VEMSA 68W —> AEMT Bridge Course Details

This course is of a proficiency-based design constructed to be most suitable for military personnel with a MOS 68W Combat Medic Specialist who are current NREMTs, have military field experience and are endorsed by their chain of command in their respective units. The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) course prepares the student to provide prehospital assessment and care for patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions and traumatic injuries. Areas of study include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical emergencies, traumatic injuries, special considerations for working in the prehospital setting, and providing patient transportation.

This is an accelerated educational platform designed for current 68W Combat Medic personnel. Enrolled students will obtain digitals materials and access to the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) one month prior to commencement of the program. Students are expected to have read the entire textbook prior to the first class. A baseline cognitive and psychomotor assessment on EMT core knowledge will take place prior to the first class. Teaching-learning methods in this course build upon cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains which may include, but are not limited to; assigned readings, presentations, group discussion, critical thinking exercises, labs, and class activities. Evaluation tools include quizzes, written examinations, and distributive assignments.

Each class will encompass cognitive review, pathophysiology, and competency based psychomotor activities as a proficiency assessment tool. As available, a cadaver lab will additionally be incorporated into the instructional methodology. The art of critical thinking will be reinforced throughout the program. By the conclusion of the program will have adequately satisfied all state and NREMT eligibility requirements for cognitive and psychomotor testing.

At the completion of this course the student shall be able to:

• Describe the role of EMS in the health care system.

• Demonstrate the professional attributes expected of AEMTs.

• Perform the roles and responsibilities of an AEMT regarding personal safety and wellness, as well as the safety of others.

• Perform the duties of an AEMT with regard for medical-legal and ethical issues, including functioning under medical direction and within the scope of practice.

• Apply principles of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, life span development, and therapeutic communications to the assessment and management of patients.

• Identify the need for and perform immediately lifesaving interventions to manage a patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation including the use of capnography.

• Assess and manage patients of all ages with a variety of complaints, medical conditions, and traumatic injuries.

• Apply principles of emergency medical services operations, including considerations in ambulance and air medical transportation, multiple-casualty incidents, gaining access to and extricating patients, hazardous materials incidents, and responding to situations involving weapons of mass destruction.

• Initiate intravenous and intraosseous access and administer select medications through approved methodology.

• Insert a supraglottic airway for management of patients in cardiopulmonary failure.

• Understand the basic principles of electrocardiography and the acquisition of a 12 lead EKG.

Each student may have the following equipment for psychomotor activities:

• Stethoscope

• Penlight

• Trauma scissors

• EMS notepad

Formative and summative skill activities will increase in depth and complexity throughout the program. A tracking system will be utilized to record and archive all student activities.

The program requires that students complete the following clinical rotation(s) prior to completion of the class; a minimum of (36) hours of observational ride-a-long time with an ambulance service licensed at the AEMT or Paramedic level. The VEMSA high-fidelity simulation lab may additionally be utilized to satisfy select objectives.

• Assessments: (27) includes adult complaints of altered mental status, trauma, dyspnea, chest pain, and pediatric dyspnea

• Skills: (5) manual ventilations of an unresponsive patient, (20) successful intravenous starts

• Medication Administrations: (12) includes oral, SC, SL, IM, IV, and nebulized rote of administration Item description

Successful completion of this course requires adherence to course policies, completing all course assignments, maintaining a cumulative GPA of 75%, and successfully demonstrating at a summative level all required skills. In addition, all students will be required to have a minimum of five documented patient contacts.

Although a minimum GPA is 75%, it is strongly encouraged that students strive for his/her maximum potential on all exams.  Strong preparation enhances the likelihood of successfully passing the NREMT cognitive exam.

• Quizzes – 20%

• Assignments – 10%

• Midterm – 25%

• Scenarios – 15%

• Final – 30%

Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the professional expectations for AEMT’s at all times. Students are reminded that they are representatives of Vermont EMS as well as the agencies they serve and the Vermont EMS Academy. Professional conduct is essential to a successful course experience and rewarding EMS career.

Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated and is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program and other administrative action. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Cheating in any form

• Falsification or forgery of academic documents, applications, clinical evaluations, lab evaluations, etc.

• Plagiarism (including copying and pasting of electronic text into assigned work)

Prompt arrival is expected at all class activities. It is the student’s responsibility to sign all attendance rosters. Student attendance is required at all didactic, psychomotor, and exam activities. Students may be terminated from the course for excessive absences of any kind. Excused absences, when requested ahead of time, may be granted by the course instructor/coordinator. If more than two absences occur for any reason, the status of the student will be discussed with the Instructor Coordinator. If a student misses any class, they are responsible for any missed quizzes, examinations, and material covered in that class session.

• Students with a non-passing grade on quizzes or a mid-term exam will be allowed (1) retest opportunity. The retest must occur within (1) week of the closing date of the scheduled activity. Ten (10) points will automatically be deducted from whatever score is obtained on the retest and the resulting score will be the recorded exam score in the gradebook. 

• Students who miss the mid-term exam, without a valid excuse, will be given a zero and must then follow the policy for a non-passing exam score. 

• All assignments must be completed prior to the published due date unless otherwise noted.

• Students shall be appropriately and neatly attired so as not to distract from the learning process. Students should wear comfortable slacks or pants, shirts or T-shirts, and boots, shoes or sneakers. 

• For the safety of the student and others, students may not wear shorts, tank tops, half shirts, sleeveless shirts, halter-tops, tube tops, skirts, open toe/heel shoes or sandals. 

• Students should dress with safety in mind, as training sessions will require the use of various equipment and training aids which simulate the austere nature of the EMS environment.

• Staff members accept the responsibility for reasonable interpretation of this policy and advising of the student in its regard. 

• Students arriving wearing inappropriate attire may not be able to participate in the training evolutions, for the safety of the student.

• On practical lab days the students will wear appropriate outerwear/protective clothing for the scheduled activity.

VEMSA faculty and staff are here to ensure you have the knowledge and skills necessary to take and pass the National Registry Exam, as well as to be prepared to work in the field. If during the course of the class, you have any questions or concerns, immediately reach out to the class instructor. Don’t let concerns fester, they will only be harder to resolve later on. If they aren't able to resolve the issue satisfactorily, next reach out to the class Instructor Coordinator. As a last resort, after taking these steps, you can reach out to the Program Manager who has the final say on all disputed administrative issues.