Read below to learn more about the classes we offer. Printable registration forms can be found in the right column.

Automated External Defibrillation (AED)

AED’s are new and exciting tools available for the lay rescuer. When most adults’ hearts stop, the heart may return to normal function after delivery of an electric shock. AED’s are easy to use and contribute greatly to patients’ survival. Employees of airlines, businesses, and other public places have used AED’s to save the lives of their customers and coworkers. Classes are scheduled individually for organizations and businesses.

Tuition and Fees: $25 per student for initial training

Please call 322-2082 to register.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

The by-stander is a vital component in the Chain of Survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The Avera McKennan School of EMS offers wide variety of CPR classes designed to meet the student’s needs. CPR classes for the healthcare provider are scheduled periodically throughout the year. Please call (605) 322-2082 to register.

Tuition and Fees:

• $20 - Adult CPR
• $20 - Child and Infant CPR
• $35 - Adult, Child and Infant CPR for the Lay Rescuer
• $35 - CPR for the Healthcare Provider

Emergency Medical Technician - Basic

Prior to the late 1960’s, a person calling an ambulance received very different care than today. Often funeral homes operated ambulance services, and the responders had little or no training in emergency procedures. The patient, therefore, was merely given a fast ride to the hospital.

In contrast to the ambulance drivers of previous years, the goal of today’s Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) is to bring the emergency department to you. It is recognized that the majority of pre-hospital emergency medical care will be provided by the EMT-Basic.

The Emergency Medical Technician-Basic course provides the first phase of training in pre-hospital medicine. It includes all skills necessary for the individual to provide emergency medical care at a Basic Life Support (BLS) level with an ambulance service or other specialized service. Specifically, after successful completion of the program, the student will be capable of performing the following skills:

• Recognize the nature and seriousness of the patient's condition or extent of injuries to assess requirements for emergency medical care
• Administer appropriate emergency medical care based on assessment findings of the patient's condition;
• Lift, move, position and otherwise handle the patient to minimize discomfort and prevent further injury; and,
• Perform safely and effectively the expectations of the EMT job description.

Related Classes:

• Pre-requisite: Must be 18 years of age to be eligible for the National Registry Exam
• Co-requisite: CPR for the Healthcare Provider certification

Specialty Courses may be added to the curriculum to enhance professional development:

• EVOC: Emergency Vehicle Operations Course.
• PHTLS: Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Provider.

Tuition and Fees: In the event that a student withdraws from the program, fees and tuition will be non-refundable. For current tuition, please refer to course registration form.

EMT-Basic Course Application

 

This program exceeds the EMT-Basic National Standard Curriculum consisting of 140 hours of class time including lectures, practical skills laboratory, and hospital emergency department or ambulance service observation. Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded a certificate of graduation and are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians - Basic Written and Practical Examination.

Emergency Medical Technician - Intermediate

Through performance of advanced assessments and providing medical care, the goal of the EMT-I is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury for emergency patients in the pre-hospital setting. The EMT-I provides high quality pre-hospital care and is an important link for emergency patients to acute care resources.

• The EMT-I can perform all the BLS skills of the EMT-B, plus some Advanced Life Support (ALS) skills.
• Intravenous venipuncture (IV) and cannulation;
• Emergency intravenous therapy;
• Advanced patient assessment; and,
• Advanced airway management.

Pre-requisites:

• Must be 18 years of age to be eligible for the National Registry Exam
• South Dakota or National Registry EMT-B certification
• CPR for the Healthcare Provider certification

Specialty Courses may be added to the curriculum to enhance professional development:

• PHTLS: Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Provider
• PEPP: Pediatric Education for the Pre-hospital Professional

Tuition and Fees: In the event that a student withdraws from the program, fees and tuition will be non-refundable. For current tuition, please contact the School of EMS at (605) 322-2082.

 

This program exceeds the South Dakota recognized 1985 National Standard Curriculum for EMT-Intermediates. It consists of 64 hours of didactic and practical instruction, 36 hours of clinical training and 36 hours of field internship for a total of 136 hours of class time. Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded a certificate of graduation and are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians - Intermediate Written and Practical Examination.

Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic

The paramedic level is the highest EMT certification obtainable. Paramedics practice the art and science of pre-hospital medicine in conjunction with medical direction. Paramedics are an essential component of the continuum of care and serve as linkages among health resources. The emerging roles and responsibilities of the Paramedic include public education, health promotion, participation in injury and illness prevention programs, and functioning as a facilitator of access to care as well as an initial treatment provider.

The paramedic program is an intense learning experience consisting of didactic presentations, a skill practicum, a clinical residency and a field internship.

