can anyone help with the EMT courses being run in the uk. am i right in saying that these courses are equivalent to the amulance technician qual in the NHS????just been looking at some courses for resettlement. i find it hard to understand that a week long course can equip people with the skills and knowledge required to operate as an autonomous practitioner of pre hospital care, can anyone help point out if its worthwhile doing these courses????
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EMT courses
- Thread starter jamesm
- Start date
I'm going to get on my soap box as I was just writing about this elsewhwere, so but bare with me...
There is no such thing as an EMT in the UK.
The term EMT is not a protected title, unlike 'Paramedic', which means anyone, with or without training or experience can call themselves an EMT or 'Medic'. Furthermore, any company can deliver an EMT training course with no regulation and no quality assurance.
The term Emergency Medical Technician was inherited from the tiered US emergency medical practitioner system which can loosely be compared to the UK Ambulance personnel roles. The first stage in each continuum is EMT-Basic in the US and elsewhere or Ambulance Technician in the UK. The National Highway Transport and Safety Administration (NHTSA) require a minimum of 110 hours of learning for the EMT-B course. The UK's Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD) require 8 weeks of learning to cover the theory part of the Ambulance Technician course.
So how does a commercial five-day EMT course compare? Quite simply, it can't.
Almost every one of these courses is a re-badged version of the the First Person On Scene – Intermediate (FPOS-I) course. Some EMT course are entirely in-house with no external accreditation or regulation.
Some training providers will include additional skills including intraosseos injection, needle decompression or chest drains. Ask if they will provide any form of indemnity insurance for your actions should you apply any of these advanced skills?
These are high level skills which are intended for experience Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors which take time to perfect and continual practice to retain. As a civilian you will never be able to apply these skills and to do so, even out of necessity, could lead to a criminal conviction. And that is if the casualty survives.
Further Reading: Duty of Care and the Law
So what is the alternative?
For those who want additional skills beyond First Aid at Work look first at the IHCD First Person On Scene course, exactly as it is. It was designed with a syllabus and purpose in mind and fits a range of needs well. It was developed for Community First Responders who required additional skills above First Aid at Work, to provide life saving treatment and the ability stabilise a casualty until they can be hand-over to a Paramedic.
The FPOS-I course has subsequently been rolled out across the majority of UK Fire Brigades and is fast becoming the standard in Advanced First Aid in industry as well as the benchmark course for those who work in security and close protection.
For those who want to develop their skills further and especially for those working or operating in a remote environments, look at the AREMT Emergency Medical Responder or AREMNT EMT-B, which includes internationally recognised registration with the Australasian Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. These are in-depth blended learning programmes including pre-course on-line learning followed by 6 - 10 days of intensive skills training and practical assessment in realistic remote, hostile or wilderness settings.
Neither of these are “EMT†courses but they will give you advanced skills, knowledge and understanding to manage situations, save lives, stabilise casualties and manage injuries and illness to a recognised standard.
Further Reading: What next after FAAW
There is no such thing as an EMT in the UK.
The term EMT is not a protected title, unlike 'Paramedic', which means anyone, with or without training or experience can call themselves an EMT or 'Medic'. Furthermore, any company can deliver an EMT training course with no regulation and no quality assurance.
The term Emergency Medical Technician was inherited from the tiered US emergency medical practitioner system which can loosely be compared to the UK Ambulance personnel roles. The first stage in each continuum is EMT-Basic in the US and elsewhere or Ambulance Technician in the UK. The National Highway Transport and Safety Administration (NHTSA) require a minimum of 110 hours of learning for the EMT-B course. The UK's Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD) require 8 weeks of learning to cover the theory part of the Ambulance Technician course.
So how does a commercial five-day EMT course compare? Quite simply, it can't.
Almost every one of these courses is a re-badged version of the the First Person On Scene – Intermediate (FPOS-I) course. Some EMT course are entirely in-house with no external accreditation or regulation.
Some training providers will include additional skills including intraosseos injection, needle decompression or chest drains. Ask if they will provide any form of indemnity insurance for your actions should you apply any of these advanced skills?
These are high level skills which are intended for experience Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors which take time to perfect and continual practice to retain. As a civilian you will never be able to apply these skills and to do so, even out of necessity, could lead to a criminal conviction. And that is if the casualty survives.
Further Reading: Duty of Care and the Law
So what is the alternative?
For those who want additional skills beyond First Aid at Work look first at the IHCD First Person On Scene course, exactly as it is. It was designed with a syllabus and purpose in mind and fits a range of needs well. It was developed for Community First Responders who required additional skills above First Aid at Work, to provide life saving treatment and the ability stabilise a casualty until they can be hand-over to a Paramedic.
