency medical technicians (EMT), you probably picture a uniformed professional working in an ambulance, carting patients on a gurney. This is an accurate image for an in-demand career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is an anticipated 11% growth for EMTs and Paramedics between 2020-2030.

While becoming a paramedic is the typical career path for EMT-certified professionals, there are plenty of job opportunities in similar or related fields. The EMT-Paramedic degree at Herzing University is specifically designed to prepare future EMTs for a rewarding career, but their training can be helpful to pursue other jobs as well.

While some of these roles can be attained simply through an EMT certification or degree, others may require additional specialized training or education. With an EMT license, jobs like the ones listed below can be an option to start your path into health care.

1. Emergency Dispatcher

Emergency dispatchers take emergency calls and direct them to the proper authorities, such as emergency medical teams, police, firefighters and first responders. They will send information to these groups of people and send the proper response team.

In addition to communicating with different emergency departments, emergency dispatchers typically assess the nature of an emergency and solicit valuable information at the scene. . They also provide callers with advice to maintain safety while waiting for a response team to arrive.

According to the BLS, Public Safety Telecommunicators usually require on-the-job training and additional certification. Becoming an emergency dispatcher is a great way to employ some of the same key skills you learned as an EMT such as staying calm under pressure, assessing crises and being flexible.

2. Firefighter

Did you know that many fire departments require their firefighters to be EMT-certified?

Firefighters are emergency responders who control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment. While their duties include preventing fire damage and protecting citizens, they often serve as medical responders to provide healthcare during some necessary situations. Having your EMT certification is crucial in these situations when assessing patients’ conditions, dealing with trauma, and clearing obstructed airways.

Being a firefighter includes other forms of training and hands-on experience, but your EMT certification can provide an important foundation to build on.

3. First Aid Instructor

If you are interested in helping others but don’t want to work on the front lines, consider becoming a first aid instructor. You can continue to spread your knowledge as an EMT to a new generation of lifeguards, babysitters and others who need emergency preparedness to perform their roles.

First aid instructors educate others on different fundamental care procedures like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), wound treatment and automated external defibrillation (AED). These professionals must be able to teach others how to respond to emergencies and provide proper treatment promptly.

Many First Aid Instructors have previous experience working on the front lines in crises like EMTs or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA). While it is recommended to have this experience, some positions require it.

4. Lifeguard Instructor 

If you are someone who loves the water, then you may choose to become a lifeguard instructor.

Lifeguarding may seem like a job for young professionals looking for a gig over the summer break, but it is an extremely important role in maintaining public safety. According to the American Red Cross, professionals teach valuable lifesaving skills to an average of more than 2 million people each year. 

Lifeguards monitor pools, lakes, water parks and other aquatic locations to ensure the safety of swimmers. They are responsible for warning swimmers about hazards and enforcing water safety. When the situation arises, lifeguards typically must perform water rescues and first aid. As a lifeguard instructor, it is your responsibility for training lifeguards in these key rules and regulations.

Lifeguard instructors require certification in a lifeguard instructor course, but previous experience is always welcome.

5. Health Information Technician

Health information technicians typically perform administrative duties within a health care environment. Many technicians will support or manage patient medical records and handle record requests and authorizations. Although medical records and health information specialists do not provide direct patient care, they work regularly with other healthcare professionals to clarify diagnoses or to get additional information.

According to the BLS, experience in healthcare is enough to qualify for some health information technician positions, but others require additional education. While you may be required to go back to school to pursue a degree like Health Information Management, your previous work and educational experience may help you complete the program with ease. By earning an EMT degree, you can potentially transfer credit earned into a bachelor’s degree program.

Earning an EMT provides you with a diverse variety of career options to either launch yourself into a new career.