By JIM MEYER
Staff writer
An emergency medical technician certification class that starts in September is now open for registration through Clarion University’s Venango Campus.
Tammy Dulaney, coordinator for continuing education at Venango Campus, said there is a need for EMTs locally and that more than 400 positions are available statewide.
“We’re hoping to expand in the future to other types of emergency training,” she said.
The hybrid class (part online, part hands-on) currently has six people registered with 22 more slots available.
The Thursday night hands-on portion of the class will be held at Venango Technology Center with Mark Baughman instructing.
“We’re offering the facilities and I’m lead instructor,” Baughman said. “Clarion (Career Center) and Venango (Technology Center) have worked together various times, and it’s a good fit.”
Baughman spent 34 years as an EMT and 10 years as an instructor. He is now in his third year teaching protective services at Venango Technology Center.
“The need for EMTs is expected to grow by 24 percent in the next 10 years,” Baughman said. “This is mostly due to aging adults. With medical science, we’re keeping people alive longer, but they still need care associated with age.”
Baughman sees hybrid classes as having both pros and cons.
Baughman said most people signing up for the class are active in volunteer fire departments. The class is open to anyone 16 or older, but EMTs must be at least 18 to take the National Registry test.
The National Registry exists to provide a national standard for emergency response training. EMTs are one step below paramedics, who are qualified to administer drugs and perform more invasive life-saving procedures.
Baughman, who is a National Registry evaluator, said scholarships are available at some fire departments and that firefighters should speak to their departments if they are interested in enrolling.
State certified EMTs assist paramedics in lifesaving procedures and are required to receive 200 hours of training.
The class registration deadline is Aug. 31.
