Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals. Transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
Make a Difference
A Typical Day
- Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures.
- Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
- Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
- Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.
- Comfort and reassure patients.
- Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.
- Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, airway management, or heart monitoring, during ambulance ride.
- Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.
Recommended Credentials
State approved training program + certification
Education & Training
Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.
Northwest Lower Michigan
Paramedic Degrees (AAS)
Northwestern Michigan College
Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Certificate OR
Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic (AAS)
North Central Michigan College
Elsewhere in Michigan
Emergency Medical Services
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Paramedic Certificate
Kellogg Community College
Paramedic (AAS)
Mott Community College
Explore This Career
Try it before you buy it!
Visit a fire/EMT station near your home, they often have open houses during the summer!
Become certified as an Emergency Medical Responder to get some experience without any clinical requirements.
The Local Advantage Learning Pathway
Pathway 1
Earn CPR certification before enrolling in a post-secondary emergency medical program.
Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD) - Allied Health program
You can take exams at 16 and apply for state certification at 18.
Pathway 2
Munson Healthcare Regional EMS does certification-aligned training, has Fast Track Externship option and 90%+ certification pass rate
Get certified through a program like Lake Michigan College's CPR - AHA HeartSaver and BLS program.
Pathway 3
Articulate 43 credits toward Associates of Applied Science in Paramedic Science in partnership with NMC
TIP
Contact one of these companies and ask for an informational interview, to see if you can job shadow, or to find out if they hire interns.
Sample Job Titles...
- Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic)
- First Responder
- Flight Paramedic
Hear It From The Pros
10-Year Job Growth Projections
Employed Regionally
Wage Range & Median 10-County Region
Annual Hires Regionally
Other Regional Career Resources
Paramedic Training in Michigan
Learn more about Paramedics at O*NET Online.
Real World Career Pathways
It doesn't have to be a straight shot! Hear from people who have taken unique pathways.