Paramedic Theory/Practicum:

This comprehensive program covers the advanced emergency medical skills necessary to expand the scope of practice of the EMT into the field of paramedicine. This includes the advanced principles of assessment along with the skills and treatment priorities for the management of the critically ill or injured patient. The Avera McKennan School of EMS offers two academic tracts from which to choose:

• Full Time Academic Tract
  A 9-month program beginning each September. Classes are Monday through Friday, 9AM – 5PM rotation. Clinical and field rotations are assigned on an individual basis.
• Part Time Academic Tract
  A 12-month program beginning each February. Classes are on a Tuesday and Thursday 6-10PM rotation. Clinical and field rotations are individually scheduled.

Paramedic Residency:

Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, which is a teaching hospital and a Verified Level II Trauma Center, is utilized to provide a site for the paramedic residency. The skills, knowledge and experience gained through working side-by-side with skilled clinical preceptors and the constant exposure to patient care enhances the ability of the student to provide optimal emergency medical services when operating in the field. To provide a more holistic view of patient care, multiple departments within the hospital are utilized for residency sites including:

• Emergency Department
• Health Care Clinic
• Respiratory Care
• Wee care
• FitKids
• Pediatric Intensive Care
• Critical Care Unit
• Labor & Delivery
• Behavioral Health
• Pulmonary Acute Care
• Surgery/Anesthesia

Paramedic Field Internship:

The field internship is specifically for placing students with an advanced life support agency that will best meet their needs. This evaluative phase of the program integrates all of the student’s knowledge and skills into the ability to serve as an entry-level paramedic in the field.

Pre-requisites:

• Must be 18 years of age to be eligible for the National Registry Exam.
• CPR for the Healthcare Provider Certification.
•  EMT-Basic or Intermediate Certification (South Dakota or National Registry)
• Competence in English and Algebra.

Co-requisite: Anatomy and Physiology (incorporated into the program)

Specialty Courses may be added to the curriculum to enhance professional development:

• BLS-I: Basic Life Support Instructor.
• PHTLS: Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Advanced Provider.
• PBTLS: Pediatric Basic Trauma Life Support.
• ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
• PALS: Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
• PEPP: Pediatric Education for the Prehospital Professional
• NRP: Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
• EVOC: Emergency Vehicle Operations Course.
• Hazardous Materials Awareness.
• Fire Rescue Technician Program

Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded a certificate of graduation and are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians - Paramedic Written and Practical Examination.

Tuition and Fees: In the event that a student withdraws from the program, fees and tuition will be non-refundable. Payment plans and financial aid are available.

Accreditation: The Paramedic Program is approved by the South Dakota Department of Health - EMS Division, the South Dakota Board of Medical Examiners, and exceeds the standards of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the United States Department of Transportation.

The Avera McKennan School of Emergency Medical Services Educational Program for the Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Academic Credit: The program is designed to provide the maximum opportunity for students to obtain academic credit. Formal Associate and Bachelor Degree Program affiliations have been established and are available to students wishing to apply their EMT and Paramedic education toward an academic degree. Details are available through the Avera McKennan School of EMS.

Steps to Apply for Admission to the Paramedic Program:

• When to Apply for Admission:
  Applications are accepted throughout the year. Early registration for a class selection session is recommended. Late applications will be considered only if positions in class are available. Class selection sessions for the September class will be held during the summer, beginning in early May. Sessions for the February class will be held in December and January.  
• How To Apply:
  To register for a class selection session, please submit a  course registration form and the application fee.

Paramedic Course Application

 

What to Bring to a Class Selection:

• A copy of your EMT card
• A copy of your CPR card
• Evidence of High School graduation or its equivalent
• High School transcripts and any post High School transcripts

Attend a Class Selection Session:

Class size is limited. Class selection is determined through an entrance exam and an interview process. Please allow 3-4 hours for:

• Dissemination of student status and financial aid applications
• Question and answer session
• Comprehensive EMT-Basic exam (not required for graduates of an Avera McKennan EMT class within the previous 12 months)
• The Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET). A study guide for the HOBET is available by calling the Educational Resources Testing Bureau at 1-800-292-2273.

Maintain Records:

Applicants should start a file and keep copies of everything sent or received. All applicants will be notified in writing regarding their acceptance status.

First Aid

What should I do if someone is having a seizure? How do I know if my child has a concussion? What if my coworker is having chest pain? These are common questions that are asked during first aid classes. Being armed with some first aid knowledge can make any one more comfortable when faced with an emergency. First aid classes are scheduled individually, and are tailored to meet the needs of the particular group. Classes can vary in length, depending on the wishes of the organization.

• Please call (605) 322-2082 to register.

First Responder

First Responders are often the first EMS professionals that a patient will meet, and perform important initial assessments and interventions. This 40-hour class focuses on the knowledge and skills firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency response team members need to provide care until the ambulance arrives, including airway management, patient assessment, medical and traumatic emergencies, splinting, and childbirth. Classes are scheduled individually for organizations and businesses.

• Co-requisite: CPR for the Healthcare Provider Certification.

Tuition and Fees: In the event that a student withdraws from the program, fees and tuition will be non-refundable.

• Please call (605) 322-2082 to register