EMT Basic

This Emergency Medical Technician Basic course is designed to train fire & rescue personnel and persons interested in pursuing a career in prehospital emergency care. Students will gain the knowledge and skills to provide basic emergency medical assistance to people in need.

The curriculum, developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, prepares students for the National certification examinations.

An EMT is trained to respond to emergency situations and provide efficient and immediate care to the ill and injured. They transport patients to an appropriate medical facility. The EMT possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide appropriate interventions at the scene and during transport. EMTs function as part of comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight, and function with basic interventions and equipment.

This extensive course combines reading, lecture, computer-based and on-line learning, significant study time, and practical labs; a minimum 10-15 hour per week time-commitment is to be expected. Skills taught include all areas of patient assessment (medical, cardiac, pediatric, and trauma), airway management, splinting, and appropriate interventions. This demanding course requires significant reading, computer skills, and participatory effort by the EMT candidate. Course is 184-plus hours of classroom training, clinical experience, and field experience. After successful completion, the candidate qualifies to challenge the national exam and licensure in Illinois.

Qualifications: Aptitudes required for EMT work are good physical stamina, endurance, and body conditions to handle significant lifting, stooping and walking. Students must balance items and patients in excess of a minimum of 125 pounds. To be certified as an EMT, candidates must be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED), at the time of class completion.

Students will complete 25 hours of clinical practice with at least 10 reported patient contacts outside of the scheduled class time.