EMT Competency Program
Email training@brsvt.org with questions
EMT ACADEMY (SUMMER 2024)
We are planning for our next course for summer 2024, subscribe or follow us on Facebook & Instagram for course announcements.
course overview & schedule
This competency-based EMT program is for students independently motivated to complete coursework and adapt to an immersive learning environment.
Seats in this program are limited and competitive.
Students must complete an application then the FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment with acceptable scores and have the time to dedicate to this program.
Seats are reserved for Bennington Rescue and VT EMS District 12 agencies first. If you are interested in becoming an EMT for Bennington Rescue, check out our EMT Apprenticeship program.
Any remaining seats will be offered to those with a completed application and acceptable FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment scores (>60% in 3 or more of the core areas of Math, Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Biology). The entrance exam costs $20 not covered by the course fee.
Class Schedule:
09:00-15:00 each scheduled day, see the syllabus for full date & time details
Multiple days every week mid-June to early-August
VT EMS Course ID # 24-12-EMT-CB-034 pending final approval
Primary EMS Skills Lab Instructors Katie Fox, Rebecca Boroski, Alex Szabo
Senior Instructor/Coordinator Bill Camarda
CLASS FORMAT & EMT CERTIFICATION
This is a hybrid EMT course and has 3 parts:
Online didactic / homework - Independent study homework with recorded online lectures.
In-person days - In-person didactic and hands-on skills, scenarios, and simulated patient encounters.
Clinical experience - Ride time on an ambulance, patient assessments in the emergency department, work with community partners.
After successfully completing the course, there are additional steps to become a certified / licensed EMT:
Pass the National Registry of EMTs cognitive (computer) examination.
Apply for a state EMT license* / certification.
*In VT you get an EMT license after obtaining your NREMT certification and being affiliated with a VT EMS licensed ambulance or EMS first response service. Please see the VT EMS Office website for more information about the Vermont EMS system and license requirements. Students that are successful in the course and pass the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) examinations are eligible for a license/certification in most other states. Please consult with the applicable state EMS office to verify.
student requirements
Technological requirements:
Computer - A cell phone or tablet is not adequate.
Reliable internet connection is required.
Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser for proctored quizzes and exams.
You must be able to sign, print, and scan/take pictures of PDF and paper documents.
You must be comfortable with online learning and technology to participate in this course. We use a central learning management system known as Canvas, a study application from Limmer Education, Flip (formerly Flipgrid), and ReelDx - click on the hyperlinks for system requirements.
The function of your devices is your responsibility. We troubleshoot course components but our instructors cannot be tech support for your devices.
Prerequisites:
16 years of age or older by the time the course begins.
Clear criminal history: If you have a history of a misdemeanor, felony, or are on an adult or child protection registry, we recommend contacting the VT EMS office to review in advance. In most cases being on a child or adult protection registry excludes you from participating in EMS.
FEMA - obtain a student ID and complete I-5, 100, 200, 700, 800 students will submit their certificates the first week of class.
VT Mandatory Reporter training students will submit their certificate the first week of class.
Affiliation with a VT EMS licensed agency is not required but STRONGLY recommended, contact information for EMS services is available at the VT EMS website if you are not currently a member of a service.
“I am very impressed with the EMT program in Bennington, I hope to attend the AEMT course this fall.”
“In a year of a lot of online classes, the online portion of the EMT course was the best for me. It is multifaceted, well paced, and helped me learn a lot. ”
“The Canvas modules were so organized and structured. I really felt like I knew what to expect and could set myself up for success.”
Health requirements:
Medical screening and attestation from your healthcare provider that you are able to:
wear constricting PPE such as a disposable respirator (N95 mask), and
lift 51-100 pounds, and
kneel, squat, bend, get up off the floor independently, etc.
Proof of current immunizations - Only medical exemptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis with healthcare provider certification. No other exemptions are accepted. Required immunizations or titers to prove immunity include but are not limited to: TB testing (2-step PPD or Quantiferon testing), MMR, varicella, influenza, Tdap, Hepatitis B, COVID-19, etc. We provide students with the required forms, do NOT send other immunization and health records.
Other course requirements:
Math Skills - Successful students in this program must master these math skills. Previous preparation and training in these areas are critical for academic success in this program.
