What are the National EMS Education Standards?
“(The Standards) define the competencies, clinical behaviors, and judgments that must be met by entry-level EMS personnel to meet practice guidelines defined in the National EMS Scope of Practice Model.” (NHTSA p. 7) There are four certification levels: emergency medical responder (EMR), emergency medical technician (EMT), advanced EMT (AEMT), and paramedic. The Standards are built upon the premise that each certification level is part of a sequence that culminates in paramedic certification. Each certification level is built upon the knowledge, skills and competencies of the lower levels. Thus, an EMT must meet all of the competencies of an EMR, as well as those specific to the EMT. Likewise, a paramedic must meet all of the competencies of an EMR, EMT, AEMT, as well as those specified for entry-level paramedics. The Standards are made up of four components: competencies, knowledge required to achieve the competencies, clinical behaviors/judgments, and educational infrastructure. They
