Emergency Medical Services: High School

Foundational Standards

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System

Communication Skills

Safety

Legal and Ethical Issues

Anatomy

Emergency Medical Skills

Incorporate safety procedures in handling, operating, and maintaining tools and machinery; handling materials; utilizing personal protective equipment; maintaining a safe work area; and handling hazardous materials and forces.

Demonstrate effective workplace and employability skills, including communication, awareness of diversity, positive work ethic, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork.

Explore the range of careers available in the field and investigate their educational requirements and demonstrate job-seeking skills including resume-writing and interviewing.

Advocate and practice safe, legal, responsible, and ethical use of information and technology tools specific to the industry pathway.

Participate in a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) to increase knowledge and skills and to enhance leadership and teamwork.

Demonstrate effective infection control techniques as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Joint Commission guidelines.

Compare and contrast a variety of certification and cross-training opportunities in emergency medical services.

Summarize EMS roles within the broader healthcare system. 

Compare and contrast the emergency response roles of EMS, firefighters, and law enforcement personnel. 

Demonstrate effective communication among medical and emergency personnel who are on the scene and at other locations.

Use therapeutic communication with patients and caregivers of diverse backgrounds.

Complete and organize medical documentation, using effective technical writing skills.

Examine an emergency scene to identify dangerous materials and maintain situational awareness to notice threats, hazards, and dangerous conditions throughout the emergency. 

Explain the importance of emotional, psychological, and physical well-being and stress management for the EMS provider.

Demonstrate best practices used by emergency medical personnel for infection control in a variety of environments. 

Interpret legal issues that impact the EMS responder and indicate whether each issue involves civil, criminal, or contractual law, including negligence laws, patient abandonment laws, consent and refusal laws, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Good Samaritan laws, and duty to act. 

Explain the ethical and moral obligations of the EMS responder. 

Describe the structure and function of human body systems and explain how emergency medical procedures can substitute for or improve upon certain bodily functions in emergency situations. 

Perform basic skills in emergency medicine. 

Describe advanced skills performed in emergency medical settings. 

List and describe the purpose of medications, treatments, or therapies commonly used in emergency situations. 

Describe how EMS, firefighters, and law enforcement personnel operate individually and as a team in an emergency setting according to the Incident Command Structure.

Explain the role EMS plays in the mass casualty triage process.

Describe the purpose of advance directives including living wills, do-not-resuscitate orders, medical power of attorney, and healthcare surrogate in emergency patient care.