NATIONAL CERTIFICATION/PARTICIPATION COURSES
ACLS PROVIDER
This sixteen-hour course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate and manage the first ten minutes of an adult ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) arrest. Providers are expected to learn to manage ten core ACLS cases: a respiratory emergency, four types of cardiac arrest (simple VF/VT, complex VF/VT, PEA, and asystole), four types of pre-arrest emergencies (bradychardia, stable tachycardia, unstable tachycardia, and acute coronary syndromes), and stroke.
BASIC LIFE SUPPORT HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
The BLS Healthcare Provider Course is designed to teach the skills of CPR for victims of all ages (including ventilation with a barrier device, a bag-mask device, and oxygen); use of an automated external defibrillator (AED); and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (FBOA). It is intended for participants who provide heath care to patients in a wide variety of settings, including in-hospital and out-of-hospital. This course is for certified or noncertified, licensed or nonlicensed healthcare professionals.
BASIC TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT
This course covers Basic Trauma Life Support according to the standards of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Information is presented in lectures, demonstrations, and small group workshops/skill stations that allow participants to update their clinical expertise and learn new skills. The program is comprised of twenty hours of graphic instruction broken down into lectures and practical true-to-life trauma scenario.
CPR FOR FAMILY & FRIENDS
The CPR for Family and Friends course is a modular course that teaches rescuers skills in CPR and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction. It presents information about the AHA adult Chain of Survival and signs of heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke and choking in adults. The course also presents information on the AHA pediatric infant and child Chain of Survival, signs of choking in infants and children, prevention of sudden infant death syndrome, and prevention of the most common fatal injuries in infants and children.
CPR IN SCHOOLS
The Heartsaver CPR in Schools course is designed to teach both adult and pediatric lay rescuer CPR to middle or high school students. The course presents information about the AHA adult and infant/child Chain of Survival, and signs of heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, and choking in adults. The course also covers signs of choking in infants and children, prevention of sudden infant death syndrome, and prevention of the most common fatal injuries in infants and children.
FIRST AID IN THE WORKPLACE
What To Do In The First Five Minutes is a complete program that shifts the focus of training back to basic first-aid procedures. The four-hour course emphasizes the need-to-know skills and materials required to render emergency treatment for specific illnesses and injuries. Every illness or injury is presented via an introduction, skill objectives, danger signals, signs and symptoms, treatment steps and real-life responses. This course can also include the four-hour adult CPR module.
HEARTSAVER FIRST AID
This course is designed to provide the skills to furnish temporary patient assistance and care until professional medical care is provided. Cost does not include a textbook.
HEARTSAVER AED
The Heartsaver AED Course teaches the basic techniques of adult CPR and the use of an AED. Students also learn about using barrier devices in CPR and giving first aid for choking. The course teaches how to recognize the signs of four major emergencies: heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest, and foreign-body airway obstruction.
HEARTSAVER AED WITH PEDIATRIC CPR
This course teaches how to recognize and treat life-threatening emergencies, including cardiac arrest and choking for adult, child, and infant victims.
HEARTSAVER CPR WITH AED
This course utilizes the standard Heartsaver CPR course and adds AED skills.
HEARTSAVER CPR
The Heartsaver CPR course is a modular course that teaches lay rescuers how to recognize and treat life-threatening emergencies, including cardiac arrest and choking for adult, child, and infant victims. Students also learn to recognize the warning signs of heart attack and stroke in adults and breathing difficulties in children. The program is divided into a choice of three different courses.
HEARTSAVER CPR FOR ALL AGES
Teaches CPR and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction in the adult, infant and child. Heartsaver CPR for Adults: teaches CPR and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction for the adult. Heartsaver CPR for Infants and Children: teaches CPR and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction for infants (birth to one year of age) and children (one year to eight years of age).
