EMT Foundations from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

In this module, you will learn about the nuts and bolts of the emergency medical services system. We will cover some brief history of EMS, as well as breakdown the different components of the system. There will be discussion about some of the medical and legal issues that are persistent in the practice of prehospital medicine. We will also address workplace safety and provider wellness, because you cannot take care of other people unless you are learning to take care of yourself!

Basic Human Anatomy

In this module, we will learn a new language. This module will cover basic medical terminology and some tips and tricks for “talking the talk.” This is also where we will cover the basics of anatomy of the human body! We will teach you the basics of human anatomy of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, abdominal, neurologic and endocrine system.

Communication With A Healthcare Provider

Essential to emergency medical services is communication. This module will discuss the various parts of the job that require communication and the different strategies to employ clear and concise communication. You will learn about the SBAR method of hand off reports, learn how to successfully communicate with patients, and we will cover some pearls and pitfalls to communicating within the EMS system.

Vital Signs and History Taking

Here we will cover vital signs, and learn about why they are vital! We will be teaching you how to take a blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse, and assess a patient’s skin. We will also learn about taking a history during a patient encounter, and learn some standard approaches to this including the OPQRST and AMPLE templates of history taking.

Immediately Upon Arrival To The Scene

In this last module, we will be discussing some bread and butter components of EMS. The first is scene safety and assessment of a scene. Then we will cover the complete assessment of a medical patient, and a trauma patient, using the national registry as our guideline. By the end of this, you will know how to communicate with patients and how to perform a thorough assessment of any patient you may encounter.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces the emergency medical services system, providing a foundation for understanding its components and operations

Provides a comprehensive overview of basic human anatomy, covering the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, abdominal, neurological, and endocrine systems

Covers various communication strategies and methods used in prehospital medicine, including the SBAR method, patient communication, and system-specific communication

Discusses vital signs, their importance, and how to accurately measure blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pulse, as well as assessing skin

Teaches the procedures for arriving at the scene, including safety assessment, patient assessment, and history taking, following national registry guidelines

Emphasizes personal and scene safety, addressing essential workplace safety and provider wellness practices

Reviews summary

Ems knowledge foundation

Learners say this EMT foundations course is an introduction to emergency medical services. It covers the basics of being an EMT and students have said that this course can help them decide if they are willing to pursue this as a career. The course is well received by learners, and students have said that it provided them with a good overview of the EMT profession and a basic understanding of anatomy and emergency medical techniques. However, some students have mentioned that the course could be improved by providing more opportunities to test their knowledge.

Some learners have said that this course helped them decide if they wanted to pursue a career in emergency medical services.

"The course gives a great overview into the EMT profession and helped me figure out if I am willing to pursue this career."

"I have learnt a lot of intresting things about how the human body is built up and how it works."

"I have been working as a paramedic around 20 years..."

"The knowledge covered by this course is a fantastic place to start for someone just entertaining the idea of becoming an EMT..."

The information taught in this course has helped learners develop foundational knowledge.

"it was great "

"Learners say the course provides foundational knowledge for EMTs, including a good overview of the profession and basic understanding of anatomy and emergency medical techniques.."

"This course was full of basic information needed to complete the education needed to become and EMT."

"This course teach me a lot how to handle a patient when you they are in need of help..."

This course has an organized structure that is easy to follow.

"This course was useful in reviewing the concepts I learned as a student nurse."

"This course was very thorough and easy to follow."

"This is a great introduction to the Coursera Specialization where it belongs, providing fundamental information and principles..."

"This course is perfectly planned with the student's success in mind."

Learners have commented that the instructors are knowledgeable and engaging.

"The presenters were very informed and the information was delivered in a very structured and easy-to-follow manner."

"The facilitators of this course make learning a huge delight."

"An excellent course with great instructors!"

"This course was one of the best I've ever done. Teachers are impressively good..."

EMT Foundations is a well-structured course that provides foundational knowledge for those interested in becoming EMTs.

"I enjoyed the presentations which were easily understandable!"

"The full spectrum of 'basics' seems to have been covered..."

"This course was really interesting,loved every moment of it."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in EMT Foundations with these activities:

Review Your Basic Anatomy

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Familiarize yourself with the body's anatomy before the course begins.

Browse courses on Human Anatomy

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Review notes from previous anatomy classes
Take a free online anatomy course
Use flashcards to memorize body parts

Watch Tutorials on Medical Terminology

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Supplement your understanding of medical terminology with online tutorials.

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Search for tutorials on medical terminology
Choose a tutorial that is appropriate for your level of knowledge
Watch the tutorial and take notes
Test your understanding by completing quizzes or exercises

Create Mind Maps

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Create visual aids to help you memorize complex terms and concepts.

Browse courses on Anatomy

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Choose a topic to focus on
Write down the main topic in the center of a piece of paper
Draw branches off of the main topic for each subtopic
Add details and examples to each branch

Five other activities

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Attend a First Aid and CPR Workshop

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Obtain practical skills in providing first aid and CPR in emergency situations.

