What Does a Paramedic Do? (And How to Become One)

Paramedics respond to emergencies, usually via an ambulance, and provide medical care to patients both on the scene and on their way to a nearby hospital or medical facility.

A career as a paramedic can be exciting, rewarding, and fast-paced. If you're looking for a health care career that requires you to think on your feet and allows you to provide life-saving care in the real world, then you might consider joining this important medical position. 

In this career guide, explore what it takes to become a paramedic, from education and training to the workplace skills you'll need to possess to excel at the job. Also, discover suggested online courses that can help you gain the critical job skills you'll need to start saving lives.

Read more: EMT vs. Paramedic: What’s the Difference?

What does a paramedic do?   

Paramedics are first responders and part of the emergency medical team. When someone is sick, injured, or requires transportation to a hospital or other medical facility, paramedics arrive first to provide care and ensure patients remain in stable condition. 

During an emergency, paramedics must evaluate the situation, provide any necessary medical care, and, if needed, continue to provide care in an emergency vehicle to help their patients get to the right medical professionals to help them further. As a result, paramedics must possess not only medical and health care knowledge but also be physically capable of safely transporting patients in and out of emergency vehicles.

Paramedics treat all sorts of patients, ranging from those who have trouble breathing to those in serious car accidents. In many cases, a person's life may be at stake. Most paramedics drive or ride along in an ambulance, but some work with critically ill patients in helicopters and airplanes. Some may also ride along in fire department vehicles. 

What are the primary duties and responsibilities of a paramedic?

For most paramedics, each day will bring something new. Where you work can also impact your daily duties and responsibilities. On average, they might include:  

• Responding to emergency 911 calls 

• Evaluating patients at various scenes (such as car accidents, in their homes, or in public places) 

• Providing first aid 

• Providing life support 

• Transferring patients from the scene to a stretcher and into an ambulance

• Transporting patients to hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities 

• Communicating with doctors and nurses about a patient's condition 

• Keeping comprehensive notes on a patient's condition 

• Cleaning and maintaining supplies inside an ambulance  

When providing medical care, paramedics may face various medical or trauma situations each day. These might include:  

• Performing CPR and other cardiac support

• Taking vital signs

• Helping someone with a blocked airway by performing quick respiratory procedures

• Setting up an IV

• Stabilizing head, neck, and back injuries, as well as broken bones 

• Cleaning and bandaging wounds 

• Delivering babies in emergency situations 

• Administering medication 

Paramedics vs. EMTs 

Many people confuse paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or emergency medical assistants (EMAs). The truth is that paramedics are actually more advanced EMTs who are trained to provide more sensitive and complex care. In effect, while they may work together on the same emergency response team, paramedics are the lead members with the most education and training.

To become a paramedic, you might first become an EMT. During their training, EMTs learn how to assess an emergency and determine what type of medical treatment is necessary. They can also administer basic treatments, like CPR or splinting a broken bone. If you are an EMT who wants to become a paramedic, then you'll have to take part in much more extensive training that builds on these skills and teaches you how to do even more to help save someone's life.  

What are the three levels of paramedics?

There are three levels of paramedics in Canada: Primary care paramedic (PCP), Advanced care paramedic (ACP), and critical care paramedic. The positions can vary depending on what kind of care you want to provide, and some areas may not have certain types of paramedics. For example, New Brunswick and Quebec don’t have ACPs. It’s a good idea to decide what type of paramedic you want to be and where you want to work when deciding to become a qualified paramedic.

How to become a paramedic

To become a paramedic in Canada, you need to complete a one- to three-year college program or other recognized paramedic program. Colleges across Canada may provide these programs, so check for paramedical training programs in your province to see which one may be right for you.

You will also be required to be licensed by a regulatory body in your province to work as a paramedic. This licensing may be through the province’s college of paramedics or another licensing body through a provincial government agency, depending on where you live.

In order to drive an ambulance or other emergency vehicle, you will need to get an additional class of license, depending on where you work as a paramedic. For example, in Ontario, you would need a Class F license.

