About AEMTs

• The Advanced EMT (AEMT) is an EMS professional with an expanded scope of practice over EMTs. AEMTs provide care in volunteer or career roles. To obtain AEMT, you must be a current NREMT or state EMT.

• This education program meets the requirements of states that accept NREMT certification and license AEMTs. Not all states have AEMTs or will accept NRAEMT alone for certification. If you are not in a NREMT state, you must check with the state EMS office where you intend to practice to determine if NRAEMT is acceptable for license or certification.

• Our course uses a flipped classroom model (mostly online, independent study didactic) with class time dedicated to brief review then skills, scenarios, and simulations.

• We know our course is NOT accepted by NY State for AEMT reciprocity due to the flipped classroom model, please do not apply if you intend on applying to practice as an AEMT in NY.

Class Overview

There are 3 parts to this program:

1. Online Didactic: Consists of recorded lectures and asynchronous study activities.  There are 9 weeks of the didactic program. Homework is due every Monday by 23:59 hours.

2. Lab Days: In-person class days include peer-to-peer skill practice & evaluation and instructor-to-student skill, scenario, or simulation practice & performance evaluations. 

3. Patient Care Experience: This time takes place at a VT-licensed ALS (AEMT or paramedic) transporting ambulance service or affiliated hospital.  This time is scheduled via the course I/C or their designee and may begin after cleared by the course I/C and has 3 parts:

• Clinical Experience is a minimum of 36 hours in an emergency department to practice AEMT skills and assist with assessment & management of patients.

• Field Experience is a minimum of 48 hours on an ALS ambulance with an ALS preceptor as a third crew member to perform AEMT skills, assessment, and management.

• Field Capstone Experience occurs once the student is performing Phase 3 Simulations in class and cleared by the IC.  This is 24 or more hours, no maximum.  As a third rider, the student must successfully manage 5+ ALS patients as evaluated by their ALS preceptor. 

VT EMS Course #: 26-12-AEMT-124 (pending final VT EMS approval)

Primary EMS Lab Skills Instructor: Katie Fox

Senior Instructor/Coordinator: Bill Camarda, VT EMS ID 103047

Requirements

Student Prerequisites

• 18 years of age by the time of course start.

• Current, valid EMT with either NREMT certification and/or state EMT certificate or license.

• BLS Provider CPR (AHA or ARC) - NOTE: Certifications from National CPR, ACLS Medical Training, etc. often advertised as “fully online” without a skills component are not accepted.

• FEMA IS- 5 (or equivalent EMS HazMat Awareness or above), 100, 200, & 700. The links take you to the courses if you do not have it already.

• VT Mandatory Reporter Training

• 1 year of active experience as a licensed/certified EMT preferred.

• 2 or more letters of recommendation(s) must be from:

  • AEMT or paramedic (preferred) the student currently practices with,

  • Direct supervisor, training officer, or head of service, or

  • Agency medical director.

• Criminal history that would preclude the applicant from licensure or certification. Contact the state EMS office and NREMT if you need to discuss previous convictions prior to submitting an application for this program.

• Health requirements, on the Bennington Rescue medical screening form completed and submitted prior to the start of the course:

  • Medical screening and attestation from your healthcare provider that you are healthy enough to participate in the physically and emotionally strenuous environment AEMTs encounter. This includes:

    • wearing constricting PPE such as a disposable respirator (N95 mask).

    • being able to lift over 50 pounds,

    • ability to kneel, squat, bend, get up off the floor independently, etc.

  • Proof of current immunizations - Required immunizations or titers to prove immunity on the Bennington Rescue immunization form prior to the first lab day of class:

    • TB testing (2-step PPD - skin test done twice or Quantiferon/T-spot testing),

    • MMR,

    • varicella,

    • influenza,

    • Tdap,

    • Hepatitis B,

    • Recommended COVID-19 booster

    • Do NOT send other immunization and health records. The forms provided in the links above MUST be submitted, no exceptions.

