Lots of replies and good information already shared, I'll share what I can. I'm a pre-med paramedic currently working working as an ED Paramedic in a community hospital. Prior to getting my medic license, I my title was "ER Tech" - at least here around here, ER Tech's can be anyone from CNA's to nursing students, or even paramedics.
Job Functions of ER Tech/EMT-B:
Will greatly depend on where you are employed and how much your fellow staff know you/trust you. At the EMT level though, you can generally expect to practice nearly all of your BLS skills such as:
Patient assessment, vitals and continuous monitoring and reassessment (BLS interventions when indicated) - A note on this, this is as much as you make it, RN's are typically not going to be reassessing their patients as much as you will have the opportunity to, simply because of their other job functions.
airway management (opa/npa, BVM, suctioning, ect..)
wound care (cleaning wounds, dressing wounds, splinting ortho-glass type splints)
CPR during codes
Obtaining EKG's
Lobby triage
Stocking supplies
Transport (using your two legs!)
Usually you'll have an option to learn phlebotomy (no IV's though)
Obtain trays/special needs for RN, PA, NP or Doc
"Assist" with various procedures at the discretion of the RN PA, NP or Doc (foley/ng tube/sutures, chest tubes/central lines ect..)
If Paramedic, add:
Some of the interventions within the scope of practice of a paramedic, at the discretion of your employer's policy and the RN/PA/NP/Doc. Generally though, all of the above, plus IV's. You generally are not operating under the same constructs as if you were in the field (no medical director), though you may have standing orders for certain pt presentations.
The job, whether emt or medic, is what you make it. It is a great learning experience to hone your patient assessment and triage skills, learn how patient's change over time (not uncommon to have a patient for your entire 12hour shift or much of it), learning subtle changes in presentation in critical patients, learning a lot about how the doctor thinks and treats patients based on their complaint ect ect ect.
A note on getting the job - SELL YOURSELF AS CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED.
