By PR County Director of Emergency Medical Service Operations Adam Johnson
Powder River EMS is excited to announce the completion of multiple Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR initial and refresher courses since January. The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) classes have begun and advanced provider certification courses are coming soon.
Powder River EMS has also paired with Logan Health and Flathead Community College to ensure all EMS training is conducted through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Training has to be completed through an approved NREMT site. The Powder River Director of EMS Operations is working on securing Powder River as an approved state of Montana and NREMT training center.
Earlier this year the state of Montana and the Board of Medical Examiners, who approve all Emergency Care Provider (EPC) licenses in the state, adopted the national registry model for EMS training and licensing. For those looking for EMS licensure through the state will be required to learn the national standard of care and test through NREMT commonly referred to as Registry.
Previously the state of Montana offered an option to test for either a state license or national registry license. One was not dependent on the other. This is no longer the case and all students will have to complete written and practical NREMT approved tests. Understanding the updated state changes can give insight into the increased offerings to potential EMS students. Powder River EMS instructors will be offering additional approved state of Montana endorsements to EMS students and increasing the skills of providers in specific regards.
Community members should note that each EMS provider level is its own certification level with its own rules, regulations, and requirements. Powder River EMS instructors are required to teach the national standard for each provider level and have no authority to adjust the requirements set forth by the state of Montana or the national registry.
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification, licensing, and registration includes 48 hours of instructor led and online learning education and practical skills. EMRs are required to have 16 hours of continuing education and skills verification every year. Montana state EMRs can gain state level endorsements in blood glucose monitoring, pulse oximetry monitoring, and Naloxone (Narcan) medication administration.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, licensing, and registration includes 186 hours of instructor led and online education and practical skills plus 12 hours of clinical ride time. EMTs are required to have 40 hours of continuing education and skills verification every two years. Montana state EMTs can gain state level endorsements in intravenous (IV) and Intraosseous (IO) initiation, IV/IO maintenance, Airway, and Medication administration.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification, licensing, and registration includes 350 to 550 hours of instructor led and online education and practical skills plus 96 hours to 150 hours of clinical time ranging from the emergency and operating rooms to ambulance ride times. AEMTs are also required to have 50 hours of continuing education and skills verification every two years.
Paramedic certification, licensing, and registration includes 1,200 to 1,800 hours of instructor led education and practical skills plus 250 hours to 300 hours of clinical time ranging from emergency and operating rooms, intensive care unit (ICU), labor and delivery (L&D), pediatric ICU (PICU), burn and trauma wards, and ambulance ride times. Paramedics also are required to have 60 hours of continuing education and skills verification every two years. Paramedics are skilled and approved to perform advanced life-saving medical procedures some generally seen only by trained medical doctors. These procedures conform to the national standard of care and have been evaluated by agency medical directors which have given approval for paramedics to perform.
Specialized certifications such as Flight Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic, Community Care Paramedic, Advanced Hazmat Life Support Paramedic, Tox Medic, etc. are all lateral certifications with extra educational and clinical time to obtain these certifications and they have their own continuing education hours to maintain certification.
The above trainings are example offerings for community members and basic program educational requirements. Completion of the EMR course ensures community members seeking licensure have a solid knowledge foundation and practical skill sets before advancing to the next level of care. The emergency medical services field is one of consistent education and development for the duration of a providers certification span. For perspective the average career span of a standard paramedic is 5 years before retirement from the field.
Powder River EMS is hopeful with the latest advancements, successful partnerships, and increased support from the medical community at the state, national, and international levels more community members will be confident in the providers skills and abilities as well as become eager to engage with the trainings and certifications offered.
Benjamin Franklin had two amazing quotes for EMS to live by: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 1736 and “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” 1790. Powder River County is situating itself to show that a well-prepared community can respond to any situation appropriately with confidence and success.
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