EMT Academy

Equip students with all the education needed to be a high-performing EMT in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains and a desirable candidate for employment as an Emergency Medical Technician.

Description:

According to the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), the following is the description of the Emergency Medical Technician:

• The primary focus of the Emergency Medical Technician is to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Emergency Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Emergency Medical Technician is a link from the scene to the emergency health care system.

Life Changes During the Academy:

During this academy, students are highly encouraged not to make any other large life changes (i.e. get married, get divorced, move residences, change jobs, etc.). Additionally, in order to have enough time to prepare for and complete all requirements of the academy, a maximum work load of 36 hours per week is recommended. If the student’s overall score is less than 80%, the recommended work load is reduced to 24 hours and further reduced to 12 hours if the overall score is less than 70%.

Purpose:

Provide specialty core and support courses to ensure the achievement of program goals and learning domains and to meet or exceed the content and competency demands of the latest edition of the NHTSA National Standard Curriculum.

Curriculum:

The EMT program will use the National EMS Education Standards.

Specifically, the current edition curriculum and textbooks from AAOS (published by Jones and Bartlett) will be utilized for EMT courses.

The current edition of the textbook used is “Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured - 12th edition” with “Navigate 2 Essentials Package."

ISBN: 9781284227222

Students must complete the following before completing the first day of class:

• Refer to Sub-Section 2-600-66 - Patient Protection and Student Vaccinations for vaccination requirements to attend class and have patient contact.
• Have regular access to a personal computer with reliable internet access and some type of word processing software.
• Be at least 18 years old before scheduled clinical time.
• Complete application process (including application fee, interview, entrance exam, and acceptance into the program).
• Ability to obtain Missouri Class E Driver License.
• Completion of student ID process at CMH HR (certification of insurance application, HIPAA video, and criminal background check).
  • Must not have a criminal background of felonies or drug-related convictions.
  • Must have the ability to pass a drug screen.
• Ability to meet functional requirements of EMT job responsibilities.

CMH EMS Department does not discriminate against any individual with disabilities. However, there are certain technical standards, essential functions, and physical demands which are required of the EMT. The physical requirements are listed below and the student must be able to perform these requirements as well as have satisfactory physical health. NOTE: Additional requirements are often required by employers to those listed below.

Students must be able to achieve all clinical objectives, and below items in the list of functional abilities, which are an inherent part of the clinical objectives. Students returning to school following an illness or injury must submit a letter from his or her doctor indicating any restrictions. Situations with a student placed on restrictions from a doctor will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Determination will then be made after evaluation of the restriction and time frame indicated by the doctor regarding the student’s ability to meet all clinical objectives and remain in the academy.

