Paramedic

A paramedic is a healthcare professional, predominantly in the pre-hospital and out-of-hospital environment, and working mainly as part of emergency medical services (EMS), such as on an ambulance.The highest skilled pre-hospital provider is the Paramedic. Paramedics are licensed healthcare professionals who provide the most extensive pre-hospital advanced life support. Paramedics provide care that is on par with that of the emergency room. During a medical emergency Paramedics can provide advanced life support care including: advanced airway management, endotracheal intubation (breathing tube), manual defibrillation, external transcutaneous pacing, EKG monitoring, 12-lead EKG acquisition, IV fluid therapy, intraosseus infusions, hemodynamic monitoring, needle chest decompressions, surgical airways, administration of a wide array of critical care medications and mechanical ventilation.

Median pay (annual): 31,020 USD (2012)

Median pay (hourly): 14.91 USD (2012)