Occupational Safety

Paramedics

EMTs, Emergency Medical Technicians, and paramedics are medical personnel typically dispatched by a 911 operator to the scene of an accident or fire, where they work with police and fire fighters. Once medics arrive on scene, they assess the nature of the patient's condition and attempt to determine whether the patient has any pre-existing medical conditions.

Medics provide necessary emergency care and transport the patient to the appropriate medical facilities. EMTs and paramedics usually work in teams. While one medic drives the ambulance, the other monitors the patient's vital signs and gives additional emergency care. Medics may also work as part of a helicopter's flight crew in the transportation of critically ill patients.

EMTs and paramedics employed by fire departments work about 50 hours a week and are on call for extended periods. They also have irregular working hours because there is a 24 hour a day need for emergency services. Medics work indoors and out and through all types of weather. They do a considerable amounting of kneeling, bending and heavy lifting, which can lead to back injury, plus noise-induced hearing loss is also a risk due to ambulance sirens. Just like doctors, EMTs and paramedics run a high risk of exposure to serious diseases, such as hepatitis-B and AIDS.