• Gross motor skills: Move within confined spaces, sit and maintain balance, stand and maintain balance, reach above shoulders (i.e. hang an IV bag), and reach below waist (i.e. plug an electrical plug into an outlet).
• Fine motor skills: Pick up objects with hands, grasp small objects with hands, write with pen or pencil, type on a computer keyboard, pinch and pick or otherwise work with fingers (i.e. manipulate a syringe), twist (i.e. turn knob), squeeze with fingers (i.e. eye dropper), and able to safely operate a motor vehicle (i.e. an ambulance).
• Physical endurance: Stand (i.e. at patient side during a procedure), sustain repetitive movements (i.e. CPR compressions), and maintain physical tolerance (i.e. assist a patient walking).
• Physical strength: Push and pull 50 pounds (i.e. position patients), support 50 pounds of weight (i.e. ambulate a patient), lift 50 pounds (i.e. pick up a child), move 50 pound objects (i.e. transfer a patient), defend against combative patient, carry equipment and supplies, use upper body strength (i.e. physically restrain a patient), and squeeze with hands (i.e. operate a fire extinguisher).
• Mobility: Twist, bend, stoop, squat, move quickly (i.e. in response to an emergency), climb (i.e. ladders), and walk.
• Hearing: Hear normal speaking levels (i.e. person-to-person report), hear faint voices, hear faint body sounds (i.e. blood pressure), hear in situations when not able to see lips, hear auditory alarms.
• Visual: See objects at arms-length (i.e. computer screen), see objects around 20 feet away (i.e. patient in a room), see objects more than 20 feet away (i.e. obstacles on the roadway), use depth perception, use peripheral vision, distinguish color (i.e. color codes on equipment), distinguish color intensity (i.e. skin color).
• Tactile: Feel vibrations (i.e. palpate pulse), detect temperature (i.e. skin), feel differences in surface characteristics (i.e. skin turgor), feel differences in sizes and shapes (i.e. palpate vein), and detect environmental temperature (i.e. check for drafts).
• Smell: Detect odors from patient (i.e. alcohol breath), detect smoke, and detect gases or noxious smells.
• Reading: Read and understand written documents (i.e. protocols).
• Arithmetic competence: Read and understand columns of writing (i.e. charts), read digital displays, read graphics (i.e. EKG), calibrate equipment, convert numbers to and from metric system, tell time, measure time (i.e. count duration of contractions), count rates (i.e. breaths per minute), use measuring tools (i.e. thermometer), read measurement marks (i.e. scales), add/subtract/multiply/divide whole numbers, compute fractions (i.e. medication dosages), use a calculator, and write numbers.
• Emotional stability: Establish therapeutic boundaries, provide patients with emotional support, adapt to changing environments and stress, deal with the unexpected (i.e. patient crisis), focus attention on task, monitor own emotions, perform multiple responsibilities concurrently, and handle strong emotions (i.e. grief).
• Analytical thinking: Transfer knowledge from one situation to another, process information, evaluate outcomes, problem solve, prioritize tasks, use long-term memory, and use short-term memory.
• Critical thinking: Identify cause and effect relationships, plan and control activities for others, synthesize knowledge and skills, and sequence information.
• Interpersonal skills: Negotiate interpersonal conflict, respect differences in patients and co-workers, and establish rapport with patients and co-workers.
• Communication skills: Teach (i.e. patient education), explain procedures, give oral reports, interact with others, communicate on the telephone, communicate on a radio, influence people, direct activities of others, convey information through writing.

Tuition of $750 includes textbooks, online access codes, polo shirts (2). A non-refundable application fee of $50 is due at time of application. Fees and tuition can be paid by check, credit card, or CMH employee payroll deduction.

A payment schedule it available. A tuition payment of $250 is due by the first day of class, with $250 then due by the Mid-Term Test day, and the third payment of $250 due by the Final Test day. These exams cannot be taken without payments being current.

Month	Amount Due
First Day of Class	$250
Mid-Term Test Day	$250
Final Test Day	$250

Each year, each of the following individuals can sponsor one (1) scholarship to attend the EMT Academy. From those sponsorships, a maximum of two (2) scholarships will be awarded annually.

• CMH PHS Director.
• CMH PHS Medical Director.
• CMH PHS Clinical Chief.
• CMH PHS Operations Chief.
• Each CMH PHS Manager.
• Each CMH PHS Crew Leader.

An official recommendation must be received by the PHS Clinical Chief at the time of application into the Academy. All application and entrance requirements must be met by deadlines provided; however, the application fee and tuition fees will be waived.

Award selection criteria is based on a point system. The two (2) student applicants with the highest points will be awarded scholarships.

 

CMH EMS Education Department will review completed student applications. Upon meeting minimum admission standards, or higher, qualified applicants will be offered a seat in the EMT Academy in the following priority:

• CMH employee.
• First responder agency within CMH’s seven-county service area.
• Highest entrance exam score (if applicable).

In the event of more applicants than available seats, an entrance exam is used to select and admit prospective EMT students with the best chances of success in the EMT Academy. It is also used as a diagnostic tool to assess the incoming students’ strengths and weaknesses.

