EMT Jobs in Atlanta: How to Start and Grow Your Career

Atlanta is a major medical hub for the Southeast, with busy hospitals, a large metro population, and a constant need for emergency medical services. If you’re interested in EMT jobs in Atlanta, you’re looking at a field with steady demand, varied work settings, and clear paths to advance.

This guide walks you through how EMT jobs work in Atlanta, where you can work, how to get certified in Georgia, pay expectations, and practical next steps.

What EMTs Do in Atlanta

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Atlanta provides pre-hospital emergency care and patient transport. Day to day, that can mean:

• Responding to 911 calls for medical and trauma emergencies
• Assessing patients, taking vitals, and documenting conditions
• Providing basic life support (BLS), including CPR and oxygen
• Assisting paramedics with more advanced care
• Transporting patients safely to Atlanta-area hospitals
• Communicating with Grady EMS dispatch, fire departments, and hospital staff

In metro Atlanta, EMTs handle everything from downtown traffic accidents and major event coverage (sporting events, concerts) to suburban medical calls in surrounding counties.

Types of EMT Jobs Available in Atlanta

You’ll find EMT roles in public agencies, hospital systems, and private companies. The main categories include:

1. 911 Emergency Response

These EMT jobs are tied to emergency dispatch (911) and usually involve rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Common employers include:

• Grady EMS – Metro Atlanta’s primary 911 EMS provider, especially within the City of Atlanta
  • Headquarters: 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) – Firefighters with medical training; some positions require EMT or paramedic certification
• County EMS / Fire Agencies in the metro area (e.g., Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett)

Work here is fast-paced, with high call volume and a wide variety of emergencies.

2. Hospital-Based and Non‑Emergency Transport

Some Atlanta hospitals and medical transportation services hire EMTs for:

• Interfacility transports (moving patients between hospitals or care facilities)
• Non-emergency medical transport (dialysis trips, skilled nursing facility transfers, etc.)
• In-hospital support roles, depending on the system’s structure

Hospitals and systems in or around Atlanta that may employ EMTs include:

• Grady Health System (Atlanta Medical District)
• Emory Healthcare (including Emory University Hospital, Emory Midtown)
• Piedmont Healthcare (Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, etc.)
• Wellstar Health System (e.g., Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center South, other metro locations)

Non-emergency transport jobs often have more predictable schedules than 911 EMS, though pay and pace may differ.

3. Event and Standby Medical Coverage

Atlanta hosts:

• Professional sports (NBA, NFL, MLS, MLB)
• College sports
• Concerts and festivals
• Large conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center

EMTs may work:

• Event-based shifts providing onsite medical coverage
• Part-time or PRN (as-needed) roles with event medical companies or health systems

These jobs can be a good way to supplement income or gain additional experience.

4. Industrial, Corporate, and Campus EMT Roles

Some organizations in the Atlanta area hire EMTs for on-site medical support, such as:

• Large manufacturing or warehouse facilities
• Corporate campuses
• Colleges and universities
• Airport or transit-related operations

These roles may focus more on occupational health, minor injuries, and safety than on frequent 911 emergencies.

Levels of EMT Certification in Georgia

For Atlanta EMT jobs, you’ll typically encounter these certification levels:

• EMT (Basic) – Entry-level; provides basic life support
• Advanced EMT (AEMT) – Can perform some advanced procedures and medication administration
• Paramedic – Highest standard field level; advanced airway management, cardiac care, more medications

Many local employers list EMT as the minimum, but AEMT or Paramedic often leads to more job options and higher pay.

How to Become an EMT in Atlanta

Step 1: Complete an Approved EMT Program

You must finish a state-approved EMT course that covers:

• Anatomy and physiology basics
• Patient assessment
• Trauma and medical emergencies
• CPR/BLS certification
• Clinical or field ride-along hours

In the Atlanta area, EMT programs are often available through:

• Technical colleges (such as programs within the Technical College System of Georgia)
• Community colleges
• Hospital-based or EMS agency-affiliated training centers
• Private EMS education programs

Programs can range from a few months (for EMT) to a year or more for advanced levels.

