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EMS Training Levels In Alaska
Revised 6/6/2005

Mike Branum, EMS Training Coordinator
Telephone: (907) 465-5467
Email: michael_branum@health.state.ak.us


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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