What Is Emergency Medical Technician Refresher Training?

There are two main purposes for refresher course training:

• Firstly it allows individuals to renew their certification and therefore continue working as EMTs

• Secondly it ensures that all of the knowledge that you possess on the subject is up to date and that you are fully equipped to continue being a successful EMT in the field

Different states may have slightly different rules for EMT re-certification, but there tends to be refresher courses available in all states for those EMTs who want to renew their license or who simply want to expand their knowledge.

Expired Certification

As an EMT it is your responsibility to keep up with when your certification will expire. Remember that it can take a while to receive re-certification, so it is very important that you plan ahead. If your certification is due to expire within 9 months, you should immediately enroll in a refresher course. If you do not there may be a period of time in between expiration of your certification and renewal of your certification in which you will not be allowed to work or volunteer as an EMT. Clearly this is a state of affairs that should be avoided.

Requirements

There are a number of requirements that you will need to meet in order to enroll in a refresher course of this nature. It is firstly interesting to note that there are several different types of EMTs:

• Medical first responders
• EMT Basics
• Intermediate technicians
• EMT-Intermediate
• EMT Paramedic

As you move up the chain your responsibilities and roles become more and more complex. Each of these levels in the emergency medical services has its own distinct set of requirements that must be met before you can enroll in a refresher course for that qualification.

The rules are different for different states. As an example we will look at the refresher requirements for Wisconsin below.

Medical First Responder

The most basic level of emergency medical care is to be a medical first responder. In order to become re-certified as a medical first responder you will need to have:

• A current healthcare provider CPR certification
• Completed a 18 hour First Responder Refresher course in the current biennium

If you meet these basic requirements you will considered to be re-certified. You can also complete refresher courses to improve your skills. There are three course types that you can take which will allow you to become re-certified:

• An approved First Responder course
• An approved EMT-Basic course
• An approved EMT-Basic Refresher course

EMT Basic

The refresher requirements for EMT-Basic also require that you have a current CPR certificate. In addition you need to complete one of the following:

• An approved 30 hour EMT-Basic Refresher course in the current biennium
• Approved Alternate Refresher requirements in the current biennium

The courses that you can complete in order to meet the refresher requirements at this level of emergency medical services are the EMT-Basic course, the EMT-Intermediate Technician course, or the didactic portion of the EMT-Intermediate or EMT-Paramedic courses. Completing any of these will allow you to say that you have met the refresher requirements.

EMT-Intermediate Technician

The requirements here are very similar to the above mentioned options. Firstly you need to hold current CPR certification if you want to be re-certified at this level. In addition you will also need to have completed an approved course lasting 30 hours or one of the approved alternate refresher requirements that that are available. Both must be completed in the current biennium which spans from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012. In addition to these basic requirements you will also need to show that you have completed either a department approved 12 hour EMT-Intermediate Technician refresher course or 12 hours of medical director approved continuing education.

EMT-Intermediate

According to dhs.wisconsin.gov the following is required in order to be re-certified at this level of the emergency medical health care services in Wisconsin:

• “Current healthcare provider CPR certification, AND
• Current ACLS certification, AND
• Completion of a Department approved 48 hour EMT-Paramedic Refresher course OR 48 hours of medical director approved continuing education at the EMT-Intermediate level of training and scope of practice in the current biennium”

EMT-Paramedic

Completing an EMT-Paramedic course will allow you to be re-certified at this level. The other requirements are essentially the same as those needed to refresh your knowledge at EMT-Paramedic level. In other words you will need to hold current CPR certification as well as current ACLS certification. In addition you will need to complete a refresher course or meet the requirements a medical director approved continuing education course at EMT-Paramedic level.

These are the requirements for the state of Wisconsin. Other states may have very similar requirements, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you have a full understanding of what those requirements are.

Some Locations For EMT Refresher Courses

There are a number of locations across the country where you will be able to engage in emergency medical technician refresher training, including the popular options listed below.

Emergency Care Programs
872 East 29th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11210
718-333- 2273
emergencycareny.com

Description: This course is specifically for EMT-B’s and offers comprehensive training that builds on coursework learned previously as well as adding to the EMT’s knowledge and ensuring that all updates and changes in the industry are understood. Located in New York, this program prepares EMT’s well to continue working in the field. The course starts with a challenge exam and builds from that point onwards.

