If you’re considering training for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) exams, you’re probably trying to envision your life in the world of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). EMTs typically work a standard forty-hour work week, but they work longer or more irregular shifts than the average office worker.
However, your hours vary depending on your location and staffing for your EMS agency. You could be working twelve-hour shifts, swinging into overnights. Depending on the circumstances, you may even be assigned to work a twenty-four-hour shift. Many EMS students hear stories like these and wonder how much sleep EMTs get and what their lives will look like as an EMT.
In this post, we’ll walk you through a standard day in the life as an EMT and what you can expect on the job.
Standard EMT Schedule
Many EMTs work nine-, twelve-, or twenty-four-hour shifts, depending on their location. In rural areas with fewer EMS professionals, it’s common to see what is called the ‘Kelly Schedule’ system‒a nine-day cycle in which each team member works a twenty-four-hour shift followed by twenty-four hours off, then repeats‒or a ‘48/96’‒in which professionals work two twenty-four-hour shifts followed by four days off.
Common EMT Work Shift Types and Schedules
| Shift Type | Typical Length | Description | Common Locations |
| 9-hour Shift | 9 hours | Shorter than typical; often used in urban or well-staffed EMS agencies. | Urban EMS agencies |
| 12-hour Shift | 12 hours | Popular shift length balancing longer hours with more days off; common in many EMS services. | Mixed urban and rural areas |
| 24-hour Shift | 24 hours | Long shift followed by days off; includes on-call periods; requires stamina and alertness. | Rural EMS, Kelly Schedule systems |
| 48/96 Shift | Two 24-hour shifts followed by 4 days off | Intensive schedule with long workdays and extended rest periods. | Rural or volunteer EMS agencies |
So, what happens on the shift? Whether you’re working nine hours or forty-eight, here is an outline of what to expect:
The Shift Starts
Once you clock in, you might catch up with your team as you check your equipment and inspect the ambulance. You need to make sure everything is where it needs to be and your supplies are fully stocked before you respond to any calls because any missing tool or broken equipment can cost lives.
Daily Tasks
No day is just like the day before when you’re an EMT. You can’t predict the situations you will respond to or the patients you see. You will likely respond to accidents, such as car crashes or falls, or sudden medical emergencies, like strokes or cardiac arrests.
EMTs can respond to calls regarding childbirth, trauma care, industrial mishaps, and more, which we cover in-depth in our Video Vault. That is why EMT training is extensive‒you need to be able to keep your cool and know how to respond to anything. You will also need clear communication skills, quick decision-making skills, and empathy. On top of technical lessons, the Paramedic Coach gives you several tips on how to deal with these situations and how to overcome the usual physical, emotional, and mental challenges that come with the job.
After all, your patients are scared or stressed, and you never know what situations could leave members of your team feeling shocked or frozen, so it’s essential to know how to handle yourself and act in critical circumstances.
Responding to Emergencies
When you receive a call to respond to, you spring into action. A dispatcher will send you the details of the scene, and your team will head off in the ambulance. Once at the scene, you need to assess the situation, remove immediate threats or danger, and treat your patients. This can include checking their vital signs, providing reassurance, and administering medications. All of this is covered in our Video Vault, with extra focus on patient assessment, which is the bedrock of being an EMT. Check out the Paramedic Coach on YouTube for a taste of what you can get!
Wrapping Up the Day
Once your shift begins to wind down, next comes the paperwork. You must complete detailed patient care reports (PCRs) about the patients you treated on your shift, the care you provided, and any medications you may have administered.
EMTs report to either their shift supervisor or their charge nurse, providing them with an overview of the cases from the shift, changes or developments, and the current status of the patients. Then, you debrief with your team before you clock out for the day.
Expert Insights From EMS Professionals
If you’re fascinated by a career in EMS and want to know more, we offer a special deal with lifetime access to the Video Vault for EMS professionals and students like you. We cover everything from what the youngest age to be an EMT is to understanding different medications breaking down complicated topics in an easy-to-understand way.
Many of our students find insane value in our Video Vault, saying that after watching the different videos, everything just starts clicking. What they learn in the classroom begins to make sense, and they become better prepared to take on the NREMT exam with confidence.
Thanks to the comprehensive resources from The Paramedic Coach, aspiring EMS professionals in our community pass their test with ease because they come in with a full grasp of the key concepts. They answer questions knowing the context of the topics and with deep knowledge of what happens and what to do–it’s not just words memorized off a textbook!
This is what makes our Video Vault different: our resources supplement your current learning by taking a different approach, and we explain things in a language that you understand, making EMS less intimidating. We cover all that you need to know to pass the NREMT exam and become the best EMT that you can be.
The best part? You have unlimited access to our exclusive network of EMS professionals, where you can gain their insight and receive critical career-changing advice. Take it from our countless success stories who have now transitioned into licensed EMS professionals, thanks to the support of our Video Vault community. Don’t wait, sign up today!
