Education Programs
Current First Responder
This is the first level of training that Pennsylvania offers for people who want to be able to help in a medical emergency. This course is designed for those people who may arrive at an emergency scene prior to the arrival of an ambulance. Examples would be industrial response teams, law enforcement personnel, fire fighters, park rangers, ski patrollers or any other rescue organizations.
The course provides knowledge and skills necessary for activating the EMS system and providing immediate care for life threatening illness and injury, controlling the scene and managing the patient until the arrival of an ambulance.
The course includes training in: the roles and responsibilities of the first responder; assessing the patient for injury or illness; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); control of bleeding and prevention of shock; and airway control and maintenance.
The course includes a Pennsylvania practical skills evaluation and a written examination. Passing both will provide the student with a Pennsylvania State certification as a First Responder.
Although First Responders are not able to be the primary care giver on an ambulance, their help as a third caregiver is always greatly appreciated by the ambulance crew.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): 130 hours
The EMT – B course requires approximately 130 hours of instruction that includes the knowledge and skills required to provide basic prehospital emergency care. This program serves as the foundation for emergency medical services. The course follows the US Department of Transportation 1994 National Standard curriculum. It consists of 46 lessons.
The course teaches students the overall roles and responsibilities of the EMT; an overview of anatomy and physiology; assessment of injuries and illnesses; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); control of bleeding and shock; care of muscular skeletal injuries, medical emergencies, childbirth, pediatric emergencies, environmental emergencies; lifting and moving of patients; automatic external defibrillation; and assisting patients with their own prescribed medications. Also included are skills needed to assess the scene, and properly move and transport patients to the emergency department.
The course includes a Pennsylvania State practical skills evaluation and written examination, which, if passed, will provide a PA state certification as an EMT.
EMT – Paramedic
Prerequisite: Pennsylvania State EMT Certification
The paramedic training program is an extensive and intensive course that significantly increases the knowledge and skills to an advanced level. It includes both clinical and field experiences as well as the classroom knowledge and skills. Based on the National Standard Curriculum from the US Department of Transportation, the knowledge and skills include: an in-depth review of anatomy and physiology; patient assessment; cardiovascular and respiratory emergencies; pediatric and geriatric emergencies; infectious diseases; fluid and shock therapies; electrocardiogram monitoring and interpretation of cardiac rhythms; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocols; communications; manual defibrillation and external cardiac pacing; insertion of endotracheal and nasotracheal tubes; intravenous therapy; drug calculations and pharmacology; techniques for administration of emergency medications; performance of cricothyroidotomy and percutaneous transtracheal ventilation; decompression of a tension pneumothorax; and a review of the EMT-B knowledge and skills.
The course includes the National Registry practical and written examinations.
PA Prehospital RN (PA PHRN)
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The PA Department of Health will recognize as a pre-hospital registered nurse, a registered nurse who meets the following requirements: - Verification of PA Licensed RN in good standing
- Current ACLS Card
- 18 years of age or older
- Successfully completes Pennsylvania Pre-hospital Registered Nurse Curriculum adopted by the PA Department of Health or a knowledge and skills assessment process adopted by the PA Department of Health
- Successfully completes the National Registry written PHRN Assessment Test
- Successfully completes the Emergency Medical Technician practical skills examination or
- EMT-Paramedic National Registry Practical Skills Exam
- PHRN recognition is permanent.
PA Health Professional Physician
- The PA Department of Health will certify as a Health Professional Physician, a physician approved as having met the requirements of the EMS Act. The physician must be endorsed by the Regional Medical Director and provide the following:
- Verification of a Pennsylvania Physician License
- Copy of current ACLS certification
- Copy of PALS certification