Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals. Transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities. 

Make a Difference

A Typical Day

    • Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures.
    • Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
    • Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
    • Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.
    • Comfort and reassure patients.
    • Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.
    • Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, airway management, or heart monitoring, during ambulance ride.
    • Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.
     

    Recommended Credentials

    State approved training program + certification

    Education & Training

    Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.

     

    Northwest Lower Michigan

     

    Paramedic Degrees (AAS)
    Northwestern Michigan College
    Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Certificate OR
    Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic (AAS)
    North Central Michigan College

    Elsewhere in Michigan

     

    Emergency Medical Services
    Kalamazoo Valley C    ommunity College
    Paramedic Certificate
    Kellogg Community College
    Paramedic (AAS)
    Mott Community College

    Explore This Career

    Try it before you buy it!

    Visit a fire/EMT station near your home, they often have open houses during the summer!

    Become certified as an Emergency Medical Responder to get some experience without any clinical requirements.

    The Local Advantage Learning Pathway

    Pathway 1

    Earn CPR certification before enrolling in a post-secondary emergency medical program.

    Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD) - Allied Health program

    You can take exams at 16 and apply for state certification at 18.

    Pathway 2

    Munson Healthcare Regional EMS does certification-aligned training, has Fast Track Externship option and 90%+ certification pass rate

    Get certified through a program like Lake Michigan College's CPR - AHA HeartSaver and BLS program.

    Pathway 3

    Articulate 43 credits toward Associates of Applied Science in Paramedic Science in partnership with NMC

     

    Sample Employers in Our Region

    Click the logos below to learn more.

    TIP

    Contact one of these companies and ask for an informational interview, to see if you can job shadow, or to find out if they hire interns.

     

    Sample Job Titles...

    • Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic)
    • First Responder
    • Flight Paramedic
     

    Hear It From The Pros

    10-Year Job Growth Projections

    3.4%
    10-County Region
    11%
    Michigan
    11%
    U.S.

    Employed Regionally

    295
    In 2021 (10-County Region)

    Wage Range & Median 10-County Region

    $28,780
    $36,930 
    $46,480

    Annual Hires Regionally

    75
    In 2021

    Other Regional Career Resources

    Paramedic Training in Michigan

    Learn more about Paramedics at O*NET Online.

    Related Careers

    Click to explore.

    Emergency Medical Technician

    Real World Career Pathways

    It doesn't have to be a straight shot! Hear from people who have taken unique pathways.