Emergency medicine jobs begin the moment that an ambulance is called for an emergency, because every person involved from that point on plays a key role in the process of helping a patient through the emergency. The dispatcher who answers the phone is in an emergency role, as are the medical technicians who drive the emergency vehicle and help the person at the scene of an accident or who is suffering from a sudden medical condition. After the patient is transported to the hospital, there are physicians and nurses who work in the emergency department to help the person survive.
First responders are one of the largest groups of emergency medicine jobs. These individuals answer the phone calls regarding emergency situations and send the appropriate people to the scene. Paramedics, firefighters and emergency helicopter pilots are all examples of first responders because they attempt to get to the scene quickly and help the person or people in need. Training varies for these positions, but having an understanding of many types of medical problems and knowing how to treat them is important. Medical pilots need training in emergency medical treatment and well as operating aircraft equipment.
When a person is taken to a hospital for an emergency he or she immediately encounters doctors, nurses and hospital staff members who help to stabilize his or her condition. In some cases, emergency surgeons are needed to help save an individual's life through a surgical procedure. Psychiatrists are utilized in certain situations to help stabilize a person who is exhibiting mental illness. Nurses and hospital staff members assist the physicians and provide some of the treatments on their own to help the person as best as possible. Hospital staff members help in emergency situations to get a person's medical information and provide information to his or her family about the emergency.
Training for emergency medicine jobs varies considerably depending on the nature of the work. In most cases, at least an associate's degree is necessary to enter into the field. Paramedics generally take specific training programs that teach them how to deal with emergency situations, and nurses have at least an associate's degree in nursing. Other jobs as dispatchers and general hospital staff members require some education and training, but this varies depending on the nature of their emergency medicine jobs. Physicians need advanced training, which includes graduating from medical school followed by training in emergency medicine.
