This four month course provides the minimum certification ...



Westlink Career Institute

Emergency Medical Technician-Basic

Fact Sheet

The Basic Emergency Medical Technician Program is sponsored by Westlink and Approved by the DC Department of Health Office of Health Emergency Preparedness Response Administration (HEPRA). The four month training program follows the 130 hour National DOT Standard Curriculum and provides the minimum training and certification to treat patients in an EMS setting. The EMT is a Basic Entry level provider to the EMS Field. Students must take and pass this course before going onto higher certifications/training such as EMT-Intermediate and or Paramedic. The class includes lectures and hands-on practice for field work. Upon completing the EMT Coursework, skill Practical and final written and Practical exams students are prepared and recommended for state and National Registry testing/certification.  Upon showing competency , students begin shift rotations at hospital emergency rooms and on ambulances.  Students work under the direction of hospital staff and experienced Paramedics. 

EMT Focus

EMT-Basic training is divided into three main categories.  The first and most important category focuses on the care of life-threatening or potentially life-threatening conditions.  Students will learn how to evaluate the scene and situation, ensure that the scene is safe, perform an initial assessment of the patient, obtain a history of the episode and a pertinent past medical history, identify life-threatening injuries or conditions, establish and maintain an open airway, provide adequate ventilation, manage conditions that prevent proper ventilation, provide high-flow supplemental oxygen, perform CPR, perform automated external defibrillation, control external bleeding, recognize and treat shock, care for patients in an acute life-threatening medical emergency, identify and rapidly prepare or "package" patients for transportation.

The second category covers conditions that are not life-threatening but are key components of emergency medical care or are necessary to prevent further harm before the patient is moved.  Students will learn to do the following: identify patients for whom spinal precautions should be taken and immobilize them properly, dress and bandage wounds, deliver a baby, splint injured extremities, cope with the psychological stresses on patients, families and fellow EMS colleagues and themselves.

The third category covers issues related to the ability to provide emergency care such as understanding roles and responsibilities, following protocols and orders, understanding ethical and medical-legal problems, emergency vehicle and defensive driving, dispatching and communication protocols, reporting and documentation and more.

*Specific Course Topics

*EMT Safety

*Moving and Handling patients

*Human Anatomy and Physiology

*Medical Legal Considerations

*Medical and Trauma Assessment

*Airway Management

*Cardiac Arrest Management with AED

*EMS Operations

EMT Facts

EMT’s are vital to any EMS System they can work for private or city 911 systems, some work in Hospital settings

Wok schedule various from 8-5 to 24 hours a day

There are four levels to EMS Training First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic which is the highest you can obtain.

You can use your EMT for public, private, commercial or Volunteer your EMS skills.

Prerequisites

*High School Diploma, GED or Equivalent

*A valid drivers license (helpful but not required)

*Felony free criminal history

*Substance Abuse Policy testament statement

*Hepatitis B vaccination, current TB test, proof of MMR

Admission Process:

Contact Westlink Office (202)-552-7385 (202)-449-7701(fax)

Complete Application Package

Email: thewestlinkci@

Books Utilized for Course:

Brady Basic EMT Book 10th Edition AHA 2005 Updated along with Workbook

EMS Dictionary

Internet Accessibility (local Library offers free usage)

Recommended Supplies:

Notebook with Loose Paper

Pens/Pencil

Stethoscope with Blood Pressure Cuff

Medical Liability Insurance $65.00

Program Cost: $1500.00 plus textbooks ($102.00) (Payment Plans available)

$25.00 Registration Fee ($300.00) Initial Payment

State DOH/ HEPRA EMT Testing Fee $45.00 National Registry $70.00 ()

Uniforms and Equipment such as Lab Jack, Name Tag, scrubs, Blood Pressure Cuff and stethoscope are costs bared by the student

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-10:30 P.M. If you’re coming to visit after 6pm you must call the office to have a Team Member Meet you in the Lobby to gain Access to the Floor (Lobby Security Number 202-393-1366)

Projected start dates are mid January and February 2009

Westlink Career Institute

1325 G St, NW, Suite 500

Washington DC 20005

(202) 552-7385 Office

(202) 449-7701 Fax

1. What is an EMT-Basic?

An EMT-Basic (B) is the designation given to one who successfully completes the newly revised 130 hour United States Department of Transportation's Emergency Medical Technician-Basic training program.

