Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate and Intermediate Technician (EMT-2/EMT-3)

  • Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate and Intermediate Technician (EMT-2/EMT-3)

Work Activities/Work Locations

  • Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) provide emergency medical care to the sick or injured at the scene and en route to the hospital. They assess many varying emergency situations and determine what care is needed and provide that care.
  • They maintain contact with the hospital emergency room physicians who prescribe drugs and/or medical procedures that EMTs administer to patients while en route to the nearest ER.
  • When arriving they transport patients to the emergency department, and report their observations and actions to hospital staff. Afterward, they restock supplies, check equipment, and decontaminate the vehicle if disease was present.
  • Some must be able to safely drive ambulances through traffic to get people to hospitals as quickly as possible.
  • Beyond general duties, there are four levels of qualifications for further duties: First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate/Intermediate Technician, and EMT-Paramedic. Some states, however, do their own certification and use different rating scales to determine proficiency.
  • Medical First Responder – Entry level, very basic emergency medical care. Many firefighters, police officer, and business/industry utilize this level therefore we will not deal here with this basic training.
  • EMT-Basic – Trained to care for patients on accident scenes and on transport by ambulance to the hospital. They have skills to assess a patient’s condition and manage breathing, heart, and trauma emergencies. Potential occupations include EMT-Basic, Ambulance Attendant and Firefighter.
  • One must successfully complete EMT-Basic as a prerequisite for enrolling in EMT-Intermediate. The Intermediate level has two Certifications – EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Intermediate Technician.
  • EMT-Intermediate – Has more advanced training emphasizing dealing with cardiac problems using advanced invasive skills including advanced airways, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and medication intervention.
  • EMT-Intermediate Technician – Will be able to initiate intravenous (IV) therapy, administer select medications approved by DHFS and local medical directors via intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, sublingual and inhalation routes.
  • They work in hospitals, police, fire and public services departments, or are employed by rescue squads or private ambulance services.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • EMTs like helping people during emergencies. They take pride in efficiently handling serious medical situations.
  • They must be able to work as a member of a team. Must be able to work without direct supervision.
  • Their work can be stressful. Not for people who lose control during a crisis. Courage, dedication and assertiveness are assets.
  • Many work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays.
  • EMTs work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather, under adverse conditions.
  • 80% of EMTs in Wisconsin are paid on a per call basis. Some EMTs are volunteers.

 Education: 1 year

 Patient Interaction: High

 Physical Activity: High

 Salary: $27,076

 Job Growth: High

Related Careers

Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMT-4/EMT-P/EMTP)

Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate and Intermediate Technician (EMT-2/EMT-3)

Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-1/EMT-B/EMTS)

 

Getting Started

  • Students should take a college preparatory curriculum.
  • Helpful high school courses would include anatomy and physiology, mathematics, English, chemistry, biology, Driver’s Education, and Medical Terminology.
  • Job shadowing is recommended.
  • For acceptance into the EMT Intermediate program, a Wisconsin State EMT- Basic Licensure is mandatory.
  • At Northcentral Technical College (NTC) EMT-Intermediate is a 9-credit, 3-course Vocational Diploma program—about 335 hours of classroom instruction, laboratory, and clinicals. All three courses must be taken concurrently during the same semester. Focuses on how to assess many varying emergency situations to determine what patient care is needed and provide the necessary care. Emphasis is on how to deal with cardiac problems using advanced invasive skills including advanced airways, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and medication interventions.
  • At NTC EMT-Intermediate Technician is a 3-credit Vocational Diploma program –about 96 hours (48 hours lecture/48 hours lab). This is the part of the EMT-Intermediate program that focuses on initiation of intravenous therapy, administration of select medications as approved by DHFS and local medical directors via intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, sublingual and inhalation routes.
  • After graduating from an accredited program, in order to practice as an EMT in Wisconsin you MUST be Certified AND Licensed.

