Volunteer EMTs provide emergency medical care for various organizations, especially in small communities where emergency services are not needed regularly. They require training and certification, and their work can vary from on-call to a few days a month. Patient confidentiality is always respected.
A volunteer EMT (Emergency Medical Technician and/or Paramedic) is a trained individual who works for a variety of organizations to provide emergency medical care as needed. Typical workplaces for the volunteer EMT include hospitals, fire and ambulance companies, and there may be a strong need for these professionals. This is especially the case in small communities where emergency services are not needed on a regular basis. In such cases, the community can look for volunteers who will help in case of need.
It would be a mistake to assume that a volunteer EMT is not doing paid work because he is not trained. There are different levels of EMT studies. Typically, anyone directly responding to accidents or emergencies must have completed some training.
Also, in the US, certification is required to function as an EMT, and certification cannot be achieved without training. As mentioned, there are different levels of training, and people can find various certificate programs through many community colleges and four-year colleges. Most volunteers will need at least basic training (taking as little time as possible). Clearly, an EMT licensed to perform more complex actions might be well received by an employer looking for volunteers.
There can be different ways in which the volunteer EMT works. Sometimes these professionals spend many hours a week, at least as on-call staff. Other times they might spend two or three days a month volunteering. Depending on the organization they work for and the size of the community, their days on call or at work may not be as busy. On the other hand, even in a small community, accidents or illnesses can happen and people may need assistance.
One of the peculiarities of the EMT volunteer service can be especially in very small areas. Volunteers end up helping those they likely know. In big cities, while the EMT service can be absolutely professional and fantastic, it may lack that familiarity, which some patients may find to be their advantage. They may not want a neighbor to pick them up after they intentionally hurt themselves, fell ill with an illness they didn’t want to publicize, or simply committed one of the many foolish acts that can cause injury.
People should know that in most cases any EMT, small town/big city or paid/voluntary, is obligated to respect patient confidentiality. A voluntary EMT, in most cases, not only will not, but legally cannot, discuss the patient’s condition with others. Small communities should be relieved that this is the case and proud that their community members are working to serve them in an emergency medical capacity.
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