Seven 68W Combat Medics graduated from the new Advanced Emergency Medical Technician course that is currently being conducted at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center June 4. The program is one of only two U.S. Army installations that are currently offering the course.
The 68W Combat Medics are required to maintain their certification as a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician and this means that the soldier medic must recertify every two years with 72 hours of continuing education units through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians which is the national certifying organization for all EMTs in the United States.
The Advanced EMT course affords the Soldier the opportunity to elevate their certification to the next level with paramedic being the highest level of EMS certification that can be obtained.
EAMC trains all components of the military at the Combat Medic Training Center at Fort Gordon.
The Advanced EMT course is typically offered at a technical school for a 15-week semester but the course at the EAMC Combat Medic Training Center consist of six weeks of intensive didactic, psychomotor skills, and clinical rotations in multiple areas such as the ambulance, emergency room, and the operating room wrapped up into a 210-hour course.
The soldiers are trained in all aspects of prehospital emergency medicine to the most current standards of care that include advanced airway management, intravenous and intraosseus insertion, and medication administration.
"This is our third Advanced EMT course here at Eisenhower and as instructors we are extremely proud of our medics' ambition to enter into a higher level of medical care and the dedication that these soldiers demonstrate toward the Army's mission," said Melissa Wadford, the programs course coordinator.
"This is the future of EMS in the Army, a highly trained medic that has critical decision making ability in any situation that may come their way. We must embrace this and encourage each medic to continue their education process."
The 68W Combat Medic is an integral part of the Army healthcare team that serves not only active duty military families, but our retirees, and the surrounding community.
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