Pre-Health
PHAP Perspective: Using Your EMT Certification in Different Clinical Settings
Written by Sarah Downes, '26
An EMT certification is a great entry point into many clinical experiences. As an EMT, you are trained to treat patients in emergency situations, but also gain a broad understanding of medical care which can be applicable in many different settings. Although it may seem obvious to work on an EMS squad after receiving your certification, that is only one of the many opportunities that being an EMT provides. This upcoming summer, for example, I will be working as a patient care technician, which is just one of many ways you can put your EMT certification to use!
Possible Jobs for EMTs
Requirements for positions will vary by location, but below are some possibilities to look into as a certified EMT:
Emergency Medical Technician with a Rescue Squad:
- As an EMT on an ambulance, you will respond to medical emergencies at the scene and en route to the hospital. As you are one of the sole providers in the prehospital setting, you will use a lot of tactical skills and gain experience working in high stress situations.
Emergency Room Technician
- Emergency room technicians work in the emergency department of hospitals and perform roles such as assessing patients, taking vitals, and helping physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers with any other tasks. In the emergency department, technicians will not be one of the sole providers for patients, as in an ambulance, but are able to work with and learn from many providers in a healthcare setting.
Patient Care Technician
- As a patient care technician, you will often be in a hospital setting and will perform many roles similar to emergency room technicians, but typically in an inpatient setting. As a patient care technician, you will often be assigned to specific patients to monitor throughout your shift, which will allow you to establish patient connections and work with many healthcare providers. You also have the opportunity to work in an outpatient setting such as an urgent care or a primary care facility.
Medical Assistant
- Medical assistants will often work in clinic settings, and their roles include taking patient histories, vitals, and determining any pertinent information before the patient is seen typically by a physician, PA, or nurse practitioner. As a medical assistant, you will have the opportunity to work with different health care providers in a clinical setting and learn about many different conditions and forms of treatment.
When deciding how you want to gain clinical experience, it is important to evaluate the setting you want to be in. If you are interested in being on an ambulance, it is a great way to gain exposure to medicine and have hands-on experience, however, it is important to remember that this is not the only setting you can work in. As you begin looking at potential positions, be sure to check with specific locations to see their individual licensing requirements.