National Polytechnic College of Science: Los Angeles Campus
National Polytechnic College of Science
5245 Pacific Concourse Drive
Suite 134
Los Angeles, CA 90045-6905
800-432-3483
natpoly.edu

National Polytechnic College of Science: Kearny Mesa Campus
National Polytechnic College of Science
3580 Aero Court
San Diego, CA 92123-1711
800-432-3483
natpoly.edu

Description: This is a course offered in California that covers the 24 basic principles required of EMTs who are seeking to engage in a refresher course. Some of the topics that will be covered in this course include:

• Patient assessment
• Ethical problems
• Health and safety of an EMT
• Medical emergencies
• Trauma management

In order to be eligible to enroll in this emergency medical technician refresher course students must provide proof that they are currently EMTs, such as their EMT card. The course takes 24 hours and counts towards the necessary continuing education requirements for the state.

National Outdoor Leadership School: Wilderness Medicine Institute
National Outdoor Leadership School
284 Lincoln Street
Lander, WY 82520
866-831-9001
nols.edu

Description: This is a three day refresher course for EMTs and is aimed specifically at EMT-Bs. The course is comprehensive and extensive and covers all of the necessary units in order for it to count towards continuing education.

Northern California Paramedic Association: San Francisco Paramedic Association
657 Mission Street
Suite 302
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-543-1161
sfparamedics.org

Description: The Northern California Paramedic Association offers a three-day course that includes EMT-1 re-certification and meets the guidelines for EMT-B refresher education. This program fulfills the necessary 24 hours of continuing education and completes the skills verification required for re-certification.

The emergency medical technician refresher courses mentioned above are specific to certain states and cities across the country. However it is important to note that there are refresher courses across the country, and that you are certainly not limited to the list included above. Refresher training counts towards continuing education units and is also useful for EMTs who have lost certification for whatever reasons and who would like to become re-certified in the field of emergency medical services. Many schools that offer initial training also offer refresher courses, so your original school or program coordinator is a good place to start looking.

Being certain that you meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in an emergency medical technician refresher course is the first hurdle that you must overcome on your path to becoming re-certified or to improving your level of knowledge in the field. Potential employers are more inclined to hire those EMTs who have shown that they are dedicated to the profession by choosing to complete refresher courses. It will also leave you feeling more confident in your job. The best EMT positions tend to go to EMTs who stand out from the crowd. Completing refresher training in the field will help you be one of those EMTs.

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Emergency medical technicians provide a vital emergency service, which includes attending to and transporting sick or injured individuals to a medical facility. It is the EMT’s responsibility to assess the patient’s condition, take their vital signs, provide care at the scene of an accident and en route to the hospital, and manage cardiac, respiratory, and trauma emergencies. Emergency medical technicians may work as police officers, fire fighters, or ER technicians and some of them may drive ambulances.

Emergency medical technicians need to be emotionally stable, have good eyesight with accurate color vision, be agile, have good physical coordination, be dexterous, and be strong enough to lift/carry heavy loads. They generally have to deal with cardiac arrest, bleeding, airway obstruction, fractures, and sometimes even emergency childbirth. Emergency medical technicians are typically those who enjoy challenges and find the opportunity to help others and the excitement of dealing with an emergency situation very stimulating.

EMTs need to be trained in use of suction devices, the use of splints and backboards, bandaging of various wounds, the use of oxygen delivery systems, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), stretchers, automatic external defibrillators, and extrication. The NSCC EMT Program is the longest running EMT program in the state and has been around for more than 30 years. It offers first-class, streamlined training for a career as an EMT, and can brag with a 99% pass rate within the past five years.

Working Conditions Of An Emergency Medical Technician

As an EMT, you will work irregular hours, as medical emergencies do not stick to office hours, and you may be required to be on call for extended periods.

The hours that you will work as an EMT depends on where you work:

• Hospital EMTs, which make up about 20% of EMTs, generally work a 45-60 hour week.

• Private ambulance services, which take approximately 40% of EMTs generally work a 45-50 hour week.

• Fire departments and local governments take about 30% of EMTs, and they generally work a 50 hour week.

The nature of the job means that emergency medical technicians work both indoors and outdoors, and in all weather. You will work mainly in metropolitan areas, and need to have lots of stamina and be physically fit, as the job is stressful and physically demanding.

As an emergency medical technician, you will constantly be faced with life-or-death situations and may be exposed to disease and face some challenging situations with medically unstable patients.

Employment Outlook For An EMT

The employment prospects for an emergency medical technician who qualifies from the NSCC EMT Program are very good, as the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics puts the projected growth at around 19 percent in the 2006 and 2016 decade. This is due to more paid positions opening as opposed to volunteer positions, and the aging baby-boomer population that is in need of more assistance from emergency services every year.

The best employment opportunities are in private ambulance services and cities, and although there is more competition in local government positions with their police and fire departments and independent rescue squads, there are also better benefits.

