Advanced EMT (AEMT)

The Advanced EMT (AEMT) Program is designed for individuals who have completed their EMT certification and wish to continue their EMS education. It is also the second semester in the Associates of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology degree. 

The course is a simulation-based program that allows students to apply and reinforce the knowledge and skills learned in both the EMT and AEMT program, in the same manner they would be applied in the field. The course includes the IV and Basic EKG interpretation class, which are prerequisites for hire at most Denver area EMS agencies. It also includes a cadaver lab and 90 hours of clinical experience in the hospital and ambulance setting.  AEMT certification is required to complete the third and fourth semester of the Emergency Medical Technology degree.

The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) is a healthcare professional in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system whose primary role is to respond to, assess, triage, and treat emergent, urgent, and non-urgent requests for medical care. Utilizing basic and limited advanced knowledge and skills the AEMT provides care and medical transportation to or from a healthcare facility while providing treatment while enroute.

Depending on the patient’s needs, and available resources, the AEMT may be the highest-level provider involved the pre-hospital care of the patient. In other instances, the AEMT may be paired with a Paramedic and function as part of a comprehensive EMS team.

The additional preparation beyond EMT prepares an AEMT to improve patient care in common emergency conditions for which reasonably safe, targeted, and evidence-based interventions exist. Interventions within the AEMT scope of practice may carry more risk if not performed properly than interventions authorized for the EMR/EMT levels. With proper supervision, AEMTs may serve as a patient care team member in a hospital or health care setting to the full extent of their education, certification, licensure, and credentialing. In a community setting an AEMT might visit patients at home and make observations that are reported to a higher-level authority to help manage a patient’s care.

(adapted from the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, 2009 and 2018)

Upon successful completion of the EMT Program students are eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) AEMT examination. After obtaining NREMT certification you will be able to apply for Colorado AEMT certification.

Be sure to visit the RRCC EMS homepage and review the items that need to be completed before the first day of class. Also be sure to start checking your RRCC student e-mail address periodically starting a few weeks before the course as your instructor may send you important updates.