AEMT Module 5: Pharmacology

InstructorChristopher Rousseau NRAEMT
DepartmentPublic Safety
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The Pharmacology Module is presented as part of the traditional two (2) term advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) course.  This is the fifth of several modules that are included in the AEMT certificate program.  In this presentation the pharmacology 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 Pharmacology Module for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.  Students should note that this is a blended online program.  All facets of the lecture, review activities, knowledge checks, are completed online and graded.   Practical skills are demonstrated in the lab setting with an instructor. 

  • Principles of Pharmacology
  • Vascular Access and Medication Administration

Learn the foundation of pre-hospital pharmacology and host of medications that AEMTs may administer as well as vascular access and fluid resuscitation. 

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This course highlights the advanced knowledge and skills necessary for individuals who wish to obtain state or national certification as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and adheres to the 2009 National EMS Education Standards which are based on the National EMS Core Content and the National EMS Scope of Practice that define the minimal entry-level educational competencies for each level of EMS training and has replaced the DOT National Standards curricula used in the past.

The pharmacology module familiarizes the advanced emergency medical technician candidate with the aspects of pre-hospital medication administration and a list of life saving medications.  Students will learn how to perform vascular access and the use of fluid resuscitation.

Entry requirements

Students must be 18 years of age or older by the conclusion of the full AEMT 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 advanced emergency medical technician 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 must 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 advanced emergency medical technician 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

Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians often have careers as pre-hospital medical professionals with private ambulance services as well as municipal fire departments, hospital based EMS organizations, and often work in hospital emergency departments as ED Techs. This is the first level of advanced life support (ALS).