Credit for experiential learning, advanced placement, or transfer of credits from another institution will not be offered or provided with the exception of minor certificates. Minor certificates that have previously been completed may be used in lieu of attending those specific classes again. Case-by-case approval must be attained and certificates provided prior to the class in question. Additionally, if the course has a post-test, you must repeat the post-test with the rest of the class and that test score will be used. Examples include, but not limited to:

• AHA courses,
• NAEMT courses,
• NIMS courses,
• NIHSS course,
• Etc.

The class will meet two weekday nights from 6 pm to 10 pm at CMH EMS Headquarters Classrooms located at 1525 N Oakland Ave, Bolivar, MO. The selection of which weekdays will be determined by the lead instructor based on instructor and student availability. In the event of too many students for one session and additional instructors are available, two concurrent courses may be held on different weeknights. Clinical activity (described below) is in addition to the classroom days described here. Coursework, classroom activities, and in-class testing will focus on personal safety, teamwork, and exceptional, compassionate patient care. Extensive use of simulation and scenario education will be included.

Generic Weekly Schedule:

	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
Morning		Paramedic CMH PHS EMT Internship	CMH PHS EMT Internship	CMH PHS EMT Internship	Paramedic CMH PHS EMT Internship	Community Paramedic CMH PHS EMT Internship
Afternoon		Paramedic CMH PHS EMT Internship	CMH PHS EMT Internship	CMH PHS EMT Internship	Paramedic CMH PHS EMT Internship	Community Paramedic CMH PHS EMT Internship
Evening		Emergency Medical Technician			Emergency Medical Technician

To remain in and progress through the EMT Academy, the student must:

• Remain in compliance with policies and procedures outlined in this administration manual, AND
• Submit to annual infectious disease immunizations (i.e. influenza and COVID) as required by CMS, CMH, CDC, and local public health.

Students are responsible to constantly monitor his or her own learning process. Current standing and grades are available upon request. Every effort will be made to email grade records at the completion of each chapter.

Students are strongly encouraged to request appropriate faculty guidance and assistance with any curriculum material or any clinical objectives he or she is having difficulty mastering.

The overall Academy score is calculated using the following calculation:

• Exams (mid-term and final): 50% of grade
• Tests (each chapter): 50% of grade

The following are PASS/FAIL. Obtaining a "Fail" on any of them will result in a zero percent (0%) overall in the EMT Academy.

• Affective evaluations,
• Clinical rotations,
• Simulations, AND
• Psychomotor exam

• Prepared and eligible to test for Missouri Licensed Emergency Medical Technician
• Prepared and eligible to test for Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician
• American Heart Association (AHA) - Basic Life Support (BLS)

EMSTesting website through Platinum Education will be used for tests and exams.

Simplified test item analysis:

• Overall KR20 score less than 0.7: The entire test will be reviewed.
• Point Biserial less than 0: That test question will be reviewed.
• PVal less than 0.2: That test question will be reviewed.

Full test item analysis explaination:

• Overall test reliability will be ensured through reviewing each test’s KR20 score (ranges from 0.0 to 1.0). Scores below 0.7 indicate the test did not do a good job of discriminating between high and low performing students, the test had too many interruptions, material was not adequately covered, or cheating might have occurred. Tests with KR20 less than 0.7 may be completely thrown out, retaken, partially modified, or other action deemed appropriate by the lead instructor
• Test item reliability will be ensured through reviewing each question’s class discrimination score (ranges from -1.0 to 1.0). Scores below zero indicate the question did not do a good job of discriminating between high and low performing students. Questions may be completely thrown out, modified, or other action deemed appropriate by the lead instructor.
• Test item validity will be ensured through reviewing the percent of the class that answered the question correctly. Pval ranges from 0.0 to 1.0 indicating the percent of the students that answered correctly. Scores below 0.2 will be reviewed to ensure the material was adequately covered and the test question is written and keyed correctly. Questions may be completely thown out, modified, or other action deemed appropriate by the lead instructor.
• Additionally, students may request test item review if they feel it was incorrect or clarifying information is requested.

