Rescue squad
workers provide pre-hospital emergency medical care.
Most rescue squad workers are either paramedics or emergency medical technicians. Both provide pre-hospital care to seriously ill and injured patients. They stabilize patients as much as possible, provide emergency treatment, and transport them to a hospital or other treatment facility.
Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medical technicians drive ambulances, assess patients and provide basic life support such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator use. They start intravenous lines, administer certain medications, and stabilize broken bones. They monitor patients' vital signs.
Paramedic
Paramedics have more training than EMTs and while they carry out many of the same duties, they can perform more complex tasks. They may also be responsible for supervising EMTs.
Work Environment
Rescue squad workers work indoors and out, providing emergency care in the community and on ambulances. They work in high-stress situations. They must be able to lift heavy patients.
Training and Education
The required education for emergency medical technicians usually involves several weeks to several months of training. Paramedics have one to two years' training and may have associate's degrees. In most states, rescue squad workers must be licensed by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for rescue squad workers in May 2008 was $14.10.
Tags: squad workers, rescue squad, emergency medical, medical technicians, Paramedics have, provide pre-hospital