Overview
In the United States the majority of EMTs are volunteers, and most volunteer
EMTs live and work in predominately rural areas. Working as an EMT in
a rural area provides its own unique challenges and considerations. Among
them are the distances the EMT must travel to reach the patient, and to
deliver the patient to definitive care. The rural EMT must also know how
to provide emergency care for a wide variety of injuries. Resources are
often limited, as are opportunities for continuing education. Travel times
are extended, and rural EMTs are often involved in time-consuming transfers
of patients from a local hospital to a more specialized care center. Rural
EMTs also face the special challenge of being acquainted with the patients
they treat, which may create an extreme emotional burden. Another special
challenge is that rural EMTs often lack a sufficient number of calls to
maintain their skills and knowledge base. This situation contributes to
the high attrition rate for EMTs, as well as the falling rate of recruitment.
Despite these challenges, being an EMT in a rural area can bring a great
deal of satisfaction. And, as a rural EMT, you can take great pride in
knowing that you are helping those who have no other source of emergency
care.
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