Direct Patient & Therapeutic Care

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Career Progression

Entry Level

EMT / Paramedic

Mid Level

LPN, RN

Senior Level

ARNP, Emergency Physician

Pathway Category

Entry Level: These positions are the best entry points for someone with little experience or education, as they typically require only a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) or a technical certification/ training and little to no prior related work experience. Many workers enter this industry through the Direct Patient and Therapeutic Care families. Although these careers start with lower wages, they are often a great starting point with huge potential for promotion and advancement with hard work, dedication, and planning.

What does a person in this career do?

You enjoy working with people! Your critical thinking and problem solving skills help to diagnose, troubleshoot, and treat a wide range of injuries, disorders, and diseases for your patients. You don’t mind being on the front line of the fight to help keep members of your community healthy, happy, and productive.

Occupations in the Direct Patient & Therapeutic Care family focus primarily on changing the physical health status of patients through direct care, treatment, and health education. They spend most of their time working directly with patients to diagnose, troubleshoot, and treat a wide range of physical illnesses, injuries, disorders, and diseases.  Someone who enjoys working with people, doesn’t mind being around illness, and wants to make a difference in their community will like these roles. Travel is not often required, but there are a growing number of institutions offering in-home and traveling or mobile medical services.

Description of duties

Respond to emergency assistance calls by traveling to locations to assess and administer basic medical care to sick, injured, or incapacitated individuals, such as providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), supplying oxygen, and administering treatments for allergic reactions. Safely and quickly transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities for continued treatment and monitoring.

Quick Facts

Wage/Salary Range

Education & Training

Typical Work Environments

Personality Traits

Discover your strengths by taking the assessment.

Emergency Medical Technician

Partners who hire for this position

Knowledge and Skills Required

  • Medical and Dental Care
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Critical Thinking and Crisis
  • Management
  • Comprehend and Deliver
  • Instructions
  • Driving and Operating Vehicles
  • Safety Regulations and Procedures

Other Job Titles

  • Basic EMT
  • First Responder
  • Multi Care Technician
  • Ambulance Driver
  • Ambulance Technician