First Responder

The First Responder (FR) is the first level of EMS certification.  The FR training class may be referred to as EMT-1, as it is the first step to EMT certification.  The class is approximately 48 hours and teaches patient assessment; splinting; bleeding control; CPR and automatic defibrillation.

Emergency Medical Technician
(EMT)

The EMT is the primary caregiver on many ambulance services.  EMT Bridge training is a continuation of what is learned in the FR program, and includes patient assessment; spinal immobilization; oxygen administration; airway management and patient assisted medications.  The class lasts approximately 78

Paramedic

Paramedics take additional training beyond their EMT certification to be able to render advanced life support (ALS) and administer IV's; medications; cardiac monitoring and advanced airway procedures.  This program can take up to 1 year to complete.

Other

The EMS system also includes other certification levels for current health care professionals, such as pre-hospital registered nurses (PHRN) and physicians.  Contact our office for additional information on these programs.

Continuing Education

Continuing Education Sponsors can register their scheduled Continuing education classes here

View Scheduled Continuing Education Programs
View BEMS Continuing Education Handbook

Print Your Con-Ed Report

Certified EMS providers can print their current continuing education report at: 
EMS Registry Portal

Learning Management System

To assist providers with meeting their certification requirements the Bureau of EMS provides access to an on-line continuing education resource, the Learning Management System (LMS)

Renew Expired Certification

Providers whose certification has expired can recertify by completing continuing education courses.

To recertify, please contact our office to determine the process for recertification.

Instructor Resources

 EMT-Instructor and Course Coordinator Resources Coming Soon

Training Schedule 2010-2011
The Course Schedule for 2010-2011 is not yet available due to community college issues.  Please check back often.

 

 

Continuing Education Requirements

To recertify, EMS providers must complete the required continuing education requirements appropriate for their certification level.  The following are the current requirements:

(a)  First responders. A first responder who elects to qualify for recertification by fulfilling continuing education requirements shall, prior to the expiration of the 3-year certification period, successfully complete the following:

   (1)  Sixteen hours of instruction in subjects related to the scope of practice of a first responder as set forth in § 1003.22(a) and (e) (relating to first responder) and which have been approved by the Department for continuing education credit. At least eight of those credits shall be in medical and trauma education, commencing with the first full certification period the first responder begins following October 14, 2000:

   (2)  A CPR course completed or taught biennially.

(b)  EMTs. An EMT who elects to qualify for recertification by fulfilling continuing education requirements shall, prior to the expiration of the 3-year certification period, successfully complete the following:

   (1)  Twenty-four hours of instruction in subjects related to the scope of practice of an EMT as set forth in § 1003.23(a) and (e) (relating to EMT) and which have been approved by the Department for continuing education credit. At least 12 of those credits shall be in medical and trauma education, commencing with the first full certification period the EMT begins following October 14, 2000.

   (2)  A CPR course completed or taught biennially.

(c)  EMT-paramedics. To be eligible to receive and retain medical command authorization, an EMT-paramedic shall successfully complete in each calendar year, 18 hours of instruction in subjects related to the scope of practice of an EMT-paramedic as set forth in § 1003.24(a) and (d) (relating to EMT-paramedic) and which have been approved by the Department for continuing education credit, and shall biennially attend or teach a CPR course. Beginning in 2002, at least 9 of the 18 hours of instruction shall be in medical and trauma education. In the initial year of certification, the EMT-paramedic's continuing education requirements, to secure renewal of medical command authorization for the following year, shall be prorated based upon the month the certification was secured.

(d)  Prehospital registered nurses. To be eligible to receive and retain medical command authorization, a prehospital registered nurse shall successfully complete in each calendar year, 18 hours of instruction in subjects related to the scope of practice of a prehospital registered nurse as set forth in § 1003.25b(a) and (c) (relating to prehospital registered nurse) and which have been approved by the Department for continuing education credit, and shall attend or teach biennially a CPR course. Beginning in 2002, at least 9 of the 18 hours of instruction shall be in medical and trauma education. In the initial year of recognition, the prehospital registered nurse's continuing education requirements, to secure renewal of medical command authorization for the following year, shall be prorated based upon the month the recognition was secured.

 

Act 37 Changes

The new EMS Systems Act will make changes to certification, training and continuing education for EMS providers in Pennsylvania.  The Act will be implemented over a period of time, as the regulations required under the new law are written and published.  As these changes develop additional information will be provided.