A professional who administers life support care to sick and injured persons in prehospital setting as authorized and directed by physician. Responsibilities include:

• Assesses nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures to be followed or need for additional assistance.
• Restores and stabilizes heart rhythm on pulseless, nonbreathing patient, using defibrillator, or as directed by physician.
• Monitors cardiac patient, using electrocardiograph.
• Initiates intravenous fluids to administer medication or drugs, or to replace fluids lacking in body.
• Performs endotracheal intubation to open airways and ventilate patient.
• Administers injections of medications and drugs, following established protocols.
• Inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment on patient to improve blood circulation.
• Administers initial treatment at emergency scene and takes and records patient's vital signs.
• Assists in extricating trapped victims and transports sick and injured persons to treatment center.
• Observes, records, and reports to physician patient's condition and reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.
• May drive mobile intensive care unit to emergency scene.
• May serve as team leader for emergency medical technicians .
• May communicate with physician and other medical personnel via radio-telephone.