Description of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

An emergency medical technician (EMT), also known as an ambulance technician, is a health professional that provides emergency medical services. EMTs are most commonly found working in ambulances. In English-speaking countries, paramedics are a separate profession that has additional educational requirements, qualifications, and scope of practice.

Hazard controls

EMTs are exposed to a variety of hazards such as lifting patients and equipment, treating those with infectious disease, handling hazardous substances, and transportation via ground or air vehicles. Employers can prevent occupational illness or injury by providing safe patient handling equipment, implementing a training program to educate EMTs on job hazards, and supplying PPE such as respirators, gloves, and isolation gowns when dealing with biological hazards.

Infectious disease has become a major concern, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies and organizations have issued guidance regarding workplace hazard controls for COVID-19. Some specific recommendations include modified call queries, symptom screening, universal PPE use, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and stringent disinfection protocols. Research on ambulance ventilation systems found that aerosols often recirculate throughout the compartment, creating a health hazard for EMTs when transporting sick patients capable of airborne transmission. Unidirectional airflow design can better protect workers.

EMTs are often employed by private ambulance services, municipal EMS agencies, governments, hospitals, and fire departments. Some EMTs are paid employees, while others (particularly those in rural areas) are volunteers. EMTs provide medical care under a set of protocols, which are typically written by a physician.

Agency Verification form DOH 3312 must be downloaded at: https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-3312.pdf This form must be submitted on the first day of class.

• All Students requiring a CPR card must pay a $30.00 fee for certification card (due on first day of class)
• All tuition payments are due at registration

For course questions, please contact:
Jim Irvine, Director of Corporate and Continuing Professional Education 914-606-6658 james.irvine@sunywcc.edu
Course Information Contact: Drew Fried at drew.fried@sunywcc.edu