Preparation For The NSCC EMT Program

An EMT must have advanced first aid testing and CPR; the CPR must be at the CPR for the Professional Rescuer level or Healthcare Provider level. Graduates of an EMT training program must have a job or obtain a volunteer appointment with a qualified field agency such as a fire department, search and rescue, fishery ambulance, or ski patrol in order to get certification in Washington. Clinics and hospitals do not qualify.

All fifty states require that emergency medical technicians are certified, which means taking the National Registry examination in order to be certified to work in Washington State, and must do additional out-of- state certification, if you want to work out-of-state. Re-certification for Washington State must take place every 3 years, and National Registry re-certification must be done every 2 years. You will also be required to do Competency Based Training of 10 hours annually, as provided by agencies who hire EMTs.

The NSCC EMT Certificate Program

The NSCC EMT Program will teach you the roles and responsibilities of the Emergency Medical Technician as per state and King County standards and requirements. You will be taught how to evaluate patients and various other emergency medical procedures.

Prerequisites

In order to be accepted into the NSCC EMT Program, you will have to meet the following prerequisites:

• Be at least 18 years of age – proof of this will be required.

• A high school diploma or GED equivalency – copy of certificates to be provided.

• Attend a mandatory orientation session – these sessions are held quarterly and provide basic information on the NSCC EMT Program, class content, and expectations. Orientation is open to all.

• Complete the First Aid Entrance Exam – to be done approximately one month prior to the start of class. Class participation is on exam score, and the pass mark is 70% or more. The cost of this exam is a $35 application fee and $25 test proctor fee, which is to be paid at the NSCC Cashier’s office and both forms, with the cashier’s paid stamp on them, must be taken to the test. The top 42 scores will gain entry to the NSCC EMT Program, and the next 10 highest scores will go on a waiting list and will be notified if individuals in the top 42 do not wish to enrol. In order to prepare for this exam you should study Emergency Medical Responder: First Responder in Action, 2nd ed., by Barbara Aehlert, published by McGraw-Hill. The NSCC bookstore will be able to provide you with information if you cannot access the book.

• Be in possession of a valid U.S. driver’s license – a copy of which must be submitted upon enrolment in the course.

• Obtain your AHE191 or valid CPR Certification. A copy of your CPR card must be submitted on the first night of the NSCC EMT Program. The American Heart Association’s Healthcare Provider is the only acceptable CPR course, as it meets all the necessary requirements for the program. You can access the CPR course by registering in person at the Health & Human Services division office. The course cost, including tuition fees is $146, and you will also need to purchase as the textbook titled BLS for the Healthcare Provider by the American Heart Association and a pocket mask.

• Have the physical strength to be able to extricate, lift and carry extricate patients up to 200 lbs. with a partner.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the NSCC EMT Program is the AHE190 Emergency Medical Technician course, which consists of 10 credits, excluding prerequisites. You do not need to sign up in advance for this course, but must adhere to the prerequisites, which include the mandatory orientation and entrance exam.

Students who are set to complete their NSCC EMT Program requirements at the end of the quarter must apply for their award as soon as they enrol in their final classes. They must apply no later than the end of the previous quarter. This is very easily achieved by meeting with your faculty coordinator or advisor and officially completing the application. Once you have completed your application, it will be submitted to Admissions/Registration office by the faculty coordinator or advisor.

The total NSCC EMT Program consists of 150 hours of classroom and practical laboratory training, and an additional minimal 10 hours of in-hospital observation. The course covers all the requirements for individuals who provide pre-hospital emergency care according to the EMT Basic Curriculum, Washington State Law, the United States Department of Transportation, and King County EMS Guidelines.

Program Costs

The cost of the NSCC EMT Program is currently $1093, which consists of:

• State tuition of $160 – $16 per credit x 10 credits
• A self-support lab fee – $918
• Professional Liability Fee – $15

Over and above these fees you will be required to have or purchase a textbook, a workbook, a wristwatch, and an EMT kit.

State Reciprocity & National Registry

The NSCC EMT Program trains EMS students to meet the standards of Washington State to enable them to sit for the Emergency Medical Technician certificate examination. If you already have licensure in another state and wish to transfer to Washington State, you can contact the King County EMS on (206) 296-4861 or, should you require more information, contact Blake Harrison directly.

Graduates of the NSCC EMT Program are eligible to take the National Registry Exam to qualify for state certification once they have met the Washington State requirement of employment. The North Seattle Community College does not offer testing or certification in the National Registry program. Information regarding testing or certification can be accessed at the National Registry.

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