The FPOS-I course has subsequently been rolled out across the majority of UK Fire Brigades and is fast becoming the standard in Advanced First Aid in industry as well as the benchmark course for those who work in security and close protection.
For those who want to develop their skills further and especially for those working or operating in a remote environments, look at the AREMT Emergency Medical Responder or AREMNT EMT-B, which includes internationally recognised registration with the Australasian Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. These are in-depth blended learning programmes including pre-course on-line learning followed by 6 - 10 days of intensive skills training and practical assessment in realistic remote, hostile or wilderness settings.
Neither of these are “EMT†courses but they will give you advanced skills, knowledge and understanding to manage situations, save lives, stabilise casualties and manage injuries and illness to a recognised standard.
Further Reading: What next after FAAW
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@Jamesm, you need to decide what it is you want, if you want to be able to call yourself a Paramedic in the UK and work as one in the UK then you need to do a IHCD Ambulance Tech course followed by Paramedic afterwards in the UK or an AREMT-P course and do the conversion later on through HPC.
If your wanting to work in the Security industry then I'd say do the AREMT route and work your way through that system annually from EMT - to EMT-P so as you gain knowledge and practical experience along the way, once your at AREMT-P level you can call yourself an 'Australian Paramedic' anywhere and no-one will argue the toss with your credentials, also your can go the AREMT website and find out who is approved to provide training and assessments directly from them. I'd also PM M4MED as he has the ability to provide on the run real time ambulance experience through his training programme.
But whatever you do, don't expect a short sollution to present itself to you as there is none for a good reason, lives are at stake.
If your still serving and not signed off then go to your med centre and volunteer for your RMA 3 post and then beg to do a CMT course, it'll save you shed load of cash and you can probably get on an AREMT-P course straight away just fill in your missing chits IHCD equivellent.
But good luck either way buddy, medics are in short supply andare getting their numbers thinned in the UK even more, AREMT-P is more recognised worldwide and accepted by firsevices everywhere if you ever end up short of work then they snap up and EMT-P any day.
If your wanting to work in the Security industry then I'd say do the AREMT route and work your way through that system annually from EMT - to EMT-P so as you gain knowledge and practical experience along the way, once your at AREMT-P level you can call yourself an 'Australian Paramedic' anywhere and no-one will argue the toss with your credentials, also your can go the AREMT website and find out who is approved to provide training and assessments directly from them. I'd also PM M4MED as he has the ability to provide on the run real time ambulance experience through his training programme.
But whatever you do, don't expect a short sollution to present itself to you as there is none for a good reason, lives are at stake.
If your still serving and not signed off then go to your med centre and volunteer for your RMA 3 post and then beg to do a CMT course, it'll save you shed load of cash and you can probably get on an AREMT-P course straight away just fill in your missing chits IHCD equivellent.
But good luck either way buddy, medics are in short supply andare getting their numbers thinned in the UK even more, AREMT-P is more recognised worldwide and accepted by firsevices everywhere if you ever end up short of work then they snap up and EMT-P any day.
guys many thanks for the help and advice,greatly appreciated!!!!!. jonah thanks a lot for the heads up. im already CMT1 with cert EPHC, MIMMS and PHEC (BASICS) and im on my ambi tech conversion course this weekend for 2 weeks,this is like i said IHCD and NHS cross mapped and also run in conjunction with JRCALC guidelines. im looking in to getting out in the near future and i want to get into either CP or remote/maritime medicine. any pointers are greatly appreciated. many thanks again guys. im in debt to you all.
If you haven't been provided with the Amb Tech/Paramedic IHCD Book or any other you may need by your TP then check for ebook versions online and student websites for second hand copies (these can help no end as most still have study notes on for exams) as they are usually cheaper, failing that go to your nearest Uni that does Paramedicine Degree and ask there as £20 dangled infront of a student on a friday will save you £££'s on originals at cost price!
Goodluck
Goodluck
Hi James,
Hopefully, without being biased, I can shed some light on the situation about EMTs as some of the information is completely inaccurate.
Before you believe the hype and criticism about EMT quals, you have to be aware of the types of EMT courses/titles out there on the market. Some you may come across include:
• US National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) / State – Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (Changing to Emergency Medical Technician). This course can be full time, part time or accelerated and anywhere from 2-3 weeks up to a year depending on the format. The course is based on the US Department of Transport (DoT) EMT syllabus. Registration can be at State level or US National Registry. This course requires clinical time in an emergency setting. Slight variations in state requirements exist based on local protocol and as such some states use varying amounts of drugs/medicines and some states require EMT-Bs to go on to complete an IV course.
