Emergency Medicine Jobs: Careers in Emergency Medicine

Emergency medicine jobs are tough and those working in this field will be dealing with everything from lacerations to broken bones to absolute traumas. Those who choose to have a career in emergency medicine can choose from several different jobs such as physicians, nurses, radiologists and emergency medical technicians.

A very popular emergency medicine job is that of an emergency medical technician. They are the first to treat emergency patients and need to be able to handle every type of medical emergency. To become an emergency medical technician one must complete an emergency medical technician program and any other state requirements. Once on the job they are responsible for stabilizing patients, transporting patients to an emergency facility and removing patients from auto accidents and other catastrophic events. They provide first aid, insert IV's, apply splints and braces, prepare patients for admittance into an emergency facility, obtain information about the patients injuries and anything else applicable to providing medical care to the patient.

A very in demand emergency medicine job is emergency nursing. Emergency nurses work in emergency rooms, trauma centers and critical care centers. They can work in a variety of sub-specialties such as pediatric emergency nursing, emergency trauma nursing, triage nursing, intensive care nursing or as a general emergency room nurse. Those who choose this career path will need to obtain a nursing education as well as pass all applicable licensing examinations. Registered nurses are more commonly found in emergency medicine jobs, but there are plenty of opportunities for Licensed Practical Nurses as well. Depending on the sub-specialty, emergency nurses may be required to obtain further education. Emergency nurses assist doctors with patients and procedures, draw blood, talk to the patient about their symptoms or injuries, administer IV's and medications and any other applicable job that a doctor may need them to perform.

Arguably the most difficult emergency medicine job is that of an emergency medicine physician. Emergency medical physicians are medical doctors who have obtained specialized training in emergency medicine. Career paths for emergency physicians include trauma, pediatrics, surgery and non-life threatening emergencies. Some physicians deal exclusively with setting broken bones, giving stitches and seeing patients without serious injuries or illnesses. Others deal exclusively with traumas such as auto accidents, gun shots, heart attacks and other very serious injuries and illnesses. Emergency physicians provide all levels of care and are able to perform all medically necessary procedures and treatments. They prescribe medications and diagnose and treat all injuries and illnesses.

An emergency medicine job that most people do not think about is emergency radiology. Those following this career path must obtain the required education and may be required to obtain further education in this sub-specialty of emergency medicine. They work exclusively with emergency patients in emergency rooms, trauma centers and urgent care facilities. Emergency radiologists use imaging technology to help diagnose and treat emergency patients. Most often they use general x-rays, MRI's, sonograms and CT scans in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Their special training allows them to look specifically for problems directly related to the patients accident or symptoms. This allows for a more accurate and timely diagnosis.

To learn more about careers in emergency medicine visit the emergency medicine job page for more information and how to apply for a job.