EMT vs. EMR: The Differences in First Responders
Whether you call them EMTs or EMRs, these folks were made to help in emergencies. But how do you tell the difference?
EMT vs EMR might seem confusing because they look the same on the outside. They both have white uniforms, reflective vests, and headsets around their necks. Plus, their ambulances may share the same shades of blue.
But these differences are just like the ones you find in red blood cells and oxygen-carrying blood. Keep reading as we explain the distinctions between these two, alongside their corresponding jobs.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Specialized Skills of EMTs and EMRs
EMTs and EMRs are both first responders and both have the same goal to save lives and render emergency care. An emergency medical technician provides basic life support such as:
- Oxygen therapy
- Splinting
- Basic wound treatment
- Stabilization and transport to the hospital
Meanwhile, emergency medical responders extend these skills to more extensive medical care like cardiac monitoring. Furthermore, EMRs are trained in:
- Basic first aid
- Medical response
- Handling medical emergencies
But, these factors do not have the same scope of practice as an EMT. Overall, both EMTs and EMRs give valuable life-saving treatments, but their skill sets are distinct and specialized.
Education and Training Requirements
Education and training requirements for EMTs and EMRs are drastically different. An EMT must complete an approved training program of at least 150 hours of classroom and field experience.
They must also pass national and state exams, which should be approved by the state’s EMS office. In addition, they must also complete CEUs to remain certified.
Conversely, an EMR must complete a much shorter training program. They must receive about 40 hours of coaching from a firefighter or other emergency services provider.
Also, they are not required to have any national or state exams or CEUs and are not officially recognized by any state or federal agency. Lastly, they may respond to emergency calls involving illness and injury and are often utilized in rural areas.
Compensation Between EMT and EMR Professionals
In terms of compensation, EMTs are usually paid an hourly wage while EMRs are typically salaried employees. However, their salary is usually based on:
- Experience
- Job requirement
- Certification level
Additionally, the salary range for EMTs is typically much greater than that of an EMR. On the other hand, EMRs usually receive basic life-saving training such as MyCPR NOW’s CPR Certification to provide basic pre-hospital care.
This type of certification does not always require the same level of experience as EMTs. Therefore, they may come with a lower salary range.
The Future of EMT and EMR Services
The future of EMT and EMR services will depend heavily on investment in technology. This may include mobile data systems and an increase in understanding of what each responder should provide.
Technological advances will make it easier for them to identify and address patient needs more quickly. It will also aid in reducing the amount of time EMS personnel spend in transit and performing paperwork.
This, in turn, will allow them to handle more cases in a shorter amount of time.
A Guide to the Differences Between EMT vs EMR
Knowing the differences between EMT vs EMR are quite distinct. While both are integral responders to health emergencies, their abilities and training are different. EMTs provide basic life-saving lives while EMRs provide more basic care.
If you are interested in a career as a first responder, contact your local healthcare institution to learn more.
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Last Updated on June 15, 2023