• Australasian Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (AREMT) – Emergency Medical Technician – Basic. As above. The course often requires pre course study, onsite didactic phase, skills, assessments and a clinical consolidation period. The SOS course for example includes 2 months distance learning a 15 day course, followed by a clinical phase. This is accepted around the world from the hydrocarbon sector, security companies, mines, EMS services, fire services in Iraq, Afghanistan, Latin America, Australia, Africa, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia…. Your scope of practice depends upon your employment, standing orders and protocols set by the individual medical director.
• Private ambulance EMT course – these vary depending upon the ambulance service, their requirements, protocols/standing orders/medical director and could range from 5 days of ambulance aid (like FPOS) (LifeSkills Medical) to 6 weeks comprehensive training (MedicMan, APAP) and I believe Phecta does a similar one. These are regulated and certified internally. Scope of practice depends upon the individual medical director.
• Commercial ´5 day´ EMT courses – Termed as such by training providers. These are the one´s which cause the most discussion, as they are often similar to the First Responder syllabus but as no one regulates EMT as a title, TPs are permitted to call their course (irrespective of how short it is) an EMT course. At the end of the day, if a medical director is willing to accept you (probably as a first aider / first responder) to work within your scope of training/practice, and by employing efficiently the skills you learn on a 5 day course to save lives….where´s the harm (hopefully none done)? The problem arises when 5 day EMTs start calling themselves EMTs and guys who have under taken weeks or months of study and clinical practice with NREMT, AREMT and quality private ambulance courses get a bit upset. Rightly so? Perhaps…but then again, the title is not protected…. And who really cares… as long as the true healthcare professionals know their boundaries as per the scope and stick to them.
• IHCD Ambulance Technician - a 6-8 week course (UK based) which culminates in a level 2 BTEC award (Ambulance aid) until the completion of 750 hours of clinical practice and then subsequently leads to a level 3 BTEC entitled Ambulance Technician. Some National Health Service Trusts call their Ambulance Technicians …..Ambulance Technicians, whilst others grade them and call them EMTs.
• American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Wilderness EMT Upgrade. A bolt on course based on wilderness medicine for already qualified healthcare professionals
• Etc etc
I have completed most of the above and have worked in each environment sufficiently to know that to slate EMTs and EMT courses is a very broad brush statement that in itself means nothing as there are so many different meanings and variations.
Happy to help and answer questions where I can.
You can then progress onto EMT Intermediate (being scrapped by the NREMT) and then EMT-P (Or just paramedic - as per the new NREMT gradings). The NREMT EMT-P, State EMT-P, AREMT EMT-P can be full time, part time, accelerated, as part of a diploma or degree course. Either way, they follow the US Dot syllabus, include clinical practice as part of the training and whilst not recognised in the UK directly, you can apply to the UK HCP for registration via the international reciprocity route the same as any other overseas paramedic, nurse or clinical practitioner would. Each dealt with on a case by case basis, supported by your portfolio of evidence of clinical practice, CPD, syllabus mapped across etc etc - although its a long hard road, it is possible.
Anyway, James, EMTs.......
Keep the faith and stay safe.
M4MED
Hopefully, without being biased, I can shed some light on the situation about EMTs as some of the information is completely inaccurate.
Before you believe the hype and criticism about EMT quals, you have to be aware of the types of EMT courses/titles out there on the market. Some you may come across include:
• US National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) / State – Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (Changing to Emergency Medical Technician). This course can be full time, part time or accelerated and anywhere from 2-3 weeks up to a year depending on the format. The course is based on the US Department of Transport (DoT) EMT syllabus. Registration can be at State level or US National Registry. This course requires clinical time in an emergency setting. Slight variations in state requirements exist based on local protocol and as such some states use varying amounts of drugs/medicines and some states require EMT-Bs to go on to complete an IV course.
• Australasian Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (AREMT) – Emergency Medical Technician – Basic. As above. The course often requires pre course study, onsite didactic phase, skills, assessments and a clinical consolidation period. The SOS course for example includes 2 months distance learning a 15 day course, followed by a clinical phase. This is accepted around the world from the hydrocarbon sector, security companies, mines, EMS services, fire services in Iraq, Afghanistan, Latin America, Australia, Africa, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia…. Your scope of practice depends upon your employment, standing orders and protocols set by the individual medical director.
• Private ambulance EMT course – these vary depending upon the ambulance service, their requirements, protocols/standing orders/medical director and could range from 5 days of ambulance aid (like FPOS) (LifeSkills Medical) to 6 weeks comprehensive training (MedicMan, APAP) and I believe Phecta does a similar one. These are regulated and certified internally. Scope of practice depends upon the individual medical director.