Step 2: Pass the National Certification Exam

After your course, you’ll typically take:

• The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam for your level (EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic)

This usually includes:

• A computer-based cognitive exam
• A psychomotor (skills) exam, often arranged through your training program

Step 3: Obtain Georgia State Licensure

To work as an EMT in Atlanta, you need a Georgia EMT license through:

Georgia Office of EMS and Trauma
2 Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

You’ll generally submit:

• Proof of completed EMT program
• NREMT certification (for most levels)
• Background check details
• Application and associated fees

Licensure rules can change, so it’s important to check the most current requirements directly with the Georgia Department of Public Health – Office of EMS and Trauma.

Step 4: Maintain Certifications

Most EMT roles in Atlanta expect you to:

• Keep your NREMT up to date (if applicable)
• Complete continuing education (CE) hours
• Maintain CPR/BLS (and possibly ACLS, PALS for higher levels or certain roles)

Many employers provide or help coordinate training to stay current.

Where EMTs Work in Atlanta: Quick Comparison

Typical Requirements for EMT Jobs in Atlanta

While each employer is different, job postings in the Atlanta area commonly require:

• Current Georgia EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic license
• Current CPR/BLS certification (from a recognized training body)
• Valid Georgia driver’s license and clean driving record (for transport roles)
• Ability to lift and move patients and equipment
• Flexibility for shift work, including nights and weekends
• Background check and possible drug screening

Some employers prefer:

• NREMT certification
• Experience in EMS, even volunteer or clinical ride-along time
• Additional training like ACLS, PALS, or EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operator Course), especially for Paramedics

EMT Pay and Schedules in Atlanta

Pay can vary based on:

• Certification level (EMT vs AEMT vs Paramedic)
• Type of employer (public agency, hospital, private company)
• Experience and shift differentials (nights, weekends, holidays)

In the Atlanta metro:

• Entry-level EMTs typically earn less than Paramedics but may receive higher pay for busy 911 systems or night shifts.
• Many EMT roles are full-time with benefits, though part-time, PRN, and per-diem work is also common.

Schedules may include:

• 12-hour or 24-hour shifts for 911 and fire-based EMS
• 8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts for hospital-based and transport roles

Because terms and pay structures change over time, it’s a good idea to review multiple current postings from different Atlanta-area employers to get a realistic local range.

How to Find EMT Jobs in Atlanta

To locate current EMT openings:

• Check career pages for major Atlanta health systems (Grady, Emory, Piedmont, Wellstar, etc.)
• Visit local government job portals (City of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County)
• Look at private EMS and transport companies serving the Atlanta metro
• Network with instructors, preceptors, and coworkers from your EMT training and clinical rotations

When reviewing postings, pay attention to:

• Required vs preferred certifications
• Service area (city vs broader metro counties)
• Shift schedules and mandatory overtime expectations
• Probationary or training periods for new hires

Helpful Atlanta-Area Contacts and Agencies

Here are some key organizations connected to EMT careers in the Atlanta area:

Grady EMS / Grady Health System
80 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr SE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD)
Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters
226 Peachtree St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Georgia Department of Public Health – Office of EMS and Trauma
2 Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

These organizations can be useful for:

• Understanding licensure and certification requirements
• Learning more about 911 coverage and EMS systems in Atlanta
• Exploring recruitment and training programs tied to the metro area

Always verify addresses, phone numbers, and application instructions with the organization directly, as details can change.

Tips for Standing Out in the Atlanta EMT Job Market

A few practical ways to strengthen your application:

• Get experience early – Take full advantage of ride-alongs, clinical time, or volunteer roles in nearby agencies.
• Aim for strong patient communication skills – Atlanta is diverse; being comfortable with different backgrounds and ages is key.
• Learn the city layout – Familiarity with Atlanta’s neighborhoods, major roads, and traffic patterns helps in field work.
• Consider advancing levels – Moving from EMT to AEMT or Paramedic can open more doors within metro Atlanta agencies.
• Stay current on continuing education – Employers value EMTs who actively keep skills and knowledge up to date.

If you live in or are moving to Atlanta and are interested in EMT jobs, you’ll find a range of paths—from high-intensity 911 work with Grady EMS or local fire departments to more structured roles in hospitals, transport services, and corporate settings. Understanding the Georgia certification process, the local employers, and the type of work environment you want will help you target the right opportunities across the Atlanta metro area.