Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
MD Program
  • EMS Institute Data

EMS Institute Data

Course Details

    The Emergency Medical Technician Course (EMT) is scheduled to meet in a hybrid model. Course lengths vary based on course design. The online education will be conducted via MyBradyLab (online learning) and other platforms including Canvas and Zoom.  Practical skill sessions are held onsite at The Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania Jordan Medical Education Center, 5th floor which is located at 3400 Civic Center Blvd. 

Course Description

    The EMT course meets the National EMS Education Standards published guidelines as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of EMS. The curriculum provides the student with in-depth knowledge and skill-based training to appropriately assess, stabilize, monitor, and transport pre-hospital patients. Students are required to spend time in the clinical setting at one of the three (3) University of Pennsylvania Health System Hospitals. Students successfully completing this course may sit for the National Registry practical and didactic exams. To be certified as an EMT in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the student must meet the following qualifications.

  • Complete an application for EMT certification through an electronic process.
  • Is at least 16 years of age.
  • Successfully completed an approved EMT course (this course).
  • Current CPR certification (which is provided for you).
  • Have passed the appropriate National Registry tests.
Course Objectives

    At the completion of this class, the student should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply and evaluate the clinical information relative to their role as an entry-level EMT.
  2. Master all aspects of basic human physiology and pathophysiology required to be an effective EMT.
  3. Recognize the nature and seriousness of a patient’s condition or extent of injury to assess the need for emergency medical care.
  4. Administer appropriate emergency medical care based upon their assessment of the patient.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of emergency response in all facets of the emergency medical system.
  6. Function within the national and state guidelines and protocols as an EMT.
  7. Be able to perform all physical skills required of an EMT and additionally be able to lift, move, position, splint, or otherwise treat and move a patient all down while minimizing patient comfort and preventing any further injury.
  8. Be able to perform duties safely and effectively in austere conditions.
  9. Understand the integration of the various segments of the EMS system and how it interacts with various public and private sectors.
  10. Understand the ethical, moral, and legal issues associated with emergency response and be able to apply these concepts within the context of expected behavior.
Course Leadership

 

Program Data

    The below data encapsulates the success of the PSOM EMT course since its inception in 2019. The PSOM EMT program has achieved a 90% first time pass rate for the psychomotor exam and a 99% first time pass rate on the cognitive exam since 2019. This is an exemplary success rate, especially when compared to the first time passing rate of 68% amongst all Pennsylvania programs. Comparing this data to all Pennsylvania EMT programs reveals that the PSOM EMT program has consistently delivered a program that promotes highly engaged students and faculty in a creative setting using a wide array of educational programs and applications. This program prides itself on fostering strong student-faculty relationships while providing state of the art EMT education.

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine - EMT Program
  2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Number of Students Enrolled  10 0 7 18 30
Number of Students Graduated 10 0 7 17 30
Number of 1st Attempt Pass - Psychomotor Exam 10 0 7 15 25
Number of 1st Attempt Pass - Cognitive Exam 10 0 7 15 26
Overall pass no more than 2 attempts - Psychomotor Exam 10 0 7 17 30
Overall pass no more than 2 attempts - Cognitive Exam 10 0 7 16 27
EMS Equipment Loan Request

Penn faculty and staff may request to borrow the EMS program equipment by completing and submitting this form. Dr. Ed Dickinson and Mr. Fred Wurster will coordinate approval and dispersal of the equipment upon receiving your submission to issue approval or obtain follow up information related to your request. Please note submission of form does not guarantee that equipment will be available for loan.

Please report any issues with or damages to borrowed equipment via email to Dr. Dickinson and Mr. Wurster.