Use of military time
Fractions, decimals, and percentages
Ratios and proportions
Reading gauges
Metric to standard conversion
Basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
Uniform:
Students must wear the provided EMT class shirt for in-person class sessions and field/clinical time. The class shirt is provided as part of the course fee.
Black, dark blue, or khaki colors are acceptable for pants for in-person and field/clinical experiences. Denim, jeans, leggings, shorts, etc. are not acceptable. Uniform-style pants are not provided and are the responsibility of the student.
Sturdy footwear, such as black uniform boots, are strongly recommended but not required. Open-toe footwear is prohibited in the classroom and clinical experience.
A face mask and eye protection (safety goggles or clear face shield) are required for all class sessions and is the responsibility of the student. We provide gloves, hand sanitizer, handwashing facilities, and disinfectant wipes for in-person class sessions.
An analog watch is required to take a pulse, count respiratory rates, time contractions in labor, etc. Smart watches are not the best option. An analog watch with second hand or timer/stopwatch is highly recommended.
Students must achieve a course grade of 80 out of 100 points or higher to graduate. The course grading rubric is:
5 points: Quizzes & homework
15 points: FISDAP EMT Unit Exams (65% or higher score required on each)
20 points: Attendance
20 points: Affective
20 points: Final simulation exam (80% or higher score required)
20 points: Final written exam (65% or higher score required)
COUrse FEE
The course fee is $1500. Additional costs may include:
$20 FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment
Exam, certification, or licensing fees - see NREMT for the certification cognitive exam information and current fee.
Uniform/straight leg pants, boots, outerwear, analog watch, etc.
Any additional study aids, equipment, etc., that the student chooses to purchase.
Costs associated with medical screening and immunizations.
REFUND POLICY
Once payment is received, any refund requests are less a $500 non-refundable deposit.
The course fee is non-transferrable.
Refund requests for the tuition portion of the fee are allowed up to the day before the online course begins.
enrollment
We are now accepting applications for the Summer 2024 EMT Academy. Enrollment closes 2 weeks prior to the course (earlier if seats fill quickly).
Step 1: Complete the ONLINE COURSE ENROLLMENT.
Step 2: Potential students will be contacted to schedule the FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment (additional $20 fee). See sample questions here.
Step 3: Students with acceptable FISDAP EMT Entrance Exam scores will be invited to reserve a seat with payment of the course fee.
Frequently asked questions:
Q: Do you provide payment plans or scholarships?
A: Potential students may be eligible for local, regional, or other scholarship or grant programs such as a VSAC Advancement Grant. A seat in the course is only secured with an application and payment.
Q: I already have obligations the same time as some class sessions, can I be excused and make up the work?
A: No. Do not sign up for the program if you know you already have a conflict. All class sessions must be attended on time for the entire time. Any time absent results in a deduction from the course grade. Missing class session(s) results in dismissal from the program. You may not be on call, actively working, etc. during class sessions.
Q: Does completing the education program certify me as an EMT?
A: No. After course completion you must then successfully pass the NREMT cognitive examination to obtain NREMT certification. To practice in most states you must also then apply for a state license or certification (check with the applicable state EMS office).
Q: Do I have to do my clinical experience at Bennington Rescue?
A: It depends.
Students who are not affiliated with a VT licensed ambulance service must ride at Bennington Rescue and go to the SVMC ED (if available) for clinical time as outlined above.
Students who are affiliated/members of a VT EMS licensed ambulance service may ride at their service with confirmation from their head of service in advance. First response services are not eligible for this clinical time.
Q: May I do my sim lab skills at my own agency instead of the Bennington Rescue sim lab?
A: No. All students must perform their sim lab for hands-on skills and scenarios at Bennington Rescue. Students who are part of an agency are strongly encouraged to practice skills with their agency training officer or educators after learning them in the sim lab.
Q: Are ADA accommodations available?
A: Computer quiz / exam accommodations are addressed on a case-by-case basis. NREMT, the certifying body for EMTs, typically only makes accommodations for the length of cognitive (computer/written) testing - see their information here. To support cognitive accommodations, clinical documentation must be submitted. Contact the instructor/coordinator to discuss prior to enrolling in the course. Psychomotor accommodations are not available, students must be able to physically perform all EMT skills including lifting, carrying 51-100 pounds, moving, crouching, kneeling, etc. Adaptive equipment may be approved to meet the psychomotor requirement and is the responsibility of the student.
If you have any questions please email: training@brsvt.org
