EMS 2659C - Paramedic Field Internship

College of Health Sciences

Credit(s): 7
Contact Hours: 284
Effective Term Fall 2018 (550)

Requisites

(Admission to Emergency Medical Services (Associate in Science) (EMS-AS) or
Admission to Paramedic (Certificate with Financial Aid Eligibility) (PMED-CT)) and
Prerequisite EMS 2601 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite EMS 2601L with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite EMS 2602 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite EMS 2602L with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite EMS 2664 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite EMS 2665 with a minimum grade of C and
Pre- or Co-requisite Current Florida EMT certification and
Pre- or Co-requisite Current AHA BLS Provider

Course Description

This course is the capstone field internship phase. In the prehospital field setting under the guidance of an approved field paramedic preceptor, the student will utilize the application of all skills related to paramedic theory and psychomotor skills presented in Phase I and Phase II. This course aligns with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Paramedic: National EMS Education Standards, the Florida Department of Education Standards and in accordance with F.S. 401.2701 and Florida Administrative Code 64J-1.020.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. Principles of Safely Operating a Ground Ambulance- the student will demonstrate a simple depth and foundational breadth of knowledge concerning the risks and responsibilities of transport by:
    1. discussing the importance of performing regular vehicle and equipment inspection.
    2. explaining the importance of completing an ambulance equipment supply checklist.
    3. describing the general provisions of Florida laws relating to the operation of the ambulance and privileges.
    4. discussing the lawful use of emergency lights and sirens.
    5. discussing “Due Regard for Safety of All Others” while operating an emergency vehicle.
    6. providing examples of some high risk situations and hazards that may affect the safety of the ambulance and its passengers during both pre-transport and transport.
    7. identifying current local and state standards which influence ambulance design, equipment requirements and staffing of ambulances.
    8. explaining high-risk situations and hazards that may affect the safety of the ambulance and its passengers.
    9. discussing considerations that are required for ensuring scene safety, including personal safety, patient safety, and traffic control.
    10. identifying the dangers to consider when operation an ambulance in the emergency mode.
    11. discussing the guidelines for operating an ambulance safely during emergency and non-emergency transportation.
    12. listing the safety precautions required when using an escort.
  2. Incident Management- the student will demonstrate a complex depth and comprehensive breadth of knowledge regarding the establishing and working within the incident management system by:
    1. explaining the need for the incident management system.
    2. defining the term disaster management.
    3. discuss the importance of National Incident Management System (NIMS).
    4. describing the functional components of the incident management system in terms of the following: command, finance, logistics, operations and planning.
    5. differentiating between singular and unified command and when each is most applicable.
    6. describing the role of command.
    7. explaining the need for transfer of command and procedures for transferring it.
    8. listing the functions of the following groups and leaders in Incident Command System (ICS) as it pertains to EMS incidents: safety, logistics, rehabilitation, staging, treatment, triage, transportation, extrication/rescue, morgue, and communications.
    9. describing the techniques used to allocate patients to hospitals and track them.
    10. listing the physical and psychological signs of critical incident stress.
    11. explaining the organizational benefits for having standard operating procedures for using the incident management system or incident command system.
  3. Multiple Casualty Incidents (MCI)- the student will demonstrate a simple depth and foundational breadth of knowledge for performing triage, re-triage, destination decisions and post traumatic and cumulative stress by:
    1. defining the term multiple causality incident.
    2. describing essential elements of scene size-up when arriving at a potential MCI.
    3. explaining the role of the rescuers and EMS systems in planning for MCIs and disasters.
    4. describe the role of the physician at a multiple casualty incident.
    5. defining triage and describe the principles of triage.
    6. listing the START steps for initial triage.
    7. differentiating between primary and secondary triage.
    8. explaining how to allocate patients to hospitals and track them.
    9. describing the essential equipment to provide logistical support to MCI operations, including but not limited to: airway, respiratory and hemorrhage control, burn management, and patient packaging/immobilization.
  4. Air Medical- the student will demonstrate a complex depth and comprehensive breadth concerning Air Medical transport risks, needs and advantages by:
