Traditional EMT Initial Course | University-Hospital-EMSI

Lifesaving Skills for Medical Professionals

EMT Initial Course

Overview:

This program follows the Ohio Department of Public Safety – Division of EMS (ODPS-EMS) requirements and prepares students to take both the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor examinations. Students will be trained through classroom lectures, hands-on labs, high-fidelity simulation, and supervised clinical/field experience in real emergency care environments.

Schedule & Location:

This course is delivered through in-person instruction at the University Hospitals' training facilities. Specific course dates, days, and times are listed on the registration page for each offering.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

Perform comprehensive patient assessments and provide appropriate interventions across all age groups and emergency types (trauma, cardiac, respiratory, medical, obstetric/pediatric).
Demonstrate competence in airway management, basic medication administration, shock control, hemorrhage control, wound management, and other foundational pre-hospital procedures.
Operate safely and effectively within the EMS system, including ambulance operations, scene size-up, communication protocols, documentation standards, and interagency coordination.
Apply professionalism, ethics, teamwork, cultural sensitivity, and patient-centered care under medical oversight.
Meet all competency and hour requirements for state EMT certification eligibility and the National Registry exam process.

Course Structure

This program meets or exceeds Ohio’s EMT initial certification curriculum and includes:

Didactic Instruction

Anatomy & physiology
EMS systems and communications
Patient assessment
Medical and trauma emergencies
Cardiac, respiratory, pediatric, and obstetric care
EMS operations, safety, and legal/ethical responsibilities

Hands-On Training

Interactive skills labs
High-fidelity simulation scenarios
Realistic decision-making and teamwork modules

Clinical & Field Experience

Supervised emergency department clinical rotations
EMS agency ride-alongs to meet required patient contact hours
Skills verification and psychomotor competency checks

This combined format ensures students gain the knowledge, physical skills, and real-world exposure needed for safe entry-level practice.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

Be 17 years old and a current high school senior.
Have a valid driver’s license or equivalent ID.
Meet any agency or clinical site affiliation requirements.
Complete required health clearance, including immunizations (TB, tetanus, MMR, Hepatitis B), and any criminal history statement or drug screening as required by clinical partners.
Submit all required paperwork, clinical documentation, and fees before the course start date.

Certification Eligibility

Upon successful completion of all didactic hours, clinical/field rotations, skills testing, and final examinations, students will be eligible to:

Sit for the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor exams
Apply for Ohio EMT certification through the Ohio EMS Board
Transition directly into employment with EMS agencies, fire departments, hospitals, or industrial rescue teams

Career Pathways

Graduates are prepared for entry-level EMT positions in: