Westchester Community College, State University of New York

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Refresher Course

Description of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

An emergency medical technician (EMT), also known as an ambulance technician, is a health professional that provides emergency medical services. EMTs are most commonly found working in ambulances. In English-speaking countries, paramedics are a separate profession that has additional educational requirements, qualifications, and scope of practice.

Hazard controls

EMTs are exposed to a variety of hazards such as lifting patients and equipment, treating those with infectious disease, handling hazardous substances, and transportation via ground or air vehicles. Employers can prevent occupational illness or injury by providing safe patient handling equipment, implementing a training program to educate EMTs on job hazards, and supplying PPE such as respirators, gloves, and isolation gowns when dealing with biological hazards.

Infectious disease has become a major concern, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies and organizations have issued guidance regarding workplace hazard controls for COVID-19. Some specific recommendations include modified call queries, symptom screening, universal PPE use, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and stringent disinfection protocols. Research on ambulance ventilation systems found that aerosols often recirculate throughout the compartment, creating a health hazard for EMTs when transporting sick patients capable of airborne transmission.Unidirectional airflow design can better protect workers.

EMTs are often employed by private ambulance services, municipal EMS agencies, governments, hospitals, and fire departments. Some EMTs are paid employees, while others (particularly those in rural areas) are volunteers. EMTs provide medical care under a set of protocols, which are typically written by a physician.[

Agency Verification form DOH 3312 must be downloaded at: https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-3312.pdf This form must be submitted on the first day of class.

• All Students requiring a CPR card must pay a $30.00 fee for certification card (due on first day of class)
  
• All tuition payments are due at registration
  
• Students must order Navigate 2 Essentials Access for Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, Eleventh Edition ISBN: 9781284118810, to complete on-line assignments and access supplemental information. Ordering link: https://checkout.jblearning.com/cart/Default.aspx?bc=11881-0&ref=psg&coupon=SWCC. Cost is $84.71. Please order before the first class.
  

Pre-requisites:

• Students must have an email address, internet access, current web browser and a device capable of using Adobe
  Flash Players and JavaScript.
  
• Students must have their own B/P cuff, stethoscope, notepads and writing tools (pens and pencils).
  

Co-requisites:

• FEMA ICS 100 and ICS 700, HazMat Awareness and Narcan (Reversing Opioid Overdoes) must be turned into the instructor as per the due dates or the student will not be allowed to take the state exams.

Note: All students MUST attend the first day of class. No exceptions, no accommodations! This class has on-line components in addition to in person classes. / Class Starts Sundays, February 26^th. STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION and comply with other COVID Requirements.

Spring 2023

Location: Science Building / Room 346
Dates:  Sundays, February 26^th, March 5^th, 12^th, 26^th, April 2^nd, 16^th
Time: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Catalogue #: CE-HCARE 2058
Class #: 20746

• Final Skills Exam – April 30th
  
• State Written Final – As Scheduled

COURSE FEE:

• $ 347.00 plus any applicable registration fees (up to $9.75 for non EMS students)
  
• or $ 335.00 plus all fees for EMS students
  

NYS DOH funding may be available for eligible members of EMS agencies (does not include CPR fee or applicable registration fees (up to $9.75) and must be requested by student or agency after student passes NYS DOH exam.

How to Register:

Register over the phone using MC, Visa or Discover. Call 914-606-6830, press 1

You will need the Class # when speaking with a representative.

Office hours for registration are Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (in summer, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon)
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (in summer, closed some Saturdays)

For course questions, please contact:

Jim Irvine, Director of Corporate and Continuing Professional Education 914-606-6658 james.irvine@sunywcc.edu