EMT & EMR

Emergency Medical Technician I (EMT I)

The tasks for this course represent the National Emergency Medical Services Educational Standards (NEMSES). Students explore and apply the fundamentals of emergency medical services (EMS), anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology while demonstrating skills in assessing and managing patient care, including assessing the scene and understanding shock, resuscitation, and trauma. Successful completion of this course and instructor endorsement qualifies students to enroll in EMT II to complete the program sequence. Students must complete a minimum of 85 percent of the didactic and lab aspects of the course, per 12VAC5-31-1501 in the Virginia Administrative Code. Successful completion of all course requirements and instructor endorsement may lead to eligibility to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam. Students must meet the requirements of the Functional Position Description for the Basic Life Support Provider (refer to EMS.TR.14B and 12VAC5-31-1501). 

Emergency Medical Technician II (EMT II)

The tasks for this course represent the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Educational Standards. Students build on their knowledge and skills for providing basic life support by focusing on the areas of emergency medical services (EMS) operations, medical emergencies, and management of special patient populations. Supervised field experience that includes at least 10 patient contacts outside school hours is required. Successful completion of all course requirements and instructor endorsement may lead to eligibility to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam. Students must meet the requirements of the Functional Position Description for the Basic Life Support Provider (refer to EMS.TR.14B and 12VAC5-31-1501 in the Virginia Administrative Code). Students must complete a minimum of 85 percent of the didactic and lab aspects of the course, per 12VAC5-31-1501.

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course prepares the EMR student to provide immediate life-saving interventions for patients of all ages while awaiting additional emergency medical services (EMS) resources. Areas of study include an introduction to EMS systems, roles and responsibilities of the EMR, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, and special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting. Students must complete a minimum of 85 percent of the didactic and lab aspects of the course, per 12VAC5-31-1501 in the Code of Virginia.

Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills. High-quality work-based learning (HQWBL) will provide experiential learning opportunities related to students' career goals and/or interests, integrated with instruction, and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations.

NOTE: Students must be at least 16 years old prior to the first day of EMT instruction or have been issued a variance by the Division of Regulation and Compliance at the Virginia Office of EMS and have reached age 16 by the end date of the course. Students may need to undergo a criminal background check that includes fingerprinting and drug screening. It is important to note that final eligibility for national registry certification testing is determined by the course education coordinator and the EMS physician.

This course has specific state laws and regulations from a governing medical board or agency. Please contact the Virginia Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education Services prior to implementing this course. All inquiries may be sent to cte@doe.virginia.gov

Teacher: Rachel Edwards 

Class: EMS Program Coordinator 

Years of Experience: 8

Mrs. Edwards has been teaching EMS courses at RTC since 2023. With a passion for EMS, she strives to create an engaging and supportive learning environment for all students. She received her EMT Intermediate certification from Virginia Commonwealth University, and EMS Education Coordinator certification from the Virginia Office of EMS.  In addition to teaching, Mrs. Edwards is involved in HOSA. She believes in the importance of project based learning, and hands-on skill practice. 

Mrs. Edwards is dedicated to preparing students for their future careers. She integrates real-world skills into the curriculum, focusing on sound clinical decision making, and the domain of affective behavior . She also emphasizes the importance of understanding the realities of working in EMS to help students understand various career paths.