• Commercial ´5 day´ EMT courses – Termed as such by training providers. These are the one´s which cause the most discussion, as they are often similar to the First Responder syllabus but as no one regulates EMT as a title, TPs are permitted to call their course (irrespective of how short it is) an EMT course. At the end of the day, if a medical director is willing to accept you (probably as a first aider / first responder) to work within your scope of training/practice, and by employing efficiently the skills you learn on a 5 day course to save lives….where´s the harm (hopefully none done)? The problem arises when 5 day EMTs start calling themselves EMTs and guys who have under taken weeks or months of study and clinical practice with NREMT, AREMT and quality private ambulance courses get a bit upset. Rightly so? Perhaps…but then again, the title is not protected…. And who really cares… as long as the true healthcare professionals know their boundaries as per the scope and stick to them.
• IHCD Ambulance Technician - a 6-8 week course (UK based) which culminates in a level 2 BTEC award (Ambulance aid) until the completion of 750 hours of clinical practice and then subsequently leads to a level 3 BTEC entitled Ambulance Technician. Some National Health Service Trusts call their Ambulance Technicians …..Ambulance Technicians, whilst others grade them and call them EMTs.
• American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Wilderness EMT Upgrade. A bolt on course based on wilderness medicine for already qualified healthcare professionals
• Etc etc
I have completed most of the above and have worked in each environment sufficiently to know that to slate EMTs and EMT courses is a very broad brush statement that in itself means nothing as there are so many different meanings and variations.
Happy to help and answer questions where I can.
You can then progress onto EMT Intermediate (being scrapped by the NREMT) and then EMT-P (Or just paramedic - as per the new NREMT gradings). The NREMT EMT-P, State EMT-P, AREMT EMT-P can be full time, part time, accelerated, as part of a diploma or degree course. Either way, they follow the US Dot syllabus, include clinical practice as part of the training and whilst not recognised in the UK directly, you can apply to the UK HCP for registration via the international reciprocity route the same as any other overseas paramedic, nurse or clinical practitioner would. Each dealt with on a case by case basis, supported by your portfolio of evidence of clinical practice, CPD, syllabus mapped across etc etc - although its a long hard road, it is possible.
Anyway, James, EMTs.......
Keep the faith and stay safe.
M4MED
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m4med, many thanks and much appreciated. as i said above, i am CMT 1 with PHEC and MIMMS, the reason i asked the question is that i am nearly finished (tomorrow) a course with the univesrity of cumbria and its a level 4 certificate in higher education in ECA and caring for patients in pre hospital and emergency care. we have been APL'd a lot across from the CMT 1 course and other courses. this is, we are told the first year and a half of a 2 years paramedic degree programme. its a new thing within the army and this is a pilot course. it is taught by the university with paramedics assessing us. it is also 120 university credits. the answer i am after is, what can this qual allow me to do in the uk. ive checked with IHCD and their Tech course is at level 3. i just need some advice on what exactly this will allow me to do. many thanks in advance for your reply
Hi James,
Thanks for your reply.
Great news the Army are finally sorting out a route to get medics recognised qualifications.
Whilst the ambulance tech is level 3 and your course is level 4, I imagine this is the difference between clinical training and academic learning and at 'this stage' you would still only be able to practice at ECA level but you can APL certain training modules across to the IHCD Tech course.
Drop me your email and we'll look into it and I'll get one of our staff to discuss the process with you.
All the best
M4MED
Specialist Operational Support - The SOS Group
Thanks for your reply.
Great news the Army are finally sorting out a route to get medics recognised qualifications.
Whilst the ambulance tech is level 3 and your course is level 4, I imagine this is the difference between clinical training and academic learning and at 'this stage' you would still only be able to practice at ECA level but you can APL certain training modules across to the IHCD Tech course.
Drop me your email and we'll look into it and I'll get one of our staff to discuss the process with you.
All the best
M4MED
Specialist Operational Support - The SOS Group
Hello James,
If it is becoming a Paramedic that you are interested in then please message me in private. I am an ex-CMT1 and a HPC Paramedic and I only left a couple of years ago. I will only give you the facts on how to proceed in becoming a UK Paramedic and explore some options with you. I would avoid any kind of International alternatives unless you plan on working in any country that does not have an established healthcare system.
If it is becoming a Paramedic that you are interested in then please message me in private. I am an ex-CMT1 and a HPC Paramedic and I only left a couple of years ago. I will only give you the facts on how to proceed in becoming a UK Paramedic and explore some options with you. I would avoid any kind of International alternatives unless you plan on working in any country that does not have an established healthcare system.