The Pros and Cons of Working As an EMT
Emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, are important figures in the world of healthcare and medicine. When medical emergencies arise, they are the first ones on the scene, ready to provide immediate medical attention and keep patients in a stable condition until they reach the hospital. If you want a career in medical field, you can become a medical tech. Statistically, patients who receive immediate medical attention are much more likely to survive and recover from trauma, which makes every EMT a life saver. But what are the true pros and cons of working in this industry? Get more details here.
Pros
- Never a Dull Moment
As an EMT you will rarely, if ever, find yourself bored at work. Emergency calls are constantly coming in, especially in large cities, and every call brings a new situation and exciting experience. Every time you hit the road with lights flashing and sirens blaring, you’re off to a new experience. If you crave excitement, working in an ambulance will surely fulfill your needs in that regard. - Job Security
Healthcare is one of very few industries that continues to thrive throughout rough economic times, and as an EMT you can expect to be secure and stable in your employment for years to come. In many areas, there is actually a lack of qualified emergency medical technicians and your skills may be in high demand. Some EMTs even make the transition from ambulance to emergency room during their careers, so you will always have a place in the medical world. - Respect and Pride
EMTs take a great deal of pride in their work, and garner great respect from the people they help, the doctors they assist, and the public at large. Saving lives isn’t easy work, and EMTs are appreciated for their services. They can also take a great deal of pride in their work, feeling that they’ve performed a great service every day.
Cons
- Lower Salary
You shouldn’t expect to get rich as an EMT, and in fact you can expect to earn less money than you imagine you deserve for your work. EMTs are some of the most underpaid workers in the medical industry. Keep this in mind if you’re thinking about seeking work as an emergency medical technician. If you’re not okay with a lower salary, you may want to look into other positions. - Potential Danger
In the line of duty you may often find yourself in dangerous situations. Mental health calls in particular can put you face to face with violent, dangerous, and possibly armed individuals. You might eventually respond to shootings or other violent crimes and work in very hectic scenarios. Training guides and websites like http://emttraining.us/ may give you some insight into the true life of an EMT, but there will always be surprises as well. - Burning at Both Ends
One of the biggest dangers for EMTs is, quite simply, burning out. Be prepared to work long shifts of 12 or 24 hours and spend lots of time on the road responding to calls. Days may blur together and you might find yourself unable to get a good night’s sleep for some time. Stressful work and long shifts deter some from this line of work, but if you can handle it you’ll surely succeed.
Remember that no job is perfect. Every single job has pros and cons – even for doctors and garbage men. But if you are considering becoming an EMT, the pros look much stronger than the cons, as least to me they do. And you can find free health care assignment writing guides here.