Educational Institutions

Blackhawk Technical College
Fox Valley Technical College
Gateway Technical College
Lakeshore Technical College
Madison Area Technical College
Mid-State Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College – Beaver Dam
Moraine Park Technical College – Fond du Lac
Moraine Park Technical College – West Bend
Nicolet Area Technical College
Northcentral Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College 
Western Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – New Richmond
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – Rice Lake

  • A high school diploma/GED and being 18 years of age is required for acceptance into the EMT-Basic Program
  • For acceptance into the EMT Intermediate program, a Wisconsin State EMT- Basic Licensure is mandatory. Nicolet Area Technical College requires completion of an EMT-Basic or refresher course within the past 24 months. Nicolet also requires current endorsement of a physician medical director. These prerequisites are usually standard but can vary some for different schools.
  • Another prerequisite requires passage of a criminal background test and immunizations before Clinicals can be taken. Proof of CPR Professional Rescuer or CPR Healthcare Provider is also required.
  • After graduating from an accredited program, in order to practice as an EMT in Wisconsin you MUST be Certified AND Licensed.
  • CERTIFICATION means you have met the standards of the certifying body credentialing. Certification is recognized by employers, state licensing agencies and the public as being tied to competency.
  • STATE LICENSURE gives you the right to work in a particular capacity. National certified EMTs who are NOT State licensed CANNOT practice. After you obtain National Certification, you must obtain a license to work.
  • EMT Certification is through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Proof of accredited training, passing both a Cognitive Exam and Psychomotor Exam are among the requirements for Certification.
  • The NREMT EMT-Intermediate/99 cognitive exam is a computer-based test (CBT). Each candidate will see 150 questions. The maximum amount of time given to complete the exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The exam will cover the entire spectrum of EMS care including: Airway, Ventilation, Oxygenation; Trauma; Cardiology; Medical; and EMS Operations. Items related to patient care are focused on adult patients (85%) and pediatric patients (15%). The psychomotor section of the examination process consists of eleven (11) separate skills presented in a scenario-type format to approximate the abilities of the EMT-Intermediate/99 to function in the out-of-hospital setting.
  • The NREMT EMT-Intermediate/85 cognitive exam is a computer adaptive test (CAT). The number of items a candidate can expect on the EMT-Intermediate/85 exam will range from 85 to 135. The maximum amount of time given to complete the exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes. The exam will cover the entire spectrum of EMS care including: Airway, Ventilation, Oxygenation; Trauma; Cardiology; Medical; and EMS Operations. Items related to patient care are focused on adult patients (85%) and pediatric patients (15%). The psychomotor examination process consists of four (4) skills presented in a scenario-type format to assess the abilities of the EMT-Intermediate/85 to function in the out-of-hospital setting.
  • Obtaining Registration/Certification through the National Registry of EMTs is NOT to be confused with a Wisconsin license AND DOES NOT AUTHORIZE an individual to practice in the State of Wisconsin.
  • EMT (EMT-Basic, Intermediate Technician, Intermediate, and Paramedic) Licensure is through the State of Wisconsin. Proof of Certification and successful completion of Exam are among requirements for licensure.
  • Wisconsin E-licensing was implemented in August 2009. This system allows the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Section to issue one (1) EMS certificate/license to a First Responder or EMT at his/her highest eligible level. EMS personnel will no longer need to hold multiple licenses when affiliated with more than one EMS service.
  • Once licensed by the State of Wisconsin, individual EMS certificate/license holders will apply for local credentialing with any EMS providers with which they are associated.

 

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park St.
Clearwater, FL, 33756
727/210-2350
www.caahep.org/

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111 – 312
Rowlett, TX, 75088
214/703-8445
www.coaemsp.org/

Fire Science
www.firescience.org/paramedic-training-and-degree-programs-online/

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
PO Box 1400
Clinton, MS, 39060-1400
601/924-7744 or 800/34-NAEMT
www.naemt.org

National Association of EMS Physicians
PO Box 19570
Lenexa, KS, 66285
913/895-4611 or 800/228-3677
www.naemsp.org/

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
6610 Busch Blvd.
PO Box 29233
Columbus, OH, 43229
614/888-4484
www.nremt.org/

Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin
922 South Park St.
Madison, WI, 53715
608/310-7922
www.paaw.us/

Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI, 53703
608-266-1865 or 608-261-6870
dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/

Career Outlook

Number Employed in 2014 (Wisconsin): 5,450
Number Employed in 2014 (U.S.): 241,200
Expected Employment in 2024 (U.S.): 299,600
Percent Employment Growth (2014-2024): 24%
Expected Annual Openings: 9,800
Median Salary in 2014 (Wisconsin): $27,076

Salary information is located at Career One Stop

Wisconsin AHEC Health Careers Information Center provides the most current salary information available from CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop will have a lapse between when the information is gathered and when it is released.

EMTs work 40 to 60 hours a week. They work rotating shifts and may work nights, evenings and holidays.

Intermediate EMTs can advance by additional training to become Paramedics/ ER Technician.

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