How long does it take to train as a paramedic?

It will take you one to three years to become a paramedic in Canada, depending on the college, hospital-based, or other recognized program you take. Check with programs available in your area to see if there are additional requirements, such as internship hours or specific certifications to specialize in a particular field as a paramedic.

What other skills do I need to become a paramedic?

In addition to medical training, you must possess certain human skills to become a paramedic, like working under pressure and making quick decisions. The job is both physically and mentally demanding, so you'll need to have physical strength and be mentally resilient. Look below at some other essential skills you'll need to possess. 

1. Compassion

Compassion is a trait required to work in health care, but it's crucial for a paramedic career. The role of a paramedic is to assess what is often an emergency and determine what type of medical care is required. However, you'll also find that you're dealing with patients and their families who are often scared and upset. The more compassionate you can be when working with them, the better they'll feel.  

2. Communication 

Communication is so vital for paramedics that it is often recommended they enroll in some postsecondary communication courses while training.

First, you'll be working with a team, which might include other paramedics, EMTs, and firefighters. You may also encounter firefighters, police officers, and other first responders on the scene of an accident. You must be able to communicate with them effectively. You'll also need to listen to and communicate clearly with your patients and their loved ones.

Finally, when you transport a patient to the hospital or other medical facility, you'll often have to communicate their condition to the doctors and nurses on the scene.  

Read more: 22 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills in the Workplace

3. Problem-solving 

Problem-solving is crucial because you will often find someone's life is in your hands. When you take inventory of their symptoms or injuries, you'll need to think quickly and determine the best treatment to keep them stable or even save their lives.

Where can I work once I’m qualified as a paramedic?

Paramedics may also work long or unusual hours. Some work in 12- or 24-hour shifts: some work nights, weekends, and holidays. You may even find that your schedule varies from week to week. Paramedics often work on ambulances, but you have many options you may not be aware of. Here are some of the places you might work as a paramedic: 

• Firehouses: Many paramedics work out of their local firehouses and respond to 911 calls in their communities. They may ride along on fire trucks or drive separate ambulances to emergencies.    

• Medical flights: Some paramedics undergo additional training and work on medical flights. In these situations, they often work on helicopters with patients who require critical care and transportation from a rural location to a hospital or from a smaller hospital to a more advanced one.  

• Hospitals: Some hospitals employ paramedics as emergency technicians in their emergency rooms. Over the last few decades, this has happened more frequently to help with understaffed emergency departments.   

• Ships: There are often opportunities to work as a paramedic aboard cruise ships. Here, you might work alongside a doctor and nurse.   

• SWAT teams: If you're interested in law enforcement and a paramedic career, consider joining a SWAT team. You'll find yourself on hand for dangerous police activity to treat injured people. 

• On location: Sometimes, you may work as a paramedic on-site at specific events. These could be one-time events, like music festivals, or you might work at a vacation resort or a stadium.  

How much do paramedics earn? 

Paramedics in Canada earn a median annual salary of $65,047, which equates to $33.36 per hour [1]. Where you work can also impact your salary. For example, paramedics who work in urban areas tend to make more than those who work in rural communities. Your level of experience and the type of employer you work for can also impact your earnings. 

Career progression

Paramedics may choose to advance their career or move on to a new career. This might involve completing the training required to become a flight medic or work with a SWAT team. Some choose to go on to work in emergency departments as emergency technicians. 

Often, the physical stress and schedule can grow tiring. For this reason, some people choose to continue their education while they work and eventually choose another health care career, like becoming a registered nurse (RN) or physician assistant. Some even go on to complete medical school and become doctors themselves. Working as an EMT and paramedic provides you with the human skills and medical background needed to advance in almost any direction in the health care field. 

Get started today with Coursera.

Ready to get started on your path to an exciting, in-demand paramedic career? Start by gaining foundational knowledge in a cost-effective, flexible course on Coursera. For instance, learn how to deal with medical emergencies involving airway, breathing, and circulation; CPR, toxicology, and wilderness; or pregnancy, infants, and children.