The Stress in EMS: Effects of Stress on the Unsung Heroes of the EMS Profession

You might be an EMT if…you are willing to take on a high-stress profession that requires state-mandated training to respond to life and death decision-making calls and be willing to accept a lower-than-normal salary than other first responders. EMTs are often the lifeline for patients between the location of the incident and the hospital. The hours are long and the job often requires 24-hour shifts. EMT training is essential life-saving instruction. What EMS personnel often share with other first responding professions is that their chosen profession also comes with a high dose of stress. EMTs Are Low in Pay—High on Stress The 2011 Career Cast Report lists EMTs as the 9th most stressful career. Perhaps that’s not so surprising considering EMTs get exposed to trauma, violence and death on nearly every shift. After the calls are over, EMTs have to deal with work-related stressors like shift work, scheduling demands and relationship stressors with peers and superiors. Stress is an on-the-job health risk that EMTs knowingly accept in exchange for a median national salary of only $30,168. Emergency Calls That Cause Stress EMTs are frequently confronted with life-threatening calls like a cardiac, respiratory, or diabetic emergencies as well as behavioral or mental health emergencies, severe trauma, allergic reactions, suspected poisonings and childbirth. The effects of stress from life-threatening emergencies compound over time and they last long after the emergency calls end...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News Administration and Leadership Source Type: news