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Identify a first aid and CPR workshop in your area
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the training
Practice your skills on mannequins and other participants
Obtain your first aid and CPR certification

Practice Taking Vital Signs

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Practice taking vital signs on friends or family members.

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Find someone who is willing to let you practice taking their vital signs
Gather the necessary equipment
Follow the steps for taking each vital sign
Record the results

Form a Study Group with Classmates

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Collaborate with peers to review course materials and prepare for assessments.

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Identify classmates who are interested in forming a study group
Choose a meeting time and location
Set a regular meeting schedule
Review course materials together
Discuss difficult concepts
Quiz each other to test your understanding

Volunteer at a Hospital or Clinic

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Gain practical experience in a healthcare setting.

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Contact local hospitals or clinics to inquire about volunteer opportunities
Complete the necessary paperwork and background checks
Attend a volunteer orientation
Shadow healthcare professionals and assist with tasks

Participate in EMS Skills Competitions

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Challenge yourself and demonstrate your skills in a competitive setting.

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Research EMS skills competitions in your area
Form a team or register as an individual
Practice your skills regularly
Compete in the competition
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement

Career center

Learners who complete EMT Foundations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Occupational Therapist

The EMT Foundations course can help you build a strong foundation for this role. The course covers basic medical terminology, human anatomy, and patient assessment. This knowledge would be valuable to you as an occupational therapist, as it would help you to better understand the physical and cognitive needs of your patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Therapist

Speech-Language Pathologist

The EMT Foundations course can provide critical foundational knowledge for this role. The course covers basic medical terminology, human anatomy, and patient assessment. This knowledge would be valuable in this role, as it would enable you to better understand the communication needs of your patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech-Language Pathologist

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

The EMT Foundations course can provide foundational knowledge of the medical field. This course covers basic medical terminology, human anatomy, and patient assessment. This knowledge may be helpful in this role, as it would aid comprehension of technical information and enable more effective communication with healthcare providers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Physician Assistant

The EMT Foundations course can be a helpful foundation for this role. The course covers basic medical terminology, anatomy, vital signs, and patient assessment. This knowledge would be valuable to you in this role, as it would better prepare you for assisting with patient care and medical procedures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician Assistant

Medical Writer

The EMT Foundations course can help you build a strong foundation for this job. The course covers basic medical terminology, human anatomy, and patient assessment. This knowledge would be valuable to you in this role because it would help you to write clear and accurate medical content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer

Health Educator

The EMT Foundations course covers basic medical terminology, human anatomy, and patient assessment. This knowledge would be valuable to you in this role, as it would help you to better understand the health topics you are teaching and the needs of your audience.

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Healthcare Administrator

The EMT Foundations course provides an overview of the healthcare system. The course covers topics such as the history of EMS, the different components of the EMS system, and the roles of different healthcare providers. This knowledge would be valuable to you in this role, as it would help you to better understand the healthcare system and how to manage it effectively.

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Medical Device Sales Representative

The EMT Foundations course can provide you with foundational knowledge of the healthcare industry. This course covers basic medical terminology, human anatomy, and patient assessment. This knowledge would be valuable to you in this role, as it would help you to better understand the products you are selling and the needs of your customers.

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Certified Nursing Assistant

The Certified Nursing Assistant role is a great option for those interested in providing direct patient care. The EMT Foundations course can help you build a foundation for this job by providing a basic understanding of the human body, medical terminology, and patient assessment.

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Patient Care Technician

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) role is a great choice for those interested in gaining hands-on experience in a variety of healthcare settings. The EMT Foundations course can help you build a foundation for this job by providing you with basic medical terminology, vital signs, and patient assessment knowledge.

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Emergency Medical Dispatcher

The EMT Foundations course provides foundational knowledge of the EMS system. It can help one build a foundation for becoming a reliable Emergency Medical Dispatcher. Emergency Medical Dispatchers often rely on medical terminology to communicate with patients, and this course covers basic medical terminology and anatomy.

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Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants are responsible for providing administrative and clinical support to healthcare providers, and they may also assist with patient care. The EMT Foundations course covers vital signs, medical terminology, and patient assessment, which could make you a more competitive candidate for this role.

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Firefighter

Firefighters are often the first responders to emergency situations. The knowledge and skills provided by the EMT Foundations course, such as vital signs, patient assessment, and scene safety, can be an advantage. EMT training can be helpful in obtaining employment in this field.

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Registered Nurse

The EMT Foundations course can help you build a foundation for a career as a Registered Nurse. As a Registered Nurse, you would provide medical care to patients of all ages, provide patient education, and administer medication. This course introduces you to the emergency medical services system, which would be helpful in the field.

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Paramedic

The EMT Foundations course covers those medical terminology. With additional training and experience, you could become a paramedic. Some of the duties of a Paramedic include, assessing injuries, administering medication, and transporting patients to the hospital. This course may be useful in helping you build a foundation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paramedic