To be eligible for state and national testing, the student must meet the following requirements:

• Eligibility to take the NREMT psychomotor exam will be granted upon successful completion of the following no earlier than the end your first semester:
  • Achieve a cumulative score of no less than 80%,
  • Attain a score of at least 80% on at least 80% of all assignments, chapter quizzes, and unit tests,
  • Completion of all assigned tests and exams, AND
  • A “pass” certification on the final psychomotor evaluation.
• Eligibility to take the NREMT computer-based-test will be granted upon successful completion of the following:
  • Successfully complete all clinical minimum hour, patient contact, and skill requirements

Exams are designed to assess your knowledge and critical thinking ability. Questions are authored by instructors across the country and reviewed by subject matter experts and a board certified Emergency Physician. After you finish the exam, we hope you will come away with a good understanding of topics that you mastered along with ones that need improvement.

The exams are intended to prepare you for your national or state certification exam. In addition to studying the textbook, we recommend familiarizing yourself with current American Heart Association guidelines

Exam items generally include the following question styles. Understanding how to interpret these questions will help you succeed:

What should you do?

These questions ask you to apply knowledge to treat a patient as you would in the field. You should select the best treatment option available. If you feel there are multiple “correct” answers then pick the BEST option by imagining that there is a “next” or “first” at the end. E.g. “What should you do next ?” or “What should you do first?"

What should you suspect?

These questions ask you to diagnose patients by suspecting underlying comorbidities or pathophysiologies that are described in the question. If more than one answer seems “correct,” think of the condition that is the most life-threatening. You should suspect the most lethal diagnosis given the signs and symptoms.

What is the most likely cause?

These questions are asking you to think about the most probable cause or condition based on the signs and symptoms. This type of question asks about what is most likely, NOT the most lethal.

Test-taking tips:

• Read the question completely. Before looking at the possible answers imagine what you should do to take care of the patient.
• Read all possible answers completely and consider the BEST answer.
• During the exam, if your instructor allows, we encourage you to write down (on a blank piece of paper) words or topics you want to review afterwards.
• All questions are randomized, so don’t get discouraged if you get difficult ones right away.

We wish you the best on this exam, on your certification exam, and ultimately in your new career as an EMS professional!

Clinical experience is defined as a planned and scheduled educational student experience with live patient contact activities in settings, such as hospitals, clinics, free-standing emergency centers, and may include field experience.

Field experience is defined as planned and scheduled educational student time spent on an EMS unit, which may include observation and skill development, but which does not include team leading and does not contribute to the CoAEMSP definition of field internship.

Eligibility:

To be eligible to attend clinical rotations, the student must maintain passing status (70% overall grade) in the EMT Academy.

Staff Substitutions:

At no time may an EMT student be substituted for EMT staff. If the EMT student is also an employee of the clinical site:

• When functioning as an EMT student:
  • Must wear student uniform.
  • Must wear and have visible above the waist the student ID.
  • Must not perform normal work duties that are outside the scope of the clinical objectives.
• When functioning as staff:
  • Must not wear student uniform.
  • Must not wear or have visible the student ID.
  • Must not perform clinical student activities outside the scope of employed job description.

General Requirements:

Students are required to participate and be eligible to participate at all clinical sites without exception. Students must also comply with the facilities’ policies and procedures. CMH is not obligated to locate an additional clinical site to accommodate a student for any reason.

Courses with a clinical component require mastery of the clinical objectives in order to successfully complete the course. The clinical component of any course is an integral portion of that course. Clinical experiences are graded on a pass/fail basis. If a student fails in clinical, he or she will fail the course. Students will be sent home from the clinical setting for unsafe or unprofessional behavior and may be grounds from dismissal from the course.

Scope:

If, at any time during a clinical rotation, a student is asked to perform outside his/her scope of training, that student shall immediately tell the requestor that they are not trained for that procedure and are not allowed to do it.

