Emergency Medical Technician

Your Fit

Income

$49K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

5.4%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Emergency Medical Technician?

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) provides basic emergency medical care as a first responder. In Canada, they are usually referred to as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).

Sample job titles:

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), First Responder

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Emergency Medical Technician.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Emergency Medical Technician earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Emergency Medical Technician.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$35K per year	$41K per year	$49K per year	$60K per year	$72K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $16K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Emergency Medical Technician do?

Work environment

EMTs typically work in ambulances, emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, fire departments, hospitals, and other settings requiring immediate medical response. They work in shifts, which often include nights, weekends, and holidays, and the job can be physically demanding and stressful.

Quick task list

Responds to 911 calls for emergency medical assistance.
Assesses patients' conditions and determines necessary medical action.
Provides first-aid treatment and life support care to sick or injured individuals.
Transports patients safely to medical facilities.
Completes patient care reports and documents medical care provided.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Basic Life Support (BLS): Providing primary emergency medical care and transportation.
Advanced Life Support (ALS): Offering more advanced medical procedures and care (as an Advanced EMT or Paramedic).
Flight EMT: Specializing in providing care to patients being airlifted to medical facilities.
Wilderness EMT: Delivering emergency medical care in remote and wilderness environments.
Tactical EMT: Working alongside law enforcement in high-risk situations.

Description

Emergency Medical Technicians play a vital role in the healthcare system, providing essential and life-saving services. They must be ready to quickly and accurately assess patients' medical needs and administer appropriate care. This requires not only a strong foundation in medical knowledge and skills but also the ability to remain calm and efficient under pressure.

EMTs work closely with other emergency services personnel, such as firefighters and police officers, and must be excellent team players. The role involves frequent interaction with patients and their families, requiring good communication and interpersonal skills. EMTs must be physically fit, as the job involves lifting and moving patients, and they must also be adept at using various medical equipment and technologies.

The career of an EMT is rewarding yet challenging. It provides an opportunity to make a significant impact in critical situations, often being the difference between life and death. EMTs must be adaptable, as they encounter a wide range of emergency situations, from trauma to medical crises.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The fulfillment of providing immediate and life-saving medical assistance.
The excitement and variety of facing new challenges each day.
Being part of a team that works together to save lives and help others.

You might make a good Emergency Medical Technician if you are...

Passionate about helping others and capable of making quick decisions in emergencies.
Physically fit and able to handle the demands of emergency medical care.
A strong communicator, able to effectively interact with patients, families, and medical professionals.
Emotionally resilient, capable of handling high-stress and sometimes traumatic situations.
Interested in medicine and eager to play a critical role in healthcare.

Pros:

A sense of pride and accomplishment in saving lives and aiding those in need.
Diverse and dynamic work environment with new challenges daily.
Opportunities for advancement into more specialized emergency medical roles.

Cons:

Physically and emotionally demanding job with exposure to traumatic situations.
Irregular working hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
The pressure of making quick, high-stakes decisions in emergency situations.

How to become an Emergency Medical Technician

Typical education

In Canada, this role most closely aligns with Emergency Medical Responder or entry-level paramedicine roles. Job titles and requirements vary by province. Such roles typically require completion of a college certificate or short diploma in emergency medical response or prehospital care, often at the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) level. Programs usually take several months to one year and include classroom instruction, practical skills training, and supervised field experience. Certification and authorization to practise are managed at the provincial level and vary by jurisdiction.

High school preparation

Courses:

Biology and health sciences to understand basic medical and human body concepts.
Physical education to maintain physical fitness.
Psychology to develop an understanding of human behavior in stressful situations.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteer with local emergency services or community health organizations.
Take first aid and CPR certification courses.
Participate in community service clubs or groups that foster teamwork and leadership skills.

Preparation after high school

Complete a college certificate or short diploma in emergency medical response, first response, or prehospital care (often aligned with Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training).
Develop core emergency skills, including patient assessment, CPR, trauma care, and safe patient transport.
Complete required practical training or supervised field experience, as specified by the program or province.
Obtain provincial certification or authorization to practise in emergency medical response roles.
Gain experience in emergency or first-response settings, such as ambulance services, industrial sites, fire services, or remote/community response teams.
Pursue further education to advance into Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) or higher paramedic roles, if desired.

More resources

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) - Provides certification and recertification information for EMTs.
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) - Offers resources, education, and advocacy for EMT professionals.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS.gov) - A federal government resource providing information on EMS initiatives and programs.
Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) - An industry publication with articles, news, and updates on emergency medical services.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.