Not everyone who joins Lakeside comes with certifications. In fact, many of our most dedicated volunteers joined the squad without knowing anything about CPR or first-aid. Some members have even used their training not only to serve Lakeside, but also to further their careers in the medical profession.
Basic Life Support
The first step in EMS training is to learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Rescue squads require certification at the healthcare provider level through either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. This class covers one and two-person CPR techniques, as well as training in infant and child CPR, how to manage choking situations and, an introduction to automated defibrillators. These classes are usually scheduled for eight hours for first-time students.
After becoming certified in CPR, squad members are eligible to enroll in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) classes. Requiring a minimum of 120 hours of classroom instruction (some instructors schedule more time), EMT classes provide the foundation for emergency medical care. Students learn how to use oxygen, splint fractures, control bleeding, recognize heart attacks and strokes and much more. A lot of the instruction is "hands-on" so that students get to practice their skills rather than just read about them. They also take part in a brief field internship (usually 10 hours) observing in emergency rooms or on ambulances.
Many EMT classes are offered free of charge, although the purchase of textbooks is usually required. Students interested in earning college credit can enroll in EMT classes at J. Sergeant Reynolds; however, these students will have to pay tuition. For a complete listing of current EMT classes in the area, prospective students can contact the State Office of Emergency Medical Services(www.vdh.state.va.us/oems) at 371-5000 or the Old Dominion EMS Alliance (www.odemsa.org)at 285-9111.
There is a two-part state exam offered at the end of the course which is required for certification.
Advanced Life Support
Emergency medicine has come a long way over the years. Advanced life support (the use of advanced airway techniques, drug therapy and electrical therapy) has become the standard of care for EMS systems across the nation. While many emergency calls can be satisfactorily handled by personnel with the basic EMT training, this advanced standard leads many volunteers to pursue additional training.
In the Richmond area, the first level of advanced EMS training is
EMT-Enhanced (EMT-E). Enhanced Providers can
provide advanced care for breathing problems and diabetic emergencies,
including providing the appropriate medications and interventions.
Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate (EMT-I) classes train EMTs to start I.V.s, administer medications, use advanced airways, interpret EKGs and administer electrical therapy. EMT's should be an EMT for at least one year before applying.
The next level of advanced training is the
Paramedic level (EMT-P). Currently
three paramedic training programs operate in the Richmond area --
at the Medical College of Virginia
http://www.ctcce.vcu.edu/paramedic.html, The Center for Emergency Health
Services http://www.centerforehs.org/,
and through J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
http://www.jsr.cc.va.us. The tuition for these classes varies.
EMT-E, EMT-I and EMT-P classes offer a combination of classroom and in-hospital experiences for students, and hold certifying exams on completion of the course.
Specialized Training
Volunteers may pursue other areas of interest through a variety of training classes. These classes include hazardous materials training, emergency vehicle operator course, vehicle extrication, instructor training and more. Lakeside encourages its members to attend a variety of educational programs, including those held during the annual statewide symposium in the fall of each year.
Resource:
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/OEMS/training/index.htm |
EMT Training in Virginia