Emergency-care
provider trained to
assist a
physician or to give
first aid in the absence of a physician. A highly trained
Emergency Medical Technician provides advanced emergency medical care under the direction of a
physician, either directly via radio or through the operation of protocols; paramedics do much more than
first aid, including
advanced cardiac life support airway management administration of lifesaving
drugs and
IVs; paramedics are highly offended if called
ambulance drivers.
Greek
para-(
beside) and English
medical.