PEDIATRIC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (PALS)
The goal of the Pediatric Advanced Life Support course is to provide the learner with (1) information needed to recognize infants and children at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest; (2) information and strategies needed to prevent cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children; and (3) the cognitive and psychomotor skills needed to resuscitate and stabilize infants and children in respiratory failure, shock, or cardiopulmonary arrest.
PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY ASSESSMENT, RECOGNITION, AND STABILIZATION (PEARS)
AHA has created the new Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS) course. This course is offered to EMTs and paramedics who infrequently see critically ill children and prepares students to Assess-Categorize-Decide-Act to stabilize the child and contact the next level of care early.
The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge of and proficiency in CPR and has developed instructional material for this purpose. Although these courses are not sponsored by any AHA component, some or all materials utilized by the faculty or students may be Heart Association materials supplied on a cost basis. Any fees charged for these courses do not represent income to the Association.
EMERGENCY SERVICE/ HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSES
ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT (ACLS) INSTRUCTOR
The purpose of an ACLS Instructor Course is to develop proficiency in teaching, organizing and conducting an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Provider course.
BASIC CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT (CPR) INSTRUCTOR
The purpose of the BCLS instructor course is to provide the opportunity and forum to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to fairly and accurately instruct and test potential Basic Life Support (CPR) Providers.
EMS INSTRUCTOR
Emergency Medical Services Instructor is a course designed to prepare students to teach in the dynamic field of pre-hospital emergency care. Students explore educational psychology and teaching strategies. Students discuss and practice various aspects of teaching in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. Students can practice oral and practical lessons with each other, offering feedback on the effectiveness of their lessons. Students learn strategies of dealing with both the problem and the exceptional student. An update of new information in EMS is explored.
PEDIATRIC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (PALS) INSTRUCTOR
The purpose of a PALS Instructor course is to develop proficiency in teaching, organizing and conducting a Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider course.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COURSES
BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS - OSHA EDUCATION PROGRAM
This program is designed to introduce the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Blood Borne Pathogen Standard and the effects it has on EMS task performance. Content includes information on blood-borne pathogens, the measures needed to protect EMS providers from blood-borne pathogens and the actions a provider should take if he or she thinks exposure has occurred.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDER (EMR)
The First Responder Training Program is based upon the course designed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This course was developed to provide training in Emergency Medical Care for those who are apt to be the first person to arrive at an accident or emergency scene by nature of their vocation or avocation. While emergency care is not likely to be the first responder's primary responsibility, the first responder should know the basic principles of emergency medical care, so the initial steps in assessment of injuries and treatment of life-threatening emergencies may be initiated while other medical help is en route to the scene. The First Responder Training Program was specifically designed to integrate the role of the first responder with the duties of the members of the emergency medical response teams. This integration course enables the first responder and the EMT to work closely together, each knowing the abilities and limitations of the other trained personnel.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN-BASIC
This course provides a basic foundation in pre-hospital emergency medical services. Students must be sixteen years of age or older. The program is typically presented in thirty-four three-hour sessions, as follows: 129 total hours, 65 practical and 64 lectures. Upon successful completion of the program, the student receives certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Health as an EMT. (Valid for three years).
EMS CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (Department) developed and adopted regulations, effective September 2, 1995, to facilitate implementation of Act 1994-82 (Act 82) amendments to the Emergency Medical Services Act 35 P.S. Section 6921-6938. In part, these regulations prescribe the continuing education requirements for prehospital personnel to satisfy when continuing education is employed as a route for recertification. They also prescribe the continuing education requirements that must be satisfied to maintain medical command authorization.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN–PARAMEDIC
This course provides understanding of the purpose and objectives of clinical treatments. As students are instructed in the theoretical practice of emergency medicine, they participate in various supervised clinical experiences. The curriculum of the paramedic training program meets or exceeds the minimum training requirements as established by the United States Department of Transportation in the EMT/Paramedic: National Standard Curriculum. Textbooks and NREMT examination fees are not included. Prerequisites: age 18, high school or GED diploma, valid PA EMT certification, and valid Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers card. Paramedic students must complete and/or provide verification of the following prior to admission: registration form, payment, current PA EMT certification, current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification,high school diploma or GED, malpractice liability insurance, ALS service internship, physical examination, Hepatitis B vaccine or waiver, TB testing, PA DOH criminal history form.
