ROLE IN PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES:

While the primary responsibility of the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) is to provide ongoing Basic Life Support (BLS), the AEMT can provide limited advanced levels of emergency medical care. The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician contains the same skill set and knowledge level as the EMT, but their curriculum expands in many areas, especially anatomy and physiology. The AEMT level was created by the NREMT to standardize the fractured curriculum of the previously recognized Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I). One main difference in the role of the AEMT from the EMT is their ability to start intravenous access on patients who need IV medications. The AEMT operates under medical oversight and is responsible for treating and transporting the critically ill patient to the emergency department.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

To be eligible for licensure as an AEMT, the student must successfully complete an accredited Advanced Emergency Medical Technician course. These are typically held at community colleges across the country. After completion of an approved program, the AEMT candidate can sit for the NREMT written and practical exams. Once the candidate has passed both the NREMT written and practical examinations, they are then Nationally Registered Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (NRAEMT).

MEDICATIONS:

The AEMT can deliver the medications allowed by their state and local protocols in accordance with those set forth by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). In addition to the EMT level those medications include:

• IV Normal Saline
• IV Lactated Ringers
• Nitroglycerine (sub-lingual for cardiac chest pain)
• Epinephrine (SQ or IM for anaphylaxis)
• IV Dextrose 50% for hypoglycemia
• IV Glucagon for hypoglycemia
• Inhaled medications for dyspnea and wheezing (i.e. Albuterol, Ipratropium Bromide)
• Narcotic Antagonist (Naloxone)
• Nitrous Oxide for pain relief/management

SKILL SET:

In addition to providing first aid, CPR, and Basic Life Support, the AEMT is proficient in providing limited advanced emergency medical care, including but not limited to intravenous access. The AEMT is also integral in providing transportation of the ill and injured to the emergency department.