Emergency Medical Services department launches new program

Glory Reitz

Reporter

Crowder’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department will launch their new Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) training program in January of 2020. The department, located in Smith Hall on the Neosho campus, hasn’t previously offered an AEMT program because the state didn’t recognize that level of certification and licensure, according to Kristin Spencer, Crowder’s EMS program director.

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) explains that a normal emergency medical technician (EMT) is certified to provide basic medical care, stabilize and transport patients, while AEMTs can provide advanced care and use advanced equipment.

“We’re excited to offer this program,” said Spencer. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Spencer believes the program is ideal for emergency medical technicians who want to be trained in advanced life support interventions, but don’t feel ready to shoulder the responsibility of a paramedic, the highest-trained pre-hospital professional.

“It gives me a chance to advance my medical training and knowledge without the time requirements that the paramedic programs require,” said Tyler Daniel, a prospective AEMT student. “As a full-time employee, I don’t have time to commit to paramedic school.”

Spencer also referred to the current regional shortage of paramedics, which makes area ambulance district personnel willing to hire AEMTs instead.

The 24-week course, split into four-week blocks, will be offered in a Flex format to accommodate EMS students’ typically busy schedules. For most blocks, students will only attend class once a week.

“Students used to be afraid to take such an intensive course online,” said Spencer. “But now with this tech-driven society, students aren’t afraid anymore.”

Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor skills testing. Passing this test places graduates on the national registry and certifies them to practice as AEMTs.

Two new instructors have been hired for the AEMT program: Bruce Jeffers, a paramedic for Grove EMS, and Matt Prior, a paramedic at Pafford EMS. According to Spencer, both men have solid core knowledge in the course material.

“With those two very capable instructors,” she said, “I think it’s going to be a solid program.”