Critical care technicians are emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with advanced training who help assess and treat patients in critical conditions. They receive targeted education and must understand ambulance operation, emergency response systems, and emergency communications. They also participate in community health education events.
Critical care technicians are tasked with caring for the seriously injured and sick. A wide range of healthcare professionals provide critical care, including first responders, nurses and physicians; however, a critical care technician is usually an emergency medical technician (EMT) with advanced training. These professionals help conduct initial assessments, treat patients as needed, and participate in community health education events.
Technicians and professionals working in critical care receive targeted education to help train them for the responsibilities of their positions. Typically, programs designed to train and certify a critical care technician include courses above and beyond what is commonly found in a basic emergency medicine program. Generally, courses will include topics such as airway management and ventilation, emergency pharmacology, and obstetric emergencies. Other courses often include those focused on environmental emergencies, hazardous materials, behavioral assessments and crime scene awareness.
Professionals in the field will also be required to understand the basics of any EMT position. This includes a thorough understanding of ambulance operation and emergency response systems. In addition, a critical care technician must also demonstrate a solid understanding of emergency communications and be able to quickly and safely transfer patients by ambulance into the hands of professionals qualified in emergency medicine, such as nurses and emergency physicians.
A critical care technician must be able to quickly and accurately assess emergency situations. This includes using skills to capture patients’ vital signs and determine if any concerns require immediate action, such as resuscitation or patient immobilization. Emergency technicians should feel comfortable assessing a wide range of emergencies, including those related to respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological difficulties.
Responsibility for treating patients is usually in the hands of other critical care professionals, such as nurses and physicians; however, a critical care technician should feel comfortable treating patients within their limitations. The need for treatment usually arises in trauma situations and during patient transport to the hospital. Paramedics must be able to treat and stabilize patients suffering from emergencies such as shock, allergic reactions and overdoses.
Critical care professionals also perform roles outside the scope of their traditional job responsibilities. They often help organize and participate in community health fairs and wellness events. These events help educate the community on a variety of general health topics, such as healthy eating, exercise, and managing ongoing conditions like high blood pressure. In addition, as a healthcare professional, a critical care technician also helps provide information about the various resources available to community members.
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