Home/
5 Steps to Becoming an Emergency Medical Dispatcher
5 Steps to Becoming an Emergency Medical Dispatcher
Research what it takes to become an emergency medical dispatcher. Learn about the necessary skills, training, certification, and salary potential to find out if this is the career for you.
What Does an Emergency Medical Dispatcher Do?
Emergency medical dispatchers are intermediaries between emergency callers and first responders. These professionals typically answer calls placed to emergency response phone numbers such as 911. They collect information from distressed individuals and may provide limited support and instructional assistance to callers. Dispatchers will also classify calls as emergency or non-emergency and relay information to relevant personnel, such as ambulance units. Because a dispatcher may be communicating with individuals in the midst of high-stress situations, a calm, rational and proactive problem-solving mentality is key. Further, the dispatcher will often input information into databases, which requires solid computing skills.
The following table provides detailed information for this career:
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Education Required</b> </td><td> High school diploma or GED</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Training Required</b> </td><td> Emergency medical dispatcher training course</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Key Skills</b> </td><td> Communication, organization, multi-tasking</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Certification</b> </td><td> CPR certification, voluntary EMD certification from the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 4% for all dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $40,980 for all dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsAnEmergencyMedicalDispatcher">What Is an Emergency Medical Dispatcher?</h3><p>An emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) is a communications specialist who processes calls from the public requesting immediate medical assistance. Your primary responsibilities are to answer calls, obtain a caller's location and the nature of their emergency, determine the severity of their need and send the appropriate response. You may also be tasked with instructing a caller on first aid. As an EMD, you'll need to speak and write clearly, organize multiple tasks and remain calm when engaging people who are distraught or in panic.
</p><h3 id="section---Step1EarnAHighSchoolDiploma">Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma</h3><p>At least a high school diploma or equivalent is needed to work as a medical dispatcher. According to O*Net OnLine, about 75% of police, fire and ambulance dispatchers have only a high school diploma (<i>www.onetonline.org</i>). Courses in math and English can develop some of the basic skills you'll need as an EMD.
</p><h3 id="section---Step2GetTraining">Step 2: Get Training</h3><p>Several community colleges and vocational schools offer training courses for emergency medical dispatchers modeled after protocols set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's EMD curriculum. You'll learn how to handle calls, prioritize needs and give instructions to callers. You'll also study anatomy and physiology, stress management, resource allocation and quality assurance. These courses may be completed in a week. Employers may also require you to become CPR certified, which is available at your local chapter of the American Red Cross.
</p><h3 id="section---Step3SeekEmployment">Step 3: Seek Employment</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 192,100 individuals who held jobs as dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance in 2020 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Over the 2020-2030 decade, employment of these workers was projected to increase by about four percent due to consolidation and technology advances, the BLS noted.
</p><p>Local governments are the primary employer of dispatchers, but you may be able to find positions with ambulatory health care services, state governments and hospitals. The BLS reported that emergency medical dispatchers earned a median annual salary of $40,980 as of May 2020.
</p><h3 id="section---Step4AttainCertification">Step 4: Attain Certification</h3><p>Certification is voluntary but could improve your career prospects. You can obtain certification from the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch by completing their EMD certification course and passing the certification exam. The exam consists of 50 questions and requires a score of 80% or better.
</p><h3 id="section---Step5AdvanceYourCareer">Step 5: Advance Your Career</h3><p>You have several opportunities for advancement, especially in a large emergency medical services system. You could become a trainer or supervisor of EMDs, or a dispatch center manager. If you work in a small system you could seek a position in a large system. Or, you could consider a lateral move into police or fire dispatch.
</p><h2 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h2><p>Individuals seeking a more hands-on role in assisting distressed individuals may choose to pursue careers as police officers, firefighters or EMTs. These careers generally require some form of postsecondary training, whether through a police or fire academy training program or an emergency medical services degree or certificate.
</p><p>While not in the emergency services sector, a similar career that heavily emphasizes assisting people over the phone is that of a call center representative. These professionals provide customer service and can qualify for employment with a high school diploma.</p>
