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EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN - PARAMEDIC

• We have no paramedic programs scheduled at this time
• Please check with our affiliate, American Safety Programs in North Providence: 401-273-6900

GENERAL INFORMATION - EMT PARAMEDIC

Overview

The 911PROGRAMS Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic program provides the highest level of training in the career structure of Emergency Medical Technicians.  Upon successful completion of this program (which includes written and practical examinations), graduates are eligible to take the written and practical certification examinations of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians - which are accepted as the licensure examinations for the State of Rhode Island.

Students who take our Paramedic Program receive FREE enrollment in our EMT-Cardiac Course and ET Intubation course

Attain the highest licensure level available in EMS

Whether you are an experienced pre-hospital provider or fairly new to the profession, this course will prepare you for the complex role of a high-level advanced life support provider.  The 911PROGRAMS paramedic program an complete educational program - not a "training course."  The program includes renewal of basic EMS concepts and skills as well as a comprehensive Anatomy & Physiology component.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE - EMT PARAMEDIC

Licensure Testing Procedure

The procedure for EMT-P testing (following successful completion of all phases of the paramedic program, including course-ending written and practical exam) is to take written and practical examinations administered by the National Registry of EMTs.  Rhode Island accepts paramedic certification by the National Registry for state licensure.  Note: other requirements are also necessary and include at a minimum, current CPR (BLS for HCP) and ACLS.  For current requirements, contact the Rhode Island Division of EMS at 401-222-2401.

RI State Rules and Regulations

To view the complete Rules and Regulations Relating to Emergency Medical Services in Rhode Island (R23-4.1-EMS), click this link: http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/dar/regdocs/released/pdf/DOH/4698.pdf.

RI EMT License Application

To view, download, and print the Rhode Island Department of Health Division of Emergency Medical Services Application for Licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician, click this link: http://health.ridisaster.org/downloads/EMT_App_2007.12.pdf.

Authority to Conduct EMS Training in Rhode Island

Only individuals licensed by the RI Department of Health may serve as the Instructor-Coordinator for EMT training programs in Rhode Island. Instructor-Coordinators may conduct EMS training programs up to the level of his/her licensure.  William Howe (President, 911PROGRAMS) is a licensed paramedic and licensed instructor-coordinator in Rhode Island - license number 5453-P.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES - EMT PARAMEDIC

Career Paths

While Emergency Medical Technician - Cardiacs are the primary ALS care providers for most services in Rhode Island, implementation of paramedic-level EMS providers is becoming more prevalent.  Some of the opportunities available locally include:

• Fire Departments

• EMS Agencies

• Private Ambulance Companies

• Education institutions

Many fire departments and most EMS and ambulance services require at minimum, licensure as an EMT-Basic - some require advanced (EMT-Cardiac or EMT-Paramedic) licensure

Career Requirements:

The EMT-Paramedic is responsible for the following EMT-Basic duties, as well as additional ALS duties outlined below.

• Responds to emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured, and transports the patient to a medical facility.

• After receiving the call from the dispatcher, drives the ambulance to address or location given, using the most expeditious route, depending on traffic and weather conditions.  Observes traffic ordinances and regulations concerning emergency vehicle operation.

• Upon arrival at the scene of crash or illness, parks the ambulance in a safe location to avoid additional injury.  Prior to initiating patient care, the EMT-Basic will also "size-up" the scene to determine that the scene is safe, the mechanism of injury or nature of illness, total number of patients and to request additional help if necessary.  In the absence of law enforcement, creates a safe traffic environment, such as the placement of road flares, removal of debris, and re-direction of traffic for the protection of the injured and those assisting in the care of injured patients.

• Determines the nature and extent of illness or injury and establishes priority for required emergency care.  Based on assessment findings, renders emergency medical care to adult, infant and child, medical and trauma patients.  Duties include but are not limited to, opening and maintaining an airway, ventilating patients, and cardiopulmonary resuscita­tion, including use of automated external defibrillators.  Provide prehospital emergency medical care of simple and multiple system trauma such as controlling hemorrhage, treatment of shock (hypoperfusion), bandaging wounds, and immobiliza­tion of painful, swollen, deformed extremities.  Medical patients include:  Assisting in childbirth, management of respiratory, cardiac, diabetic, allergic, behavioral, and environmental emergencies, and suspected poisonings.  Searches for medical identification emblem as a clue in providing emergency care.  Additional care is provided based upon assessment of the patient and obtaining historical information.  These interventions include assisting patients with prescribed medications, including sublingual nitroglycerin, epinephrine auto-injectors and hand-held aerosol inhalers.  The EMT-Basic will also be responsible for administration of oxygen, oral glucose and activated charcoal.

• Reassures patients and bystanders by working in a confident, efficient manner.  Avoids mishandling and undue haste while working expeditiously to accomplish the task.

• Where a patient must be extricated from entrapment, assesses the extent of injury and gives all possible emergency care and protection to the entrapped patient and uses the prescribed techniques and appliances for safely removing the patient.  If needed, radios the dispatcher for additional help or special rescue and/or utility services.  Provides simple rescue service if the ambulance has not been accompanied by a specialized unit.  After extrication, provides additional care in triaging the injured in accordance with standard emergency procedures.

• Complies with regulations on the handling of the deceased, notifies authorities, and arranges for protection of property and evidence at scene.

• Lifts stretcher, placing in ambulance and seeing that the patient and stretcher are secured, continues emergency medical care.

