An EMT refresher is a course designed to provide students with a refresher on basic medical topics relevant to practice as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, or first responder. It is aimed at qualified EMTs or people with recently lapsed EMT qualifications. The course may also provide updated information on updated standards and protocols, allowing EMTs to provide care that meets the most recent medical community standards. EMT refreshers are available at a variety of locations for varying prices, and in some cases, an EMT’s employer will cover the cost of the course and materials.
EMTs are required to participate in continuing education in many parts of the world in order to keep their certifications. Most regions require a certain number of hours of training per year to keep EMT skills up to date and sharp. An EMT refresher course meets the hours requirement and has a syllabus that meets the government’s requirements for the types of topics to be covered.
An EMT refresher course assumes that students are familiar with the knowledge that all EMTs must have and does not provide remedial training. Classroom work and opportunities to practice basic protocols are usually included in most courses. The course usually concludes with an exam that tests students’ skills and knowledge to ensure that they got the most out of the course. If a student receives a failing grade on the test, he or she may need to retake the EMT refresher.
Students can also choose to take additional continuing education and refresher training in addition to the government-mandated hours. A trained EMT, for example, might enroll in an advanced extrication course to learn how to remove victims from car accidents and evacuate people from various dangerous situations. While extrication skills are not required, they can help an EMT do his or her job more effectively and may increase employability, particularly in rural areas where there are a limited number of EMTs available and having additional skills is seen as a major advantage.
Students should ensure that an EMT refresher course meets government standards for continuing education before enrolling. If they are unsure, they can contact the agency that oversees EMT training and certification to inquire about the specific course they want to take. EMTs should also check to see if they can receive credit for professional development activities like attending EMT conferences, presenting papers at conferences or in journals, and so on.