EMT Part I

Course Number:
EMS 105
Transcript Title:
EMT Part I
Created:
Aug 10, 2022
Updated:
Dec 13, 2022
Total Credits:
6
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture / Lab Hours:
40
Lab Hours:
30
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

IRW 115 or WR 115 or equivalent placement; placement into MTH 65; current HCP CPR card

Course Description

Introduces the role of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at the novice level. Develops the necessary understanding of human anatomy and physiology, as well as knowledge of relevant medical terminology. Provides training in the identification and use of EMT equipment, the assessment of patient status and development of a patient plan, the use of appropriate interventions, and professional and interpersonal communication in the prehospital setting. Explores the use of evidence-based practices in the EMT field, and provides an introduction to the legal and ethical issues that may be encountered by the novice EMT. This is Part 1 of the 2-part Oregon EMT series. Course sequence requires a mandatory orientation, and passing a criminal background check and drug screen. Prerequisites: IRW 115 or WR 115 or equivalent placement; placement into MTH 65; current HCP CPR card. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the course will:

  1. Apply knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology of the human body and medical terminology as it relates to patient assessment in pre-hospital emergency situations.
  2. Identify and use equipment needed to assess and care for the sick or injured patient at the novice EMT level
  3. Assess patient status and analyze information in order to formulate a patient treatment plan at the novice EMT level.
  4. Perform appropriate interventions at a novice EMT level.
  5. Have a basic understanding of EMS communications systems and interpersonal communication as they relate to the prehospital setting.
  6. Have an understanding of the legal requirements and obligations of an EMT.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

Because the role of an EMT often places the person in life and death circumstances, the assessment and grading of the students in this 2-class sequence will be held to the highest levels. Students must maintain an average of 70 or above on ALL written tests and prove mastery of ALL skill stations.

Students will be expected to complete assigned portions of the workbook and have it reviewed by the instructor on a regular basis. It is the responsibility of the student to keep up with missed assignments and tests.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Apply knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology of the human body and medical terminology as it relates to patient assessment in pre-hospital emergency situations.
  • The components of medical terminology
    • Abbreviations and acronyms
    • Anatomic terms
      • Directional and positional terms
  • Anatomy & Physiology
    • Locating body organs and structures
    • Body systems
      • Musculoskeletal
      • Respiratory
      • Cardiovascular
      • Nervous
      • Digestive
      • Integumentary
      • Endocrine
      • Renal
      • Reproductive
Outcome #2: Identify and use equipment needed to assess and care for the sick or injured patient at the novice EMT level
  • Lifting and moving patients
    • Choosing a carrying device
    • Body mechanics
    • Airway adjuncts
      • OPA
      • NPA
    • Oxygen delivery
      • Nasal cannula
      • NRB Mask
      • BVM
  • Suctioning
  • AED
  • Vital signs and monitoring devices
    • Sphygmomanometer
    • Stethoscope
    • Pulse oximetry
    • CBG monitoring
Outcome #3: Assess patient status and analyze scene information in order to formulate a patient treatment plan at the novice EMT level.
  • Scene size up
    • Scene safety
    • Nature of the call
  • Primary Assessment
    • Forming a general impression
    • The chief complaint
    • Mental status assessment
    • Assessment of the ABC’s
    • Determining patient priority
  • Secondary Assessment
    • Techniques of assessment
    • Specific examinations of body systems
  • Assessment of the responsive patient
  • Assessment of the unresponsive patient
  • History gathering
  • Critical thinking and decision making
    • How a clinician reaches a diagnosis
  • Reassessment
Outcome #4: Perform appropriate interventions at a novice EMT level.
  • Pharmacological interventions
    • Oxygen
    • Aspiring
    • Albuterol
    • Oral Glucose
    • Narcan
    • Eip 1:1000
  • Airway management
  • CPR / AED
Outcome #5: Provide safe and orderly transportation and appropriate transfer of patient care to hospital staff at the novice EMT level.
  • Communication Systems
    • Radio communication
    • Radio reports
  • Communication types
    • Interpersonal communication
    • Therapeutic communication
  • Prehospital care report
    • Functions of the PCR
    • Elements of the PCR
    • Types of documentation
    • Special documentation issues
      • POLST
Outcome #6: Utilize evidence-based practice in the care of the pre-hospital patient at the novice EMT level.
  • Understanding legal issues as related to EMS
  • Scope of practice
  • Consent and refusal
  • POLST, DNR and Power of Attorney
  • Negligence
  • Duty to act
  • Good Samaritan law
  • Confidentiality
  • Crime scenes
  • Mandatory reporting requirements

Suggested Texts and Materials

Suggested Texts/Materials:

  • Emergency Care, 13th edition, by Limmer et al, ISBN:  9780134024554
  • Workbook for Emergency Care, 13th edition, by Elling & Bergeron, ISBN: 9780134010731

Department Notes

Students must attend a mandatory orientation for information on personal and medical requirements for the course sequence. Students who wish to register after the mandatory orientation must contact the instructor for permission. Entire course sequence (EMS 105 and EMS 106) is offered once per year.

Note: only the CPR for HCP card is a pre-requisite for this course. Other clinical requirements as listed in the OHA rules must be met prior to any participation in a clinical setting during EMS 106. Clinical facilities must have time to process students prior to attendance in the clinical setting; therefore, students must complete these requirements prior to the start of EMS 106.

For a complete listing of administrative standards for health profession student clinical training, including required immunizations, TB screening, current AHA CPR for HCP card, and ability to pass a background & sex offender check and drug screening, see http://www.oregon.gov/oha/OHPR/Pages/sct.aspx

Cost for the background check and drug screen is collected with course fees.

National Registry EMT https://www.nremt.org/

National Registry EMT and Oregon EMT testing: 

On completion of the entire EMS sequence (EMS 105 & EMS 106), students are eligible to apply for licensing testing. Applicants should be aware that to be eligible to take the NR-EMT exam, they must be 18 years old. In addition, the following questions are asked on the National Registry EMT and/or the Oregon EMT Application:

  1. Do you or have you had within the past 10 years, any physical or mental condition that impairs, could impair, or has impaired your ability to perform the duties of an EMT? If you answer yes, explain whether your condition is controlled by medication or other treatment and how your condition treated or untreated, affects your ability to perform the duties of an EMT.
  2. Do you or have you used in the last 10 years, any drug or chemical substance for other than legitimate medical purposes that impairs or has impaired your ability to perform the duties of an EMT?
  3. Have you been counseled about, diagnosed with, or treated for, a dependency on alcohol or drugs within the last 10 years?
  4. Have you ever been arrested, charged with, or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony? (Minor traffic violations need not be reported.)
  5. Has an employer or supervising physician taken disciplinary action against you related to your duties as an EMT? (Discipline includes suspension, letter of reprimand, resignation in lieu of termination, a limitation or restriction of scope of practice or dismissal for cause.)
  6. Have you been named in a lawsuit alleging medical malpractice or misconduct related to providing medical care?
  7. Have you ever been disciplined, denied or revoked by the National Registry of EMTs or any health care certifying/licensing agency?
  8. Have you ever surrendered or resigned a health care license or certificate?
  9. Have you lived, worked, or attended school outside of Oregon for 60 or more consecutive days in the last 5 years?