Curriculum

Over the past 30 years, the development of Emergency Medical Services Systems has significantly improved the quality of care provided to victims of injury or illness in the out-of-hospital setting. CEM has developed an educational program for Emergency Medical Technicians, which prepares graduates to meet the increasing demands of out-of-hospital care, and prepares them for future training as paramedics.

Professionals in the field of emergency medicine have developed the CEM Emergency Medical Technician program to provide students with the cognitive knowledge, psychomotor skills and values necessary to develop as an entry level medical professional. As part of the EMT program, students are required to participate in didactic and psychomotor skills sessions. The curriculum is designed to involve students in all components of the program concurrently. This enables EMT students to master theory and practical applications quickly.

The didactic material provides the foundation for understanding the purpose and objectives of clinical treatments. This philosophy provides the rationale for the development of a comprehensive classroom curriculum. CEM maintains an extensive array of training manikins, models and equipment specifically for the practice of the psychomotor skills involved in providing quality patient care. The Center also takes advantage of the latest technology for educational purposes. At the Center for Emergency Medicine we maintain a state-of-the-art computer laboratory with the latest educational software and Internet access.

The Center’s course of study meets or exceeds all of the minimum national and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania training requirements. Upon graduation from the program, the students will be eligible take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Examination.

Outcomes Assessment

2020 2021 2022 Our 3-year average National 3-year average
Attempted the Exam

137

 154

157

448
NREMT CBT First Attempt

82%

 73% 80% 78%

68%
NREMT CBT Within 3 Attempts 88% 84% 87%

86%

80%

Course Requirements:

  • In order to be successful in this course and be eligible to complete testing for the National Registry certification, the students must:
    • Be at least 18 years of age by the start date of the course
    • Have access to a computer with internet capabilities and a printer
    • Complete each exam with a grade of 70% or better
      • Students will have the opportunity to re-take each exam to earn the necessary score
    • Obtain an AHA Basic Life Support Provider certification
      • Students will attain this certification during the course
    • Complete the HAZMAT Awareness Course
      • Students will attain this certification during the course
    • Complete NIMS 100 and 700 training
      • Students will attain these certifications online and independently during the course
    • Complete 10 patient contacts
      • Students will complete these patient contacts during the course

In accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania EMS training guidelines, the student must possess the sensory acuity and the physical ability to perform all of the diagnostic, therapeutic, and communication functions of an Emergency Medical Technician. Please contact EMS West for a Functional Job Description of the Emergency Medical Technician and a detailed list of the sensory and physical requirements for the Emergency Medical Technician course.

The Center for Emergency Medicine is accredited through the Pennsylvania Department of Health as Basic Life Support and an Advanced Life Support Training Institute through September 30, 2025.

For more information contact: cemclasses@upmc.edu