EMR Module 6: Special Patient Populations

InstructorChris Rousseau NRAEMT
DepartmentPublic Safety
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The Special Patient Populations Module is presented as part of the traditional one (1) term emergency medical responder (EMR) course.  This is the sixth of several modules that are included in the EMR certificate program.  In this presentation the special patient populations module is recommended to be completed over a one (1) week period with additional time reserved for practical skills verification testing in a lab setting. 

The following chapters will be covered within the special patient populations Module for Emergency Medical Responder.  Students should note that this is a blended online program.  All facets of the lecture, review activities, knowledge checks, and in some cases, practical skills which are filmed and uploaded into the system, are completed there and graded.  All online requirements must be completed before students may attend the lab sessions.

  • Childbirth
  • Pediatric Emergencies
  • Geriatric Emergencies

Learn the basics of how to handle both traumatic and medical emergencies that involve pediatric and geriatric patients as well as how to assist in emergency childbirth.

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The First Responder may function in the context of a broader role, i.e., law enforcement, fire rescue, or industrial response. With a limited amount of equipment, the First Responder answers emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to ill and injured patients. After receiving notification of an emergency, the First Responder safely responds to the address or location given.

Before initiating patient care the First Responder will “size-up” the scene to determine
that the scene is safe, to identify the mechanism of injury or nature of illness, and the
total number of patients, and to request additional help if necessary. In the absence of
law enforcement, creates a safe traffic environment. Using a limited amount of
equipment, renders emergency medical care to adults, children, and infants based on
assessment findings.

The special patient populations module familiarizes the First Responder candidate with the introductory aspects of treating and caring for pediatric patients and geriatric patients.  They will discuss the most common diseases and causes of illness as well as how to perform emergency childbirth in the field.

Entry requirements

Students must be 18 years of age or older by the conclusion of the full EMR certification program. Student may take this module if they are under 18 as long as they are aware that they must be 18 in order to take their final emergency medical responder NREMT certification test.

Students must also poses a high school diploma or GED.

Students must be able to lift more than 150 lbs as well as navigate stairs and uneven ground.

Students must have appropriate reading and writing comprehension to understand medical protocols, and read medication labels.

Students have access to a computer with reliable internet connectivity and have appropriate amount of time for studying and completion of practical requirements.

Course structure and modules

The emergency medical responder course is provided in a blended online and lab (hands-on) practical approach. The majority of the program is presented in our online learning management system. Students will complete all lessons, learning activities, review activities, and knowledge checks online. Students may also be required to video themselves conducting required skill sets and upload them to the online platform for grading by their instructor.

Students must successfully complete all online learning activities as well as show proficiency in all hands on skills before the course is considered successfully completed by the student.

How you study

Students should set aside ample time to complete all online modules and activities. They should work in a quite environment that is free from distraction during online learning.

Students should use paper and pen/pencil to take notes during online lectures as they would for traditional in classroom lectures. Students can pause and rewind the lecture as many times as needed to obtain the information. Then students should complete the online review activities to support their newly acquired knowledge.

At the end, students should complete the final testing requirements in order to successfully pass the module. Once complete, the module will release a certificate of completion which will outline all of the lessons/objectives/skills that the student has completed thus far. The student will take that certificate and bring it with them to their lab date and present it to the lab instructor for final completion and skills verification.

Career opportunities

Emergency Medical Responders often have careers as police officers, firefighters, fish and game officers, lifeguards, and many other public service environments. Outward bound type programs will often utilize emergency medical responders in wilderness settings. This is the first level of certification for pre-hospital medicine and serves as the launch pad for other certifications such as Emergency Medical Technician through bridge certification programs.