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Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training in Pennsylvania
Overview of EMS Certification Levels
Pennsylvania offers multiple levels of EMS training to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to medical emergencies. Below is an outline of each certification level, along with course details and requirements.
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Duration: 50-100 hours
The EMR course is the entry-level certification designed for individuals who may arrive at an emergency scene before an ambulance. This training is ideal for:
- Industrial response teams
- Law enforcement personnel
- Firefighters
- Park rangers
- Ski patrol
- Other rescue organizations
Course Content:
- Roles and responsibilities of the first responder
- Patient assessment for injury or illness
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Bleeding control and shock prevention
- Airway management
Certification Requirements:
- Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) 100 & 700
- Hazardous Materials Awareness training
- Passing the Pennsylvania practical skills evaluation and written examination
Note: EMRs cannot serve as primary caregivers on an ambulance but are valuable as additional support.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Duration: 150-200 hours
The EMT program builds on the EMR level, providing the essential skills and knowledge required for basic prehospital emergency care.
Course Content:
- EMT roles and responsibilities
- Anatomy and physiology overview
- Injury and illness assessment
- CPR and AED use
- Bleeding control and shock management
- Musculoskeletal injury care
- Medical emergencies, childbirth, pediatric and environmental emergencies
- Patient lifting and movement techniques
- Assisting with prescribed medications
Certification Requirements:
- Completion of ICS 100 & 700 and Hazardous Materials Awareness training
- 10 patient contacts
- Passing the Pennsylvania practical skills evaluation and National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) written examination
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
Duration: 150-250 hours
AEMTs provide both basic and limited advanced emergency medical care and transportation for critically ill or injured patients. They serve as a vital link between the scene and emergency healthcare facilities.
Course Content:
- Patient assessment and scene management
- Limited advanced airway management
- IV therapy and pharmacological interventions
- Cardiac rhythm monitoring
- Emergency medication administration
- Trauma and medical emergency management
Certification Requirements:
- Must have EMT certification
- Passing the National Registry practical and written exams
Paramedic
Prerequisite: Pennsylvania State EMT Certification
Paramedics undergo intensive training to develop advanced medical knowledge and clinical skills. Training includes classroom instruction, clinical experiences, and field internships.
Course Content:
- Advanced patient assessment
- Cardiovascular and respiratory emergencies
- Pediatric and geriatric emergency care
- Infectious disease management
- Shock and fluid therapy
- ECG monitoring and cardiac rhythm interpretation
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocols
- Airway management (including endotracheal and nasotracheal intubation)
- Intravenous (IV) therapy and pharmacology
- Emergency medication administration
- Advanced trauma interventions, including cricothyroidotomy and pneumothorax decompression
Certification Requirements:
- Completion of a Pennsylvania-accredited paramedic program
- Passing the National Registry practical and written examinations
Prehospital Registered Nurse (PHRN)
Registered nurses can obtain PHRN certification to provide prehospital emergency care.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Active Pennsylvania RN license
- Minimum age of 18
- Completion of the Pennsylvania Prehospital Registered Nurse Curriculum or knowledge and skills assessment
- Passing the National Registry Paramedic Assessment Test
Prehospital Physician (PHP) & Prehospital Physician Extender (PHPE)
Physicians and physician extenders can obtain prehospital certifications to operate within EMS systems.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Active Pennsylvania physician license
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
- Endorsement by the Regional Medical Director
EMS Training Institutes in Pennsylvania
The following institutions offer EMS certification courses. Contact them directly for program details and schedules.
Western Pennsylvania Training Centers:
Butler County Community College
College Drive, Oak Hills, Butler, PA 16003
888-826-2829 Ext. 8401
Community College of Allegheny County – Public Safety Institute
Pittsburgh, PA
412-237-2500
IUP Emergency Services Training Center
2712 West Pike Rd., Indiana, PA 15701
724-357-4051
Rural Regional College of Northwestern PA
300 Second Street, Warren, PA 16365
814-651-0691
Westmoreland County Community College – Public Safety Training Center
65 Public Safety Drive, Smithton, PA 15479
724-872-2447
Northwestern Pennsylvania Training Centers:
Clarion Hospital EMS
One Hospital Dr., Clarion, PA 16214
814-226-2619
EmergyCare
1926 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16502
814-870-1940
Superior Ambulance Service Training Institute
921 East Main Street Ext, Grove City, PA 16127
724-458-5350
Penn State Fayette – Eberly Campus
2201 University Drive, Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4217
Erie High School EMS Training Program
Jason Fink – jfink@eriesd.org
Get Started Today!
Whether you're beginning your EMS career or advancing to the next level, Pennsylvania offers comprehensive training programs to prepare you for emergency medical response. Contact a training center near you to enroll in a course today!
Need More Information
For additional details on EMS certifications and requirements, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health EMS Division.
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