Emergency Medical Technician

Career Information

Students who complete this program could pursue a variety of careers. Here are some potential career paths:

  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): Provide emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients.

  • Paramedic: Provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients.

  • Firefighter: Respond to fire emergencies and provide medical care.

  • Emergency Room Technician: Assist in emergency rooms with patient care and procedures.

  • Ambulance Dispatcher: Coordinate emergency response and dispatch emergency medical services.

  • Rescue Worker: Participate in search and rescue operations.

  • Disaster Response Technician: Provide medical care and support during disasters and emergencies.

  • Medical Instructor: Teach emergency medical services courses.

These careers leverage the diverse skills and knowledge gained through the program, providing a strong foundation for success in various fields.

Program Description

This program is designed to be completed in one year during the 11th or 12th grade.

Year 1
Emergency Medical Technician I (1 credit): The tasks for this course represent the National Emergency Medical Services Educational Standards. Students explore and apply the fundamentals of emergency medical services, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. They demonstrate 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% 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 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). Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization activities will develop leadership, interpersonal skills, and career skills. High-quality work-based learning will provide experiential learning opportunities related to students' career goals and interests, integrated with instruction and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations.

Emergency Medical Technician II (1 credit): This course builds on the knowledge acquired in EMT I. Students will continue to develop their skills in emergency medical services, focusing on advanced topics such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, exercise program design, and injury prevention, assessment, treatment, and management. Students will assess fitness, measure body composition, and design exercise programs. Students prepare for a career in sports medicine, including completing an internship, practicing interview skills, and building a resume.

Program Structure and Benefits

Career Technical Student Organization - Future Health Professionals: This organization prepares students for careers in the health sciences.

Real-World Experience: High-quality work-based learning will provide experiential learning opportunities related to students' career goals and interests, integrated with instruction and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations.

Certifications: Those who complete the program are eligible to earn their National Registry EMT or EMR, CPR Professional Rescuer, IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, ARW-160 (terrorism for EMS professionals), HAZMAT Awareness, Mass Casualty 1, and Workplace Readiness (WRS) certifications.

Dual Enrollment: Students can earn nine transferable college credits through our partnership with Reynolds Community College.

Instructor