Initiative for Rural EMS (IREMS) Education

Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) Basic Course Information:

This course follows the National Standard Curriculum (1994) and is designed to prepare a student to be certified as a National Registry of EMT’s Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. The majority of prehospital emergency medical care is provided by the EMT-Basic, and this is considered the minimum certification level. It includes all skills necessary for the individual to provide emergency medical care at a basic life support level with an emergency medical service organization.

The EMT-Basic course is 110 hours in length, equally divided between lecture and practical skills labs. Courses are approved by the Vermont Department of Health Office of EMS and Injury Prevention. Candidates for the program must have a high school degree or GED and be certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support (CPR).

After successful completion of the program, the student will be capable of performing the following functions at the minimum entry level:

1. Recognize the nature and seriousness of the patient's condition or extent of injuries to assess requirements for emergency medical care

2. Administer appropriate emergency medical care based on assessment findings of the patient's condition

3. Lift, move, position and otherwise handle the patient to minimize discomfort and prevent further injury

4. Perform safely and effectively the expectations of the job description.

Students successfully completing the program are eligible for certification by the National Registry of EMT’s and the Vermont Department of Health. Individuals must also meet eligibility requirements of these two organizations.

Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate (EMT-I) Course Information:

This course follows the Vermont EMT-Intermediate-03 Curriculum and is designed to prepare a student for certification as a Vermont Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate (I-03). The course is approximately 104 hours of classroom time (divided between lecture and skills labs) and a clinical observation experience.

Students will develop competence in the following areas: advanced assessment, use of an advanced airway, intravenous therapy, and the management of (including pharmacological interventions) for patients suffering from non-traumatic chest pain, difficulty breathing consistent with bronchoconstriction, severe allergic reactions, and patients suffering altered mental states including diabetic and narcotic overdose emergencies.

To be eligible for the course, candidates must be certified as a Vermont EMT-Basic and have an affiliation with a Vermont-licensed ALS service. In addition, candidates must pass a written entrance exam.

EMT-B Refresher Course Information:

This course follows the National Standard EMT-B Refresher Curriculum (1994) and is designed to satisfy continuing education requirements for recertification as a Vermont EMT-Basic. This course is 24 hours in length, equally divided between lecture and practical skills labs. Courses are approved by the Vermont Department of Health Office of EMS and Injury Prevention.

EMT-Basic Refresher courses are scheduled and delivered as needed.

Wilderness Emergency Medicine

The Initiative for Rural Emergency Medical Services has been providing wilderness medicine courses since 1996. These programs are designed to prepare students to provide emergency care in wilderness or remote settings. Participants of these programs are usually required to have this training for jobs in outdoor recreation or outdoor education.

Wilderness First Responder Course

The foundation of the program is the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course. This eighty (80) hour program exceeds the minimum number of recommended course topics for Wilderness First Responder as developed by the Wilderness Medical Society. The course is equally divided between classroom lectures, skills labs and field days conducted off-campus in wilderness areas.

Wilderness First Responder Renewal (Recertification)

Most outdoor recreation or education organizations require individuals to renew their Wilderness First Responder training every two years. This renewal is accomplished by attending twenty four (24) hours of training, including recertification in Basic Cardiac Life Support (CPR). This training includes eight (8) hours of updates and review in the classroom, eight (8) hours of skills practice and eight (8) hours of scenario based training in a field setting. Participants who successfully complete the program receive an updated Wilderness First Responder certificate and BCLS certification.

Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician Module

This course is designed for individuals already certified at the Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) level who wish to expand their knowledge and skills to be better prepared in providing emergency care in wilderness or remote settings. Individuals use this training as preparation for service in Search and Rescue organizations, ski patrols as well as outdoor recreation and education. The forty (40) hour program includes lectures, skills practice, and scenario based training in a field setting.

Emergency Medicine Research Course

This course explores the impact of patients through emergency care at the Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC) Emergency Department. Participation will include hands-on research work in the Emergency Department with Research Associates (RAs) identifying, obtaining consent and enrolling patients into research studies (current studies include head injury and carbon monoxide poisoning). Additionally, clinical observations will include observing surgeries, cardiac catheterizations, and attending hospital rounds. Classroom work will allow participants to apply the following: how to design a research study, clinical and research ethics, statistics, and additional opportunities to attend advanced lectures in a small-group format with various providers from FAHC. This is a 3 credit course through the University of Vermont (UVM course number SURG195 for undergraduate students, SURG196 for returning students).

IREMS Course Schedule

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Last modified August 09 2012 03:17 PM