• From the knowledge of the condition of the patient and the extent of injuries and the relative locations and staffing of emergency hospital facilities, determines the most appropriate facility to which the patient will be transported, unless otherwise directed by medical direction.  Reports directly to the emergency department or communications center the nature and extent of injuries, the number being transport­ed, and the destination to assure prompt medical care on arrival.  Identifies assessment findings which may require communications with medical direction for advice and for notification that special professional services and assistance be immediately available upon arrival at the medical facility.

• Constantly assesses patient en route to emergency facility, administers additional care as indicated or directed by medical direction.

• Assists in lifting and carrying the patient out of the ambulance and into the receiving facility.

• Reports verbally and in writing their observation and emergency medical care of the patient at the emergency scene and in transit to the receiving facility staff for purposes of records and diagnostics.  Upon request, provides assistance to the receiving facility staff.

• After each call, restocks and replaces used linens, blankets and other supplies, cleans all equipment following appropriate disinfecting procedures, makes careful check of all equipment so that the ambulance is ready for the next run.  Maintains ambulance in efficient operating condition.  Ensures that the ambulance is clean and washed and kept in a neat orderly condition.  In accordance with local, state or federal regulations, decontaminates the interior of the vehicle after transport of patient with contagious infection or hazardous materials exposure. 

• Determines that vehicle is in proper mechanical condition by checking items required by service management.  Maintains familiarity with specialized equipment used by the service.

• Attends continuing education and refresher training programs as required by employers, medical direction, licensing or certifying agencies.

• Meets qualifications within the functional job analysis.

ALS duties

• Perform a more comprehensive history and physical examination of patients

• Application, interpretation, and monitoring of EKG using 3 leads

• Perform manual defibrillation and cardioversion

• Follow advanced life support protocols of Rhode Island

• Initiate peripheral venous access; calculate, administer, and monitor crystalloid solutions

• Administer a variety of enteral and parenteral medications

• Use a medication infusion pump

• Understand and apply principles of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)

• Communicate information to other health care providers

• Perform advanced airway maneuvers

COURSE DESCRIPTION - EMT PARAMEDIC

Curriculum Design

The Rhode Island Division of EMS publishes for instructor-coordinators Guidelines for Conducting EMS Courses.  This document outlines the minimum requirements and standards to conduct EMS training in Rhode Island.  Currently, Rhode Island does not have its own standard for paramedic training - instead, Program Directors are to follow the US Department of Transportation curriculum objectives for EMT-Paramedic training.  Instructor-coordinators are permitted to alter the course design, schedule, and content - including increasing the number of hours and content as the I/C deems fit so long as the course meets the minimum standards set forth.

The 911PROGRAMS EMT-Paramedic Curriculum

At 1000-1100 hours, this course provides all the content of the 1998 DOT paramedic curriculum plus A&P and other relevant training.  The course curriculum may differ from program to program to suit the needs of the student and provide a comprehensive educational experience.  Please refer to individual training program syllabuses for more detailed information.

Course hours and schedule

The Paramedic Course has 3 phases:

• The Didactic or Classroom phase which incorporates traditional lectures as well as lab stations for hands-on practice (Approximately 400-500 hours)

• The Clinical phase where students observe patient care and practice skills on real patients (under direct supervision) has 2 settings: Hospital Clinicals and Field Clinicals (Approximately 400 hours); Unlike most programs, our students are allowed to enter clinicals once the student has met the pre-requisites to enter that rotation; for example, as soon as the student has demonstrated proficiency in venous access, he/she may enter clinicals to acquire practice initiating IVs on live patients

• The Field Internship phase, which may range from one week (in a high-volume system) to 200 hours (in a suburban setting), will evaluate the interns' performance as a paramedic; in this phase, the intern will be expected to act as team leader and direct patient care in the pre-hospital setting (under the supervision of a paramedic preceptor).

Paramedic students generally attend class three times per week - usually two 4-hour evening classes and Saturdays.  There are roughly 25 weeks of classes but holidays that interrupt the course schedule mean that the course will take longer than 25 calendar weeks to complete.  For schedule, refer to the specific course you are interested in.

COURSE PRE-REQUISITES - EMT PARAMEDIC

Requirements for entry into an EMT-Paramedic course

• Applicants holding current EMT licensure is strongly preferred, however the Program may consider candidates with prior EMT training who do not currently hold a license to practice; contact the Program Director if you have questions about your eligibility

• Applicants must be able to read and write at the 11th grade level

• Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) is preferable but not required to take the course

• General math ability (add, subtract, multiply, divide)

• Applicants have to be able to perform the functions of an EMT as outlined in the Functional Position Description document prepared by the Rhode Island Division of EMS to take the course as well as all duties (i.e. ALS skills) of the course being taken

• Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to contact the program to discuss any necessary accommodations

• Applicants desiring admission to any 911PROGRAMS course of study must read and accept the terms and conditions (course policies) found in the online classroom

UPCOMING EMT PARAMEDIC COURSES

Course P6 Registering

• Begins: September 12, 2009

• Location: University of Rhode Island (Kingston)

• Schedule: Mondays/Wednesdays 6-10pm, Saturdays 8:30am-12:30pm

• Hours: Didactic 400, Clinical 400, Field 200; Total 1000

• Includes: Didactic fee, Lab fee, Clinical fees, 2 uniform shirts, free EMT-C certification, ET Intubation, ACLS, PALS

• Price: $7000 if paid in full, otherwise payments totaling $8000

• Questions? Call 401-789-5486

Course P5 Underway (students currently in clinical rotations)

Course P4 Underway (students currently in clinical rotations)