| ETT
The
Emergency Trauma Technician training program is 40 hours in length
and teaches the basics of emergency medical care. The course has
evolved considerably since it was first developed in Southeast Alaska
for use in logging camps. Courses are taught by certified instructors
and occur throughout the state. The ETT course can be modified to
meet the particular needs of the students or community.
EMT-I
The Emergency Medical Technician-I is equivalent to the National
Standard EMT-Basic, as described in the United States Department
of Transportation (USDOT) curriculum, revised in 1994, excluding
the use of advanced airway devices. The EMT provides basic life
support such as splinting, hemorrhage control, oxygen therapy, suction,
CPR and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Clearly,
most treatment procedures performed in any EMS System, regardless
of level, are basic life support procedures. Mastery of EMT-I level
knowledge and techniques must occur before moving to an EMT-II level
of certification. Basic skills should be maintained regardless of
certification level. Under the direct or indirect authorization
of a physician, an EMT-I may assist with the administration of the
patient's own epinephrine autoinjector, nitroglycerin, or hand held
bronchodilator inhaler. The use of a manual external defibrillator
requires separate certification as a Defibrillator Technician. The
EMT-I course is at least 120 hours in length and CPR certification
is a prerequisite.
Defibrillator
Technician
It is widely recognized that early defibrillation provides the best
chance of survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Alaska law
allows anyone who is "properly trained" to use an automated
external defibrillator. EMT-I personnel may also be authorized to
use manual defibrillators by taking an additional 16 hours of training
and becoming certified as a defibrillator technician. Manual defibrillation
remains classified as an advanced life support procedure and defibrillator
technicians are required to have physician medical directors and
typically operate in locations with access to advanced cardiac life
support, including endotracheal intubation and lidocaine.
EMT-II
The Emergency Medical Technician II level exceeds the National Standard
Training Program EMT-Intermediate, developed by the USDOT in 1985.
The EMT-II class is at least 50 hours in length and prepares the
student to initiate intravenous lines and administer fluids and
certain medications. A person must have ten patient contacts as
an EMT-I in order to be enter an EMT-II training program. Certification
as an EMT-II also requires that the individual be under the sponsorship
of a department approved physician medical director.
EMT-III
The EMT-III program is designed to add basic cardiac care skills
to those the EMT has learned already. Also included in the training
program is the use of morphine, lidocaine, atropine, and epinephrine.
The EMT-III training program is at least 50 hours in length. A person
must have ten patient contacts and ten venipunctures as an EMT-II
in order to be enter an EMT-III training program. As with the EMT-II,
certification requires that the individual be under the sponsorship
of a department approved physician medical director.
MICP
Mobile Intensive Care Paramedics are licensed by the Alaska Department
of Commerce and Economic Development. The training is in excess
of the EMT-III level and MICPs function under the direct or indirect
supervision (standing orders, etc.) of a physician. Generally, paramedics
are found in the most populous areas of Alaska, including Anchorage,
Fairbanks, Kenai, Soldotna, Nikiski, Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan.
In some of these communities, all pre-hospital emergency medical
care is provided by Mobile Intensive Care Paramedics. In others,
the MICP may act as a supervisor or EMS director.
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