  • Proof of current fit test, respirator used, and you must bring your own N95 masks for field time, clinical, and capstone experiences.

Technology Requirements:

• Computer - A computer is required to complete coursework. A cell phone is not acceptable. A tablet may work if you have a keyboard. We recommend you bring your devices for exam days, we do have up to 8 Chromebooks available for use in the classroom for exams.

• Reliable internet connection is required.

• You must be able to sign, print, and scan online PDF documents.

• You must be comfortable with online learning and technology to participate in this course. If you find yourself saying things like “technology and I don’t get along,” “I learn better in person,” etc. then this is not the program for you.‍ ‍

• The function of your devices is your responsibility. We troubleshoot course components but our instructors cannot be tech support for your devices.

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)

• Basic algebra (determining concentrations, dosages, etc.)

Uniform:

• Students must wear the AEMT class shirt for in-person class sessions. The class shirt is provided as part of the course fee.

• Black, dark blue, or khaki colors are acceptable. 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.

• We provide gloves, hand sanitizer, handwashing facilities, and disinfectant wipes for in-person class sessions.

• A watch is required to take a pulse, count respiratory rates, calculate IV drip rates, etc. Smart watches are not the best option. An analog watch with second hand or digital with timer/stopwatch is highly recommended.

Students must achieve a course grade of 80 or higher PLUS passing scores on the unit exams, written final, & simulation final exams to graduate. The course grading rubric is based off of 100 total points:

• 20 points: FISDAP AEMT Unit Exams - a score ≥60% is required with each unit exam to continue with the course

• 20 points: homework & quizzes online

• 20 points: attendance - all classes must be attended

• 20 points: affective (attitude toward the course, instructors, patients, preceptors, etc.; treating class time with respect; taking initiative, etc.)

• 20 points: final written exam - FISDAP Comprehensive AEMT Exam - a score ≥65% is required to pass the course

Course Fee

$900* which covers textbook, learning management system, AEMT study apps, AEMT class shirts, and course supplies. $450 of the course fee is a non-refundable deposit.‍ ‍

*Normally the fee for this course is $1,900 per student.  It is being offered for $900 to cover educational materials, supplies, and other disposables used during the course with the remainder of the fee (instructor costs) covered by a SAMHSA Rural EMS Training & Equipment Appropriation (REMSTEA) Grant.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, if the federal government changes any aspects of the grant, fails to fund or cancels the grant prior to the start of the class, students must pay the full $1,900 course fee.

Additional costs may include:

• NRAEMT Certification exam fees, see NREMT website for current fee (VT EMS personnel are eligible for exam fee coverage).

• Background check fees if required by the clinical site.

• Uniform or straight leg pants, boots/closed toe shoes, appropriate department/EMS outerwear, analog watch, etc.

• Any additional study aids, equipment, etc, the student chooses to purchase.

• Costs associated with medical screening, immunizations, background checks, etc.

Refund Policy

• A refund minus a $400.00 deposit is available until the first day of the course. Written notice via email must be sent to the instructor/coordinator.

• The course fee is not transferable.

Enrollment Process:

STEP 1 - File the online course application and send your letter(s) of recommendation, current EMT card(s), current BLS CPR card, IS forms, VT Mandatory Reporter, Medical Screening, and Immunization Form to training@brsvt.org.

STEP 2 - Pre-enrollment assessment - FISDAP Entrance Assessment ($40 cost). This is required and students must achieve a score of 60% or higher in all knowledge areas to qualify for enrollment (Math, Biology, Reading, EMT-level knowledge). 2 attempts at this pre-enrollment assessment are permitted. Affective scores are considered along with the entire application. Here are sample questions.

STEP 3 - If offered a seat, students must pay their course fee within 24 hours or the seat is provided to the next qualified student.

STEP 4 - Ensure all prerequisites are ready for submission in the online classroom for the first week of the class.