Puckett EMS EMT / Paramedic Training

Training Format

Emergency Medical Technician - Basic

EMT-Basic training at Puckett EMS Training Center is presented in a part-time format (8 hours per week) to allow for completion of training in about three months. Students from across Georgia have attended this 118 hour program. This course adheres to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation EMT-Basic National Standard Curriculum.

Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate

Through performance of assessments and providing medical care, their goal is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury for emergency patients in the out-of-hospital setting. EMT-I training at Puckett EMS Training Center is presented in a part-time format (8 hours per week) to allow for completion of training in about six months. It is a 210 hour course. EMT-B is a prerequisite.

PARAMEDIC

The Paramedic is highest level of EMS certification. The course is 1080 hours and is conducted one day per week for 18 months. At least one Paramedic is required to be on an EMS unit in order to provide Advanced Life Support. EMT-B is a prerequisite.

Levels of EMS Certification

There are four levels of EMS training that are based on the U.S. DOT's national curricula and recognized by the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT). Credentials for any of these four levels is usually easier to obtain than any others when moving from state to state. This is especially true if you have taken the time to obtain NREMT certification as well as a certification from your state.

Many states have their own levels of EMS training. These state-specific levels often do not relate exactly to other states. For example, in New York there is an advanced level called EMT-Critical Care Technician, which is not a level identified in the DOT's national curricula. The process of issuing credentials based upon prior training in another state is referred to as reciprocity.

First Responder

The First Responder is an integral part of the EMS system. The term "first responder" has been applied to the first individual who arrives at the scene regardless of the individual's type of credential. It is the goal of the U.S. DOT's First Responder: National Standard Curriculum to provide students with the core knowledge, skills, and attitudes to function in the capacity of a first responder. The First Responder uses a limited amount of equipment to perform initial assessment and intervention and is trained to assist other EMS providers. This level of provider is not intended to be utilized as the minimum staffing for an ambulance. Enrichment programs and continuing education will help fulfill other specific needs for the First Responder training.

EMT-Basic

The EMT-Basic is an integral part of the EMS system. The EMT- Basic curriculum is a core curriculum of minimum required information to be presented within a 110-hour training program. It is recognized that there is additional specific education that will be required of EMT-Basics who operate in the field, such as ambulance driver training, heavy and light rescue training, basic extrication training, special needs, and so on.

It is also recognized that this information might differ from locality to locality, and that each training program, or system, should identify and provide special training requirements. This curriculum is intended to prepare a medically competent EMT-Basic to operate in the field. Enrichment programs and continuing education will help fulfill other specific needs for the EMT-Basic's education.

EMT-Intermediate

The EMT-Intermediate has fulfilled prescribed requirements by acredentialling agency to practice the art and science of out-of-hospital medicine in conjunction with medical direction. Through performance of assessments and providing medical care, the goal is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury for emergency patients in the out-of-hospital setting.

EMT-Intermediates possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes consistent with the expectations of the public and the profession. EMT- Intermediates recognize that they are an essential component of the continuum of care and serve as a link for emergency patients to acute care resources.

The primary roles and responsibilities of EMT-Intermediates are to maintain high quality, out-of-hospital emergency care. Ancillary roles of the EMT-Intermediate may include public education and health promotion programs as deemed appropriate by the community.

EMT-Intermediates are responsible and accountable medical direction, the public, and their peers. They recognize the importance of research, and they seek to take part in life-long professional development and peer evaluation, and assume an active role in professional and community organizations.

EMT-Paramedic

EMT-Paramedics or paramedics have fulfilled prescribed requirements by a credentialling agency to practice the art and science of out-of-hospital medicine in conjunction with medical direction. Through performance of assessments and providing medical care, the goal is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury. Paramedics primarily provide care to emergency patients in an out-of-hospital setting.

Paramedics possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes consistent with the expectations of the public and the profession. Paramedics recognize that they are an essential component of the continuum of care and serve as linkages among health resources.

Paramedics strive to maintain high quality, reasonable cost health care by delivering patients directly to appropriate facilities. As an advocate for patients, paramedics seek to be proactive in affecting long-term health care by working in conjunction with other provider agencies, networks, and organizations. The emerging roles and responsibilities of the Paramedic include public education, health promotion, and participation in injury and illness prevention programs. As the scope of service continues to expand, the Paramedic will function as a facilitator of access to care, as well as an initial treatment provider.

Paramedics are responsible and accountable to medical direction, the public, and their peers. Paramedics recognize the importance of research and actively participate in the design, development, evaluation, and publication of research. Paramedics seek to take part in life-learning professional development and peer evaluation, and assume an active role in professional community organizations.