emergency medical technician (EMT)
A health care practitioner trained to respond to medical emergencies by providing on-the-spot care for a critically ill or injured person then bringing the person to a hospital for further medical treatment. Emergency medical technicians communicate closely with the hospital's critical care team as they transport the new patient. They prepare the team for the patient's arrival by informing them of the type of illness or injury to be treated, to what extent the illness or injury is affecting the patient, and any pre-existing conditions the patient may have that conflict with possible treatment. Some of the care EMTs provide on-the-spot include opening airways, controlling bleeding, or assisting in childbirth. 