The emergency medical responder (EMR) is an EMS provider who is expected to render lifesaving care with minimal equipment. This person may be the lone provider on scene for an extended period of time. For example, a member of the emergency response team at a plant or a security officer at a shopping mall, would be an emergency medical responder.
The emergency medical technician (EMT)-Basic is part of a team that responds to the emergency scene, typically aboard an ambulance, and is trained to provide initial care on scene as well as medical care to the patient while in transit to the hospital.
The advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) is an EMT with additional skills. These additional skills are skills or medications that have been shown to positively impact patient survival (i.e., evidence-based practices). These skills include the administration of a limited number of drugs as well as, among other things, supraglottic airway devices.
The highest level of EMS provider is the Paramedic. The Paramedic’s medical education includes advanced assessment and diagnosis of syndromes and disorders and the treatment thereof. In many states a Paramedic can obtain an associate’s degree or higher.
Each level of EMS provider has knowledge and skills that are clearly delineated. If an EMS provider was to perform a procedure that was not within one’s scope of practice then that individual could be accused of practicing medicine without a license.