EMR & EMT Competency Programs
Email training@brsvt.org with questions
EMR / EMT ACADEMY (winter 2025)
ENROLLMENT CLOSED 12/25/2024 - check this site or follow us on Instagram or Facebook for future class announcements
course overview & schedule
This competency-based program is for students independently motivated to complete coursework and adapt to an immersive learning environment. Students may enroll for the EMT Course (VT EMS Course ID 25-12-EMT-CB-055 or EMR Course (VT EMS Course ID 25-12-EMR-CB-008.
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 members first with the remainder available for open enrollment.
Seats will be offered to those with a completed application and acceptable FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment scores
For a seat in the EMT program >60% in 3 or more of the core areas of Math, Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Biology
For a seat in the EMR program >60% in 1 or more of the core areas of Math, Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Biology
The entrance exam costs $50 not covered by the course fee.
Class Schedule - 08:00-15:00 Tuesdays, starting January 7, 2025 except Feb 18, 2025.
Primary EMS Skills Lab Instructors Katie Fox, Rebecca Boroski, Alex Szabo
Senior Instructor Coordinator Bill Camarda
CLASS FORMAT & NREMT 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 or in the emergency department for patient assessments.
After successfully completing the course, there are additional steps to become certified:
Pass the National Registry of EMTs cognitive (computer) examination.
Apply for a state license* / certification.
*In VT you get an EMR / 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 access - A cell phone and most tablets are not adequate.
Reliable internet connection is required.
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. The function of your devices is your responsibility. We troubleshoot course components but our instructors cannot be tech support for your devices.
Prerequisites:
A member of Bennington Rescue or, if seats remain available, we extend courtesy to those meeting the following requirements:
Age 18+
Physically able to perform the expected actions of an EMS professional. Students must complete medical screening and attestation from their healthcare provider to participate in the physically and emotionally strenuous environment EMRs and EMTs encounter. This includes use of a respirator (such as an N95 mask).
Able to submit proof of current immunizations.
Required for class attendance and field experience are immunizations, or titers to prove immunity, for 2024-2025 influenza, Hepatitis B vaccine series, and initial plus at least 1 booster for COVID-19. Only medical exemptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis with healthcare provider certification. No other exemptions are accepted.
Required if a student aims to participate in emergency department clinical experience are immunizations, or titers to prove immunity, for tuberculosis testing (2-step PPD or Quantiferon testing), MMR series, varicella, 2024-2025 influenza, Tdap, Hepatitis B vaccine series, and initial plus at least 1 booster for COVID-19. The hospital does not accept any exemptions for students.
Read, write, and communicate proficiently in English at a 10th grade or higher level. This includes proper grammar, punctuation, capitalization, ability to read and comprehend an approximately 1400-page textbook, provide written and verbal reports for simulated and actual patient care encounters, etc.
Perform math skills at a 10th grade or higher level. This includes use of military time, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, basic algebra, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, reading gauges, standard to metric conversions, etc.
Utilize computer systems to complete homework, file applications with VT EMS, NREMT, complete electronic patient care reports, etc.
In possession or have access to a computer with a webcam, microphone, and internet access.
Entrance Assessment – a student may request either to attend as an EMT student or EMR student. In either case, students must complete the FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment ($25 fee) and meet the following standards:
EMT - 60% or higher in 3 or more of the core areas of Math, Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Biology
EMR - 60% or higher in 1 or more of the core areas of Math, Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Biology
If a student does not meet EMT Entrance Assessment standard and does meet the EMR entry standard they will be offered the opportunity to enroll in the EMR program.
“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.”
Other course requirements:
Uniform:
Students must wear the provided 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.
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.
COUrse FEE
This course is supported by a Rural EMS Training grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration which covers instructor-related costs. Students are responsible for materials and lab supply fees.
EMT course fee is $650
EMR course fee is $550
Additional costs may include:
$25 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 $250 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 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 by December 25, 2024.
Step 2: Potential students will be contacted to schedule the FISDAP EMT Entrance Assessment (additional $25 fee) no later than December 28, 2024. 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 full 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 EMR/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/or 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 lab skills at my own agency instead of at Bennington Rescue?
A: No. All students must perform their sim lab for hands-on skills, scenarios, and simulations 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
