There are few other careers that are so directly impactful on the lives of other people than that of a paramedic. Paramedics save lives daily as the first responders to a medical emergency. With a unique ability to remain calm during an emergency and make decisions quickly, paramedics are responsible for administering care to injured or ill persons until they can receive further medical care at a hospital or other institution.
Paramedics are equipped with the training to respond to and evaluate an emergency situation, and they are responsible for transporting the patient to a hospital or location where they can receive further care. A paramedic’s job is to keep patients safe and alive, and if you’re looking for a fulfilling career, becoming a paramedic might be right for you. Keep reading to find out more.
What Does Someone with Paramedic Training Typically Do?
Paramedics have a number of duties involved in their day-to-day roles. They respond to emergency calls, arriving at the scene of the emergency and assessing the severity or character of the injury. Patients could be suffering from any range of conditions, caused by anything from overdoses to trauma to diseases to accidents. Those with paramedic training will have to administer life-saving care to patients on their way to the hospital, in order to try to prevent further injury or death before they can receive full medical attention.
Paramedics might perform care such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), oxygen therapy, and more. When a paramedic isn’t in an emergency situation, they might be collecting information to gather a complete record of the incident, the patient’s injuries, and the treatment that was provided. As you can see, paramedics have a lot of responsibility, but their jobs are extremely rewarding.
Why a Paramedic’s Job Is so Fulfilling
Paramedics are essential in that they’re responsible for stabilizing and monitoring patients in order to help them sustain their medical emergency long enough to receive the care they need. Without paramedics, patients suffering a medical emergency would not have access to immediate and life-saving care. Thus, everything that a paramedic does works towards saving lives, and every step of the work they do counts in keeping patients safe, making their job both important and rewarding.
While the majority of paramedics typically work in ambulances to arrive at the scene of an emergency, administer care, and transport patients to hospitals, graduates of a paramedic program can work in a variety of areas where they are needed within the field. While some of these jobs may require additional training or certification, licensed paramedics have many opportunities to save lives in a range of settings. Paramedics may work with the fire department, specializing in caring for patients injured by fires. Paramedics can also work aboard flights which transport patients located remotely to hospitals. They can even work aboard a ship, typically as part of the crew or on ocean rescue teams, which work to provide care for people who are suffering from the many emergencies and accidents that can take place out at sea.
While their job is stressful and they may work hard, paramedics can be sure that whatever the environment or scenario may be, their work is directly saving lives, making their job one of the most fulfilling and rewarding careers possible.
Are you interested in enrolling in a paramedic course?
Check out Oxford College’s program options today.