PARAMEDIC REFRESHER
This course is required for paramedics seeking to fulfill the NREMT's 56-hour continuing education requirement.
RESCUE & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COURSES
BASIC VEHICLE RESCUE
The Vehicle Rescue Training Module is part of a comprehensive rescue training program designed to be presented to those personnel responsible for patient rescue. This Vehicle Rescue Module is designed as a single module of instruction in an overall rescue training program and, as such, this module helps prepare the student for other special rescue modules by introducing a wide variety of tools and equipment associated with the rescue service. In addition, this module introduces the student to hazard recognition and control as well as personal protective clothing, equipment and attitudes. The student learns about command and operational compliance requirements of the rescue service. While this module is introduced as a part of a total rescue training program, it is also constructed in such a manner as to be a free-standing course of instruction. This module contains all material necessary to meet the needs of fire, rescue and ambulance services currently providing for vehicle rescue operations on our highways. While not intended to replace the automobile extrication segments of our Emergency Medical Technician Training Programs, this module is designed in such a manner so as to augment these training programs. This module may also be used to expand the skills and knowledge taught in Emergency Medical Technician Programs. While not teaching patient care, i.e., medical treatment, this program provides those rescue personnel who have no formal medical training with a strong orientation to patient-related rescue. It is the intent of this module to stress that the needs of the injured patient are to be met first, not the needs of the fire or rescue of medical personnel. The Vehicle Rescue Training Module places emphasis upon the development of knowledge and skills to be used by rescue personnel to achieve a safe and efficient vehicle rescue operation. The Vehicle Rescue Training Module mixes a combination of classroom lectures with field situation demonstrations and provides each student the opportunity to practice the skills taught under the guidance and supervision of qualified vehicle rescue instructors.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS-FIRST RESPONDER-AWARENESS
This course is designed to enable the student to contribute to the reduction of the harm created by hazardous materials emergencies. The course is designed to develop the basic skills to identify a hazardous materials problem in the communities, recognize hazardous materials presence, and identify the specific hazardous materials and associated hazard characteristics.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - OPERATIONS–EMS
This course trains the EMS Responder in the knowledge and skill areas required of EMS personnel at the Operations Level for Hazardous Materials Response. It has been reviewed and approved by the Community College of Allegheny County for this purpose. The course is heavily oriented toward EMS personnel.
EMERGENCY SERVICES COURSES
Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC)
Lecture and discussion on emergency vehicle accidents, including VFIS loss statistics. Contains motivational exercises, details, physical and mental need for the course. Student receives "hands on" instruction on a driving range and must demonstrate skill proficiency.
INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
This course describes and explains the basic concepts of emergency management and deals with a system by which these concepts can be applied to a wide variety of emergency incidents. Although the course is taught principally from the fire service perspective, attendance would benefit any emergency responder who must work under an ICS in response to any type of emergency.
The sixteen-hour program is conducted by John P. Rock via lecture, slide presentations, films and practical scenarios. Areas to be discussed include the following: Why street survival is important, levels of awareness, armed encounter in vehicle, domestic encounters, bar room situations, booby traps, bombs, weapons, self defense tactics and Pennsylvania law and unarmed self defense for EMS personnel.
Each semester's schedule is not limited to the listed training. All training is dependent on minimum enrollment requirements. Each semester's schedule is subject to change. Course fees are subject to change. Third-party funding sources may be available for costs associated with training. Emergency Medical Technician - Basic may be offered at a Penn State Fayette site location. Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic Training has a minimum of a two semester schedule. All applicants are required to complete registration process prior to the start date of training. Prerequisites may be required for some training.