If there is No Commitment in the Decision…

Please consider what confidence (or lack of confidence) you would place in just one industry category if these skills and requirements were not part of the training, execution and commitment.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Education and training:
A high school diploma is usually required to enter a formal emergency medical technician training program. Training is offered at progressive levels: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and Paramedic.

At the EMT-Basic level, coursework emphasizes emergency skills, such as managing respiratory, trauma, and cardiac emergencies, and patient assessment. Formal courses are often combined with time in an emergency department and/or ambulance. The program provides instruction and practice in dealing with bleeding, breaks and fractures, airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, and emergency childbirth to name a few.

Students learn how to use and maintain common emergency equipment, such as backboards, suction devices, splints, oxygen delivery systems, and stretchers. Graduates of approved EMT-Basic training programs must pass a written and practical examination administered by the State licensing agency or the NREMT.

At the EMT-Intermediate level, training requirements vary by State. The nationally defined levels, EMT-Intermediate 1985 and EMT-Intermediate 1999, typically require 30 to 350 hours of training based on scope of practice. Students learn advanced skills such the use of advanced airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications.

The most advanced level of training for this occupation is Paramedic. At this level, the caregiver receives training in anatomy and physiology as well as advanced medical skills. Most commonly, the training is conducted in community colleges and technical schools and may result in an associate's degree.

These programs may take up to one to two years. Such education prepares the graduate to take the NREMT examination to become certified as a Paramedic. Extensive related coursework and clinical and field experience is required. Refresher courses and continuing education are available for EMTs and paramedics at all levels. Work environment. EMTs and paramedics work both indoors and out, in all types of weather and traumatic conditions.

They are required to do strenuous kneeling, bending, and heavy lifting. These workers are at a higher risk for contracting illnesses or experiencing injuries on the job than workers in other occupations. They risk noise-induced hearing loss from sirens and back injuries from lifting patients, equipment and debris.

In addition, EMTs and Paramedics may be exposed to communicable diseases, such as hepatitis-B and AIDS, as well as to violence from mentally unstable or combative patients. The work is not only physically strenuous but is highly stressful, many times involving life-or-death situations and traumatized patients.

Nonetheless, many people find the work exciting and challenging and embrace the opportunity to help others. These workers experienced a larger than average number of work-related injuries or illnesses themselves.

Many EMTs and paramedics are required to work more than 40 hours a week. Because emergency services function 24 hours a day, EMTs and Paramedics have irregular and erratic working hours. The pay is not necessarily high in relation to the heavy requirements and exposure. In all, these positions demand serious commitments at several levels.

Here’s the deal…if you were in a serious car accident, laying on the ground totally helpless with multiple injuries until these specialists arrived at the scene…how important would their prior and current commitments be to your survival?


We so often overlook the role that commitment plays in critical decision making (as in this career decision). If you are now using a model or formula for deciding that does not include the commitment step, please re-consider (Step-Two of the MODELTM).