Emergency Medical Technician

What is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Emergency Medical Technicians (NQEMT) are trained emergency care practitioners. The education and training standard at EMT level prepares the course participants for managing patient care in inter‐facility and pre‐hospital emergency care settings. The standard for EMT includes patient assessment skills in addition to more thorough patient care and management skills. 

Method of Delivery
The course will be delivered through both theory lectures and practical skills sessions. Throughout the course continuous assessment will be employed to ensure progression and to enhance students' knowledge and skills.

Requirements
Students will be required to complete Garda Vetting before commencing the clinical placement part of the course. Garda vetting will be commenced at the start of the programme. Delays receiving completed Garda Vetting will result in delays in clinical placements. The course is delivered through English.

Duration, Assessment and Certification

  • 120 hours of in class learning
  • 40 hours clinical placement
  • 2 Days of examinations (MCQ's and OSCE's) with the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council.

The assessment for this course is carried out by the PHECC. There are two exams to be taken on separate days in order to receive qualification. Firstly candidates will sit an MCQ (Multi Choice Question) examination to test their theory knowledge, retention and ability to apply this knowledge. Secondly candidates will be required to sit the OSCE's (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) which is a practical based exam. 

Upon successful completions candidates will be invited to apply for their practitioner’s license and to join the national register. More information about the PHECC register.

General Course Content Overview
Topics covered in this course:

  • Primary survey
  • Secondary survey
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Airway and ventilation
  • Respiratory emergencies ;
  • Cardiac first response - Advanced
  • Cardiovascular emergencies
  • General medical emergencies
  • Bleeding, shock and soft tissue injuries
  • Musculoskeletal, head and spinal injuries
  • Childbirth and neonatal resuscitation 
  • Paediatrics
  • Legislation and Information management
  • Communications 
  • Basic patient care
  • Gaining access to the patient at scene
  • Ambulance operations
  • Professional practice and medico‐ legal issues concerning the EMT 
  • Patient safety and Quality assurance
  • Clinical anatomy and physiology
  • Pharmacology 
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Intramuscular injection
  • Radio communications 
  • Hazardous material incident 
  • Major Emergency 
  • Civil disorder 
  • The well‐being of the EMT
  • Continuum of pre‐hospital emergency care 
  • Continuous professional competence  

Who is the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course for?
Typically people who undertake the PHECC Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course are from a wide and varied background. This course is well suited for those looking to expand on the knowledge and skills of other courses such as emergency first response. It may also be useful for those looking to secure employment in the HSE national ambulance service as an Intermediate Care Operative. It can also be of use for those who are looking to take up further training opportunities with the HSE National Ambulance Service or Dublin Fire Brigade as paramedic.