is there a difference between a paramedic and an E.M.T?

Question

If they are different how long does each take and what is the difference in pay?

Answer 1

Hi! There are three levels of EMT. The first level is EMT-Basic. This is usually a semester long class, and it teaches you basic emergency care. The second level is EMT-Intermediate. This course lasts about a month, and you usually need about six months of experience as an EMT-Basic before you can enroll in it. With this level of certification, you can start IV's and give some medications. The final level is EMT-Paramedic. This course takes about a year, and is very intensive. In addition to the coursework, you also have to complete several hundred hours of clinical rotations, and an internship with an ambulance company. This is the highest level of EMT, and when you have completed the course, you will be able to start IV's, intubate, give many medications, etc, and depending on which state you work in, you can do many more procedures, such as surgical airways.

EMT-Basics generally start out at $8 an hour, EMT-Intermediates at $10 an hour, and EMT-Paramedics at $12 an hour, but this really, really varies depending on which state you work in and what type of service you work for. I've seen Basics start at $10-13 an hour in Alaska, while Paramedics in Alaska make $60-70K a year. However, in Alabama, Basics start at $8 an hour, and Paramedics at $10-14 an hour. Paramedics that work for a fire department tend to make more than Paramedics hired by a private service.

Hope this helps...

Answer 2

EMT is like the first step toward becoming a paramedic. The EMT takes less training and makes less money.