Online EMT-I Course: Descriptions of EMT Intermediate Classes

Intermediate emergency medical technician (EMT-I) classes are available to students interested in advancing their EMT-Basic training or becoming paramedics (EMT-P). Online EMT-I courses offer students a convenient and flexible way to gain certification. EMT-I training is advanced and covers IV therapy, human anatomy, cardiac health, airway devices and pharmaceutical administration.

Summary of Online EMT-Intermediate Courses

EMT-Intermediate courses are offered at many colleges and universities through their distance-learning or applied healthcare divisions. They are designed to heighten an emergency medical technician's basic skills and knowledge of emergency medical care for injured or ill individuals. EMT-Intermediate courses are offered at two levels: EMT-I/85 and EMT-I/99. Completion of either course may serve as a stepping-stone toward an associate degree for paramedic medicine.
Coursework at each level includes lab hours, lectures and clinical experiences; therefore, EMT-Intermediate courses are often offered via hybrid format. For example, enrollees may find reading materials and complete most assignments online, but be expected to visit a school's campus for a short amount of time to complete practical training. Or, they may be approved to complete hands-on training at a site close to their home.
Students that successfully complete courses can take the corresponding National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exam and, upon successful completion, receive recognition as EMT-Intermediates from their state. EMT-Is may work for hospitals, medical transport companies, fire departments and other emergency medical services facilities.

Online Course Requirements

All EMT-I class enrollees must hold current NREMT-Basic certification and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) card. Prior to enrollment, applicants must provide the school with proof of age (they must be at least 18), current required vaccinations and health insurance. Depending on the school, prospective students may also be required to have minimum hours of experience as an EMT-Basic before progressing to the next level. If students are taking an online EMT-I course from another state, they will want to confirm that the state in which they hope to practice will confer local licensure upon them once the course has been completed.
When taking online EMT-I courses, students are asked to own a computer, preferably one with high-speed Internet. They may need to install a certain Web browser that is compatible with study materials, and often need a personal e-mail address for correspondence with instructors (if one is not supplied by the school). Students may be required to log on to the school's website at specific times to sit for exams, view live lectures or participate in a class conference. Students are also required to purchase any necessary textbooks for the course.
Because EMT students must gain practical knowledge in addition to classroom-style learning, they are required to satisfy a certain amount of clinical work in an emergency room, on the field or at an approved medical facility. Every school handles lab work differently, so EMT-I candidates must carefully consider program requirements before enrolling to determine if travel may be involved.

Description of EMT-I Courses

EMT-I/85 Course

This course teaches more invasive emergency medical procedures than what is covered at the EMT-B level, including the supervised application of IVs, airway management devices, prescription medications and advanced patient assessment. Course content includes physiology and human anatomy, pharmacology, intravenous administration, cardiovascular care, geriatrics, pediatrics, trauma emergencies, advanced ambulance procedures and documentation of patient medical history.
Students must successfully complete both a psychomotor and cognitive examination to gain national EMT-Intermediate/85 certification. Passing the cognitive test requires students to display competency in all aspects of emergency medical services.

EMT-I/99 Course

This course provides students with advanced training beyond what they received in EMT-I/85 courses. They develop an expanded repertoire of practical techniques, such as medication administration, advanced airway management and cardiac monitoring--including cardiac pacing, cardioversion and defibrillation.
The EMT-I/99 course provides the expanded training closest to the paramedic. Students gain experience in tension pneumothorax decompression, drug administration for heart arrhythmia, endotracheal intubation and reading EKGs.
Students must also successfully complete psychomotor and cognitive examinations to gain national EMT-Intermediate/99 certification. Passing the cognitive test requires candidates to display competency in all aspects of EMS care, including breathing and airway management, trauma, pediatrics, cardiology and obstetrics--but at a more advanced level than the EMT-I/85.