Emergency Medical Response Certification

PURPOSE
This credential documents the essential competencies involved in managing emergency trauma including understanding the physics related to various types of accidents leading to trauma, understanding the special considerations needed for trauma care as a first responder, understanding the characteristics associated with various types of traumatic injuries, assessing a victim with various traumatic injuries and multisystem injuries, and handing a variety of patient types.

AUDIENCE
This credential is appropriate for entry-level EMS workers such as first responders, fire fighters and Emergency Medical Technicians.

JOB/CAREER REQUIREMENTS
 A first responder is anyone who providers emergency care during an emergency before more skilled medical or emergency personnel arrive to the scene. They include firefighters and law enforcement personnel, forest service and park service ranger, and others who work in jobs in which they may encounter an emergency. First responders know more than basic first aid but do not have the advanced training of a trained and certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or paramedic. EMTs must complete a postsecondary educational program as required by each state and typically complete an extensive hands-on externship. They must also be licensed according to state legislation. Firefighters must adhere to the requirements according to the specific jurisdiction and may or may not be trained as an EMT. Paramedics have advanced training and are also licensed by each state. Other professionals have varying degrees of training beyond first aid. Each state has its own limitations for first-responders.  

EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE WORKPLACE TASKS

• Apply an understanding of physics to determine the possible causes, mechanism of injury, and extent of trauma injuries and situations  
• Care for traumatic injury related to each body system and multisystem trauma patients  
• Assess the patient with various types of trauma injuries  
• Care for special population patients such as pregnant women, pediatric patients, geriatric patients, and those who are cognitively impaired  
• Size up an emergency scene to ensure personal safety, safety of the victims of the emergency, and safety of bystanders  
• Follow all legal policies and procedures as dictated by governing agency, community, and state  
• Safety and correctly operate and maintain all vehicles and equipment before, during, and after an emergency run 
• Handle emergencies involving hazardous materials and reduce related risks to all involved in the emergency including bystanders and coworkers as well as maintain self-protection  
• Follow policies and procedures for the safe and effective response to multiple casualty emergencies including staging, triage, transport, and managing other logistics  
• Effectively respond to a variety of types of terrorism including understanding the risks associated with various weapons of mass destruction and biological agents and implementing procedures for caring for victims and bystanders, and maintaining personal safety  
• Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and medical terminology in caring for victims of medical emergencies  
• Work within the established scope of practice for the level of training, skill, and credential  
• Accurately and correctly create the required documentation in any situation using the appropriate method for recording patient information  
• Communicate effectively with patients and their families, coworkers and dispatch, and hospital/providers  
• Use body mechanics effectively to lift, move, and transport victims of emergencies safely including maintaining personal safety  
• Deal with a variety of patient types including those who cannot communicate, those who are hostile or violent, and those who use a different language

EXAM STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Number of Questions in Exam: 190
Total Time: 150 minutes
Overall Passing Score: 70%
(All sections require an individual passing score of 70%)