US Medical Term · emergency
EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
Técnico en emergencias médicas
Also: Paramédico básico (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) |
| Spanish (Español) | Técnico en emergencias médicas |
| Chinese (中文) | 緊急醫療技術員 |
| Korean (한국어) | 응급 구조사 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Kỹ thuật viên y tế khẩn cấp |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Emergency Medical Technician |
| Portuguese (Português) | Técnico em emergências médicas |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เจ้าหน้าที่การแพทย์ฉุกเฉิน |
| Japanese (日本語) | 救急救命士（基礎） |
What it means
An EMT, or Emergency Medical Technician, is a trained first responder who provides emergency care before and during transport to a hospital. EMTs respond to 911 calls and can perform basic life support such as CPR, controlling bleeding, splinting fractures, and giving oxygen. There are different levels of certification in the US: EMT-Basic and Advanced EMT. EMTs work alongside paramedics, who have more advanced training. When an ambulance arrives, the crew will assess you, begin treatment, and communicate your condition to the hospital before you arrive. You can ask the EMT crew what care they are giving you.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
The EMT on the ambulance started an IV before we reached the hospital.
El técnico en emergencias médicas en la ambulancia me puso un suero antes de llegar al hospital.
An EMT will arrive within minutes after you call 911.
Un técnico en emergencias médicas llegará en minutos después de llamar al 911.
What is the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre un técnico en emergencias médicas y un paramédico?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026