2. What is happening to the current EMT training program?

The EMT-Basic training program which was last revised in 1996 by the Department of Transportation is part of a four stage tier certification tree. Currently the there are new 2008 recommendations for the First Responder it will be called Emergency Responder, the current EMT-Intermediate Paramedic will be phased out and be called the EMT-Advanced. The EMT-Basic and EMT-Paramedic name and certification will go unchanged. The proposed transition will occur on or before December 2013

3. What's the difference between an EMT-A and an EMT-B?

Some states allow there EMT-advance to start IV, test blood sugar and other limited skills.

4. What’s some of the topics in the EMT-B curriculum?

The EMT curriculum emphasizes patient assessment, not diagnosis. Students will be trained and drilled to treat a condition based upon the signs that they observe and the symptoms which the patient describes. (For example, an EMT-B will administer oxygen to a patient who has difficulty breathing, regardless of whether the problem is caused by a myocardial infarction, emphysema, or other disease or illness).They administer/assist medications. Lectures include EMS Laws, Patient assessment, for the adult, child and pediatric patients, CPR Splinting, Management of shock, allergic reactions, heart attacks, ob-gyn, neonate, abdominal emergencies, and mass casualty

5. Can an EMT-B provide more extensive care to a patient?

In accordance with the scope and content of the EMT-B curriculum, students will be trained to assist patients in the administration of the patient's own prescribed medication. The EMT-B student will be presented with basic pharmacological information and training and be instructed to follow basic medical protocols, with on-line and off line medical direction when administering prescribed medication to a patient. The scope and content of the EMT-B curriculum does not reflect "more extensive" care, rather, it represents a new focus and a more realistic approach to the provision of prehospital basic life support care.

6. Am I required to become certified as an EMT-B in DC?

No you can take the National Registry Exam and take your card to any 50 states. Also if you do get a DC EMT card MD and Va will give you a card by means of reciprocity. That means you’re certified in one state and wish to practice in another.

7. Once I've completed my EMT-B course, do I receive an EMT-B card?

Upon successful completion of the EMT-B course and certification requirements, the EMT will receive a DC EMT certification card. You may choose to take the DC DOH EMT Certification exam or the National Registry of EMT exam. If you pass both exams you will receive certifications cards for both. At current only one certification is needed to obtain EMT Certification.

8. Do I need to earn continuing education credits/hours for the EMT-B course once I’m certified?

Yes. Your certification is good for two years in that time you must take an EMT-B refresher course and 24 hours of CME classes/lectures/labs seminars. Once you have done this you can recertify you EMT-Basic card.

9. I have taken the EMT Basic class where can I work?

Certified EMT work many places such as Fire Department’s, private ambulance companies, school athletic departments such as Emergency Rooms

10. I understand that the EMT-B curriculum doesn't contain any information about anatomy and physiology. I also heard that EMT-Bs aren't learning medical terminology. Is this true?

No! The curriculum does contain information on anatomy and physiology. The information is presented in a straight forward manner and introduces the student the basic principles of anatomy and physiology. With regard to medical terminology, it still represents a portion of the didactic information presented in the course. The textbooks still contain medical terminology and students are encouraged to learn as much medical terminology as they can. This will assist them as well as the patient when interacting with advanced life support and hospital personnel.

11. Why isn't CPR part of the EMT-B course?

To meet the requirements of this revised EMT-B curriculum, CPR was designated as a prerequisite. Basic life support is an essential component of any EMS educational experience and a professional level (American Red Cross or National Safety Council) or, health care provider (American Heart Association) CPR course must be successfully completed prior to entering an EMT-B training program.

12. Automated external defibrillation is now included in the newly revised curriculum.

It’s also included with CPR

13. Who can teach the EMT-Basic course and recertification educational program?

Qualified instructional staff may include: Physicians, Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants, Respiratory Therapists and must be overseen by a DC Certified EMT-Basic Instructors. It should be noted, that only EMT-Basic Instructors are recognized to teach the skills portion of the program. Other instructional staff will be selected based upon their expertise in the subject matter.

14. What happens if I miss a day of training since I am required to complete a documented amount?

Students are responsible for any missed work,skills, quizzes or exams. This means you may have to come an extra off day from class.

15. Ok I have finished my EMT Basic course can I enroll in the Paramedic Course.

Yes Students who have completed the Westlink EMT course are exempt from pre course testing for Paramedic. You must take the EMT-Intermediate then the EMT-Paramedic course. EMT students must show BLS skill and knowledge competency. This is done by riding on a BLS units utilizing your BLS skills. Typically we would like to see that you have run 100 calls as team leader. Good EMT’s make good paramedics.

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