    1. explaining the advantages and disadvantages of air medical transport.
    2. identifying appropriate reasons for the use of air medical for emergency patient transport.
    3. describing the risks involved with the use of air medical transport.
  5. Vehicle Extrication- the student will demonstrate a simple depth and breadth of knowledge for safe vehicle extrication and use of simple hand tools by:
    1. describing the role of the rescuer in patient rescue and vehicle extrication.
    2. describing personal and patient safety during vehicle extrication.
    3. discussing the factors related to ensuring situational safety at the site of a vehicle extrication.
    4. explaining the difference between simple access and complex access in vehicle extrication.
    5. explaining patient care considerations related to assisting with rapid extrication, providing emergency care to the trapped patient and removing and transferring a patient.
    6. discussing the use of simple hand tools used for vehicle extrication.
    7. identifying the effects of traffic flow on the highway rescue incident including limited access superhighways and regular access highways
    8. listing the hazards associated with the following auto/truck components: energy absorbing bumpers, air bag/supplemental restraint systems, catalytic converters and conventional fuel systems, stored energy, and alternate fuel systems.
    9. describing methods for emergency stabilization using rope, cribbing, jacks, spare tire, and come-a-longs.
    10. identifying the electrical hazards commonly found at highway incidents
    11. differentiating between tempered and safety glass, identify their location(s) on a vehicle and how to break it safely.
    12. explaining typical door anatomy and methods to access through stuck doors.
    13. explaining SRS or “airbag” systems and methods to neutralize them.
  6. Hazardous Materials- the student will demonstrate a simple depth and breadth of knowledge regarding the risks and responsibilities of operating in a cold zone at a hazardous material or other special incident by:
    1. identifying decontamination and treatment information, including but not limited to the following: poison control center, medical control, material safety data sheets (MSDS), reference textbooks, computer databases (CAMEO), CHEMTREC, technical specialists and agency for toxic substances and disease registry.
    2. differentiating between primary and secondary contamination risk.
    3. defining the following routes of exposure: topical, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and parenteral.
    4. explaining how the substance and route of contamination alters triage and decontamination methods.
    5. listing the common signs, symptoms and treatment for the following substances: corrosives, pesticides, chemical asphyxiates, and hydrocarbon solvents.
    6. identifying local facilities and resources capable of treating patients exposed to hazardous materials.
    7. selecting the appropriate level of PPE to include: types, application, use and limitations, and use of chemical compatibility chart.
    8. explaining decontamination procedures.
  7. Terrorism & Disaster Induced Mass Casualty: the student will demonstrate a simple depth and breadth of risks and responsibilities of operating on the scene of a natural or man-made disaster by:
    1. defining the different types of terrorism.
    2. discussing the function of the National Terrorism Advisory System.
    3. explaining factors to consider when responding to a terrorist situation.
    4. discussing important actions to take at the scene of a terrorist event such as: scene safety, personal protection, notification procedures, available resources, working with in the command system.
    5. listing the main categories of weapons of mass destruction.
    6. differentiating between the different types of chemical agents and their signs and symptoms.
    7. discussing the treatment and management of patients exposed to various types of chemical agents.
    8. listing the different types of radiations and their effect on the human body.
    9. comparing a radiologic dispersal device and a dirty bomb.
    10. explaining medical treatment and management of a patient who was exposed to radiation.

Criteria Performance Standard

The student, under the direct paramedic supervision, will submit documentation of a minimum of 240 pre-hospital hours as well as minimum clinical competencies as established by CoAEMSP.. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 100% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through clinical competency-based education measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 10/24/00,DBT 11/21/00, Eff I, 2001 (20011). C&I 9/13/05, BOT 10/18/05, Effective 20052(0360). Flexible access approved 4-2006. 2007 3-year review. C&I Approval: 03/25/2008, BOT Approval: 05/16/2008, Effective Term: Fall 2008 (400).
C&I Approval: 02/09/2018, BOT Approval: 04/17/2018, Effective Term: Fall 2018 (550)

Related Programs

  1. Emergency Medical Services (EMS-AS) (640) (Active)
  2. Paramedic (PMED-CT) (615) (Active)
  3. Paramedic Applied Technology Diploma (PARASW-AR) (615) (Active)
  4. Paramedic Career Certificate (PARACSW-AR) (615) (Active)