You love to help people, so why not join a field where you can help provide emergency care to people daily? Pursuing EMT career opportunities could be a great way to protect and care for those in your community once you’ve received the necessary training and licensure. Emergency medical technicians are first responders who provide medical care to patients before they are taken to the hospital. EMTs are often the first point of contact for patients who are experiencing a medical emergency. This means that they must be able to think and act quickly in order to provide the best possible care for their patients.
By choosing an EMT career path, you’re saying “yes” to the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of others. Your compassion, problem-solving and interpersonal skills are key components to this fulfilling career path. Are you ready to embark on this journey towards a career as an emergency medical technician? Discover our top 3 qualities of an EMT and find out whether an EMT career is right for you!
Discover how you can get on the path to find EMT career opportunities!
1. Having Compassion for others
Some important qualities an EMT should have are compassion and interpersonal skills. Emergency medical technicians make use of their interpersonal skills when they’re working with colleagues and communicating with patients in stressful situations. Emergency medical technicians must be compassionate as well and be able to provide emotional support to patients who are in life-threatening situations or extreme mental distress.
2. Mental strength: The Ability to Perform Under Pressure
Mental strength is an important quality for anyone in a high-pressure emergency situation but especially for those who help save lives. While it’s impossible to know exactly how someone will react under pressure until they are in that situation, there are certain qualities that tend to denote mental strength and are important for EMTs. Some of these qualities are:
- The ability to stay calm under pressure
- The ability to make quick decisions
- The ability to remain calm and focused in chaotic situations
Sometimes these qualities need to be practiced and that is where training plays a vital role. In EMT-B training, through simulated training environments, students can prepare for scenarios they may encounter once on the job. Your training could help you apply the best judgment and discover effective solutions in caring for others.
3. Physical fitness and stamina
One of the more stand out qualities of an EMT is physical fitness and stamina. It is an important requirement for all emergency medical technicians. EMTs will be faced with many scenarios where they must be able to lift and carry patients, sometimes for long distances. They must also be able to stand for long periods of time and be able to bend, kneel, and stoop. In addition, they must have good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity, as they will be using a variety of equipment. Finally, an EMT must have good stamina in order to work in a fast-paced environment.
EMT Skills obtained through education and experience
It is important to have some core qualities as an EMT, however there is a wide range of skills you must have in order to provide the best possible care for patients. While some of these skills may be learned through formal training, others are soft skills that are developed through experience. Some of the most important skills for an EMT to have include:
- Communication skills
- Professionalism in high stress situations
- Basic life support
- Patient assessment
Being an emergency medical technician can be rewarding and challenging. The career requires a combination of skills and qualities, including the ability to think and act quickly, stay calm under pressure, and be compassionate. If you think you have what it takes to be an EMT, the next step is to find a training program near you!
Learn how to get started with an EMT training program in Michigan
Explore your Emergency Medical Technician training options at Dorsey College! By enrolling and successfully completing our Emergency Medical Technician program, you could be one step closer to a career in emergency medical services! Our team is dedicated to providing you with both in-class instruction and hands-on training you may need for success. For students who successfully complete the Dorsey College Emergency Medical Technician training, they will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam for EMT-B. Begin your new journey at Dorsey College!
Dorsey College has determined that its Emergency Medical Technician program curriculum is sufficient to fulfill educational requirements for licensure in the State of Michigan only. No educational determinations have been made for any other state, district, or US territory in regards to licensure requirements.