Identification:

All students will be required to wear a CMH-issued ID badge during all classroom, skills, and clinical rotations. The name badge shall be returned upon course completion (or having dropped the course). Students will assume replacement cost if their name badge is lost, mutilated, or destroyed. Replacement cost will be $10 each.

Laboratory Requirements:

Required basic laboratory competencies are listed below. These requirements must be completed prior to any live patient encounters. At least one (1) evaluation must be completed on you by an instructor or preceptor while you complete the following skills:

• 12-lead ECG placement (NREMT skill).
• Automated external defibrillator (AHA skill)
• CPR for adults, children, and infants with both one- and two-rescuer (AHA skill)
• Glucometer (NREMT skill)
• Hemorrhage control (NREMT skill)
• Intranasal medication administration (NREMT skill)
• Joint splinting (NREMT skill)
• Long bone splinting (NREMT skill)
• Relief of choking in infants and children (AHA skill)
• Rescue breathing for adults and children with bag-mask (AHA skill)
• Spinal immobilization - Adult seated patient (NREMT skill)
• Spinal immobilization - Adult supine patient (NREMT skill)
• Traction splinting (NREMT skill)

Clinical Requirments:

Minimum hour requirements are listed below:

• Minimum of 24 hours in an Emergency Room AND
• Minimum of 48 hours on an Ambulance.

Specific clinical patient assessment requirements to be completed by the end of all clinical hours are listed below. These requirements can be worked on throughout all clinical sites.

• Document an assessment on six (6) medical patients AND
• Document an assessment on six (6) trauma patients.

All requirements must be completed by the end of your second trimester (usually the end of April or eight months after the start of the Academy).

Clinical Double-Dipping Policy:

In the event, you have a patient that has both medical and trauma complaints, this one patient can be counted as two separate patients if you perform a complete medical assessment and a complete trauma assessment.

However, if you encounter the same patient more than once in the same shift, the only way you can count multiple assessments is if the patient returns for a second visit to the ER or calls 911 a second time while riding on the ambulance.

Laboratory and Clinical Documentation Software:

Platinum Planner will be used to document and track skills, labs, scenarios, simulations, and clinical contacts. It is the student’s responsibility to complete documentation.

When documenting live patient contacts and skills in Platinum Planner, the first line in the narrative must contain a medical record number trackable to the patient. This could be a hospital number off a face sheet or an EMS run number. Spot checks will be done to ensure accurate documentation.

All documentation in Platinum Planner for lab, scenarios, clinicals, field experience, and field internship MUST be submitted within 48 hours of completing the activity. If documentation is submitted late, it will be rejected and will not count.

Platinum Planner Signup Directions:

1. Go to http://platinumed.com and click on “Create student account."
2. Complete the form. A course code will be given to you by your instructor.
3. Check your email and activate your account following the directions in the email.

Five (5) college credit hours - 72 contact hours.

This course provides an opportunity for students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations and patients. Included in this course are all the components of the EMT curriculum as applied to live patient care.

If the minimum number of patient contacts listed in Sub-Section 3.350.72 - EMT Academy Clinical Requirements are not completed by the end of the minimum hours required, additional hours must be scheduled to meet the contact requirements.

All hour and patient contact requirements are due by the end of your second trimester (which is typically eight (8) months after the start of the course - usually April 30th is the deadline).

Topic Outline:

Location Type (click for details)	Prerequisites	Scope	Minimum Hours
Emergency Room	Successful completion of AHA BLS CPR and Completion of Patient Assessment lecture and test	The purpose of EMT student rotation in the emergency room is to improve medical and trauma patient assessments and have a basic understanding of emergency room operations. EMT students are to shadow ER techs and act as their extensions.	24
Ambulance	Successful completion of all emergency room clinical hours	The purpose of EMT student rotation on an ambulance is to have an intermediate understanding of ambulance operations and perform basic patient assessments and treatments. These students should be exposed to the basics of scene management. EMT students are to shadow ambulance EMTs and act as their extensions.	48