When a 911 call alerts the authorities to an emergency, paramedics are often the first people at the scene. Whether it is an automobile accident, a medical emergency, a fire, or another disaster, the training you have received at paramedic schools will enable you to asses the patient's condition. You then give the appropriate emergency treatment before transporting them to hospital. Sometimes you may save lives, so this is important work and your paramedic schools education is vital. Paramedics, or emergency medical technicians (EMTs), must undergo formal training and certification to find work. The requirements vary somewhat by USA state, although all states operate a certification scheme. You can qualify at four levels, ranging from EMT-1 to EMT-4, acquiring greater skills and knowledge at each level. You can start with an associate degree combined with paramedic training. Your program will focus on the kinds of injuries you find at accidents (bleeding and fractures, for example) and the assessment of a patient's condition. You will also learn how to use emergency equipment such as stretchers, splints, backboards, and oxygen equipment. As a paramedic schools graduate, you will enter a fast-rising job market for qualified paramedics. Professionals are replacing volunteers, the population is aging, and urban populations are growing. All these factors mean that you will find paramedic job opportunities are rising rapidly. Private ambulance services are your most likely source of employment. You will also find jobs in police and fire departments and any organization offering rescue services.