Superior EMT-Basic class passes practical exams
by Tyler Steinebach
Three Superior students have successfully passed the Emergency Medical Technicians Basic course and the National/State Practical Exam.
Caption: Deann Wilmer, Chris McGillivray, and Kayla Hunt completed the Superior Ambulance Service EMT-Basic course.
Deann Wilmer, Chris McGillivray, and Kayla Hunt completed 150 hours of the coursework and passed the exam last month. By completing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians' written computer test, they can receive national certification.
Deann, who has worked in the medical field since age 16, said she got involved because she loves helping people and she wants to help people get the best possible pre-hospital care.
"The most fun part was having radios to listen to emergency calls and being able to use my knowledge and go on the runs with the ambulance crew, as well as being able to drive the ambulance and feel and see what it is really like out in the field," she said.
Anita Parkin was the lead instructor for the class, sponsored by the Superior Area Ambulance Service. Anita has been licensed in Montana as an EMT-B for 30 years.
We started organizing the course in December, with the classes starting on February 8. Twelve other EMTs from Superior Ambulance, West End QRU, and Saint Regis QRU assisted during the course.
Several other clinical professionals in the community also helped: Dr. Patrick Tufts (Mineral Community Hospital), Dana Austin (physical therapist), Nancy Smith (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), Laurel Chambers (Physician Assistant), Angie Coleman (Surgical Technician) and Dr. Walter L. Kemp (Deputy State Medical Examiner).
The students were exceptional and put in a lot of classroom hours beyond those that were required. They also had to have clinical time; the State Board of Medical Examiners requires 10 patient contacts, preferably in the ambulance with a licensed EMT overseeing their care of the patient. All of the students met or exceeded that requirement. They passed their written exams for the course on June 2 and passed the Class Practicals with flying colors on June 6.
We spent six hours practicing for the Final National/State practical exam. George Humeston, an EMT from Plains Community Ambulance, coordinated the exam on June 26. The students must pass six stations: medical assessment, trauma assessment, ventilating, CPR/AED usage, backboarding, and a random station like splinting, bleeding control, oxygen administration, and airway adjuncts. All three of our Superior students passed their stations to successfully pass the practical exam.
EMTs are a special breed. We are the foot soldiers of the medical field and it is just a very hard job. You learn something new every day with this work.
Deann said she took pride in the accomplishment, which took a lot of hard work and dedication. "I have bettered my education and I can really save a life," she said.
She said that the other students, instructors, St. Regis QRU, West end QRU, and Superior Area Ambulance Crew made the class "a very enjoyable and awesome learning experience."
For information about the next EMT class, contact Tyler Steinebach at 546-5198.
Three Superior students have successfully passed the Emergency Medical Technicians Basic course and the National/State Practical Exam.
Caption: Deann Wilmer, Chris McGillivray, and Kayla Hunt completed the Superior Ambulance Service EMT-Basic course.
Deann Wilmer, Chris McGillivray, and Kayla Hunt completed 150 hours of the coursework and passed the exam last month. By completing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians' written computer test, they can receive national certification.
Deann, who has worked in the medical field since age 16, said she got involved because she loves helping people and she wants to help people get the best possible pre-hospital care.
"The most fun part was having radios to listen to emergency calls and being able to use my knowledge and go on the runs with the ambulance crew, as well as being able to drive the ambulance and feel and see what it is really like out in the field," she said.
Anita Parkin was the lead instructor for the class, sponsored by the Superior Area Ambulance Service. Anita has been licensed in Montana as an EMT-B for 30 years.
We started organizing the course in December, with the classes starting on February 8. Twelve other EMTs from Superior Ambulance, West End QRU, and Saint Regis QRU assisted during the course.
Several other clinical professionals in the community also helped: Dr. Patrick Tufts (Mineral Community Hospital), Dana Austin (physical therapist), Nancy Smith (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), Laurel Chambers (Physician Assistant), Angie Coleman (Surgical Technician) and Dr. Walter L. Kemp (Deputy State Medical Examiner).
The students were exceptional and put in a lot of classroom hours beyond those that were required. They also had to have clinical time; the State Board of Medical Examiners requires 10 patient contacts, preferably in the ambulance with a licensed EMT overseeing their care of the patient. All of the students met or exceeded that requirement. They passed their written exams for the course on June 2 and passed the Class Practicals with flying colors on June 6.
We spent six hours practicing for the Final National/State practical exam. George Humeston, an EMT from Plains Community Ambulance, coordinated the exam on June 26. The students must pass six stations: medical assessment, trauma assessment, ventilating, CPR/AED usage, backboarding, and a random station like splinting, bleeding control, oxygen administration, and airway adjuncts. All three of our Superior students passed their stations to successfully pass the practical exam.
EMTs are a special breed. We are the foot soldiers of the medical field and it is just a very hard job. You learn something new every day with this work.
Deann said she took pride in the accomplishment, which took a lot of hard work and dedication. "I have bettered my education and I can really save a life," she said.
She said that the other students, instructors, St. Regis QRU, West end QRU, and Superior Area Ambulance Crew made the class "a very enjoyable and awesome learning experience."
For information about the next EMT class, contact Tyler Steinebach at 546-5198.