Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title: 	Emergency Medical Responder
Program Type: 	Career Preparatory
Career Cluster: 	Health Science

Career Certificate Program 	
Program Number	H171500	
CIP Number	0351081000	
Grade Level	30, 31	
Program Length	190 hours	
Teacher Certification	Refer to the Program Structure section.	
CTSO	HOSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	
Basic Skills Level	N/A	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to planning, management, finance, technical and production skills, underlying principles of technology, labor issues, community issues and health, safety, and environmental issues.  Clinical learning experiences are an integral part of this program.

This is an instructional program that prepares individuals to provide initial care to sick or injured persons or as ambulance drivers and attendants.  An Emergency Medical Responder may use this training for employment. The Emergency Medical Responder is the first to arrive at the scene of an injury but does not have the primary responsibility for treating and transporting the injured person(s).  Emergency Medical Responders may include law enforcement, lifeguard, fire services or basic life support non-licensed personnel who act as part of an organized emergency medical services team.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.
 
"All EMR/EMT/Paramedic students are required to complete the 4-hour Traffic Incident Management Safety (TIMS) course at least once. This requirement can be fulfilled either as a prerequisite or as part of the curriculum, at the discretion of the EMS education program."

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 2 occupational completion points.

This program is comprised of courses which have been assigned course numbers in the SCNS (Statewide Course Numbering System) in accordance with Section 1007.24 (1), F.S.  Career and Technical credit shall be awarded to the student on a transcript in accordance with Section 1001.44(3) (b), F.S.

To teach the courses listed below, instructors must hold at least one of the teacher certifications indicated for that course.

The following table illustrates the postsecondary program structure:

OCP	Course Number	Course Title	Teacher Certification	Length	
A	HSC0003	Basic Healthcare Worker	REG NURSE 7 G
PARAMEDIC @7 7G 
MED PROF 7 G
EMT 7G	90 hours	
B	EMS0050	Emergency Medical Responder		100 hours	

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the healthcare delivery system and health occupations.
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively.
03.0	Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities.
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of and apply wellness and disease concepts.
05.0	Recognize and practice safety and security procedures.
06.0	Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
07.0	Recognize and practice infection control procedures.
08.0	Demonstrate an understanding of information technology applications in healthcare.
09.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of blood borne diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
11.0	Apply basic math and science skills. 
12.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Emergency Medical Responder.
13.0	Demonstrate an understanding of EMS Operations 
14.0	Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively as part of the EMS team.  
15.0	Demonstrate an understanding of medicolegal aspects
16.0	Determine and record vital signs of a sick or injured person. 
17.0	Use medical identification devices. 
18.0	Conduct a primary assessment of problems that are a threat to life if not corrected immediately. 
19.0	Demonstrate BLS procedures.
20.0	Recognize and control bleeding. 
21.0	Recognize and control shock. 
22.0	Understand the importance of emergency medications. 
23.0	Demonstrate understanding of airway management, respiration and artificial ventilation. 
24.0	Provide secondary assessment. 
25.0	Identify musculo-skeletal injuries. 
26.0	Demonstrate proper spinal motion restriction of a Cervical/Spinal injury.
27.0	Demonstrate proper extremity immobilization as well as other immobilization for other injuries (pelvis, ribs).
28.0	Provide emergency evacuation and transfer of a sick and/or injured person. 
29.0	Identify and provide initial care for a sick and/or injured patient. 
30.0	Identify and care for patients who are in special situations.
31.0	Provide triage to victims of multiple casualty incidents. 
32.0	Scene Assessment. 
33.0	Recognize entrapment situations. 
34.0	Assist with emergency childbirth. 
35.0	Identify critical incident stressors. 
36.0	

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title: 	Emergency Medical Responder  
Career Certificate Program Number: 	H171500

The Basic Health Care Worker (HSC0003) is referred to as the Health Science Core and is the first OCP in the majority of the Career Certificate Program health science programs. Secondary and Postsecondary students completing the health science core will not have to repeat the core in any other health science program in which it is a part.  When the recommended sequence is followed, the structure allows students to complete at specified points for employment or remain for advanced training or cross-training.

Course Number:  HSC0003
Occupational Completion Point:  A 
Basic Healthcare Worker – 90 Hours	

To ensure consistency whenever these courses are offered, the health science core standards (1-11) and benchmarks have been placed in a separate document. To access this document, visit this link: 
https://www.fldoe.org/file/20894/health-sci-core-psav-cc-2627.rtf

Course Number:  EMS0050
Occupational Completion Point:  B
Emergency Medical Responder – 100 Hours	
12.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Emergency Medical Responder.  The student will be able to:	
12.01	Describe the role of Emergency Medical Responder as a member of the EMS team in the community and public health.	
12.02	List and describe the responsibilities of the Emergency Medical Responder for the provision of pre-hospital emergency care within the local EMS system. 	
12.03	Describe principles of safely operating a ground ambulance. 	
12.04	Quality improvement vs. quality assurance, evidence-based practice and patient outcomes, data collection.	
12.05	Role of Medical oversight.	
12.06	Understand the guidelines of operating safety in and around a landing zone during air medical operations and transport.	
12.07	Implement appropriate patient safety goals. Culture of safety in work practice and in assessment, treatment and transport of patients.	
12.08	Standards safety precautions and personal protective equipment.	
13.0	Demonstrate an understanding of EMS Operations.	
13.01	Identify the risks and responsibilities of emergency response and radio communications.	
13.02	Identify the risks and responsibilities of operating emergency vehicles.	
13.03	Understand the criteria for utilizing air medical response.	
13.04	Identify the risks, needs, and advantages of utilizing air medical response.	
14.0	Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively as part of the EMS team.  The student will be able to:	
14.01	 Demonstrate the proper procedure for the transfer of patient care to other EMS personnel. 	
14.02	 Describe information regarding a patient's condition and treatment that need to be communicated. 	
14.03	 Communicate the Emergency Medical Responder’s observations and actions to whomever patient care is transferred. 	
14.04    Describe and apply the principles of communicating with patients in a manner that achieves a positive relationship. 	
14.04	 Recognize simple medical prefixes, suffixes, combining vowels, and words.	
15.0     Demonstrate an understanding of medicolegal aspects.  The student will be able to:	
           15.01 Describe and demonstrate an understanding of the medicolegal aspects of an Emergency Medical Responder’s provision of emergency medical care in the jurisdiction having authority (medical direction), including, but not limited to, end-of-life issues, duty to act, standard of care, consent to care, forcible restraint, abandonment, documentation, and any applicable Good Samaritan Laws	
15.02	Practice within medicolegal standards, including Florida Department of Health legislation (64J, 401) and National EMS standards.	
16.0	Determine and record vital signs of a sick or injured person.  The student will be able to:	
16.01	Determine and record skin color, temperature, and moistness.	
16.02	Demonstrate ability to accurately measure and record vital signs including manual blood pressure in both a normal patient and a hemodialysis patient.	
17.0	Use medical identification devices.  The student will be able to:	
17.01	Identify the most commonly used digital medical identification devices. 	
17.02	Apply the information contained on or in the medical identification devices to patient assessment and patient care procedures, including advanced directives. 	
18.0	Conduct a primary assessment of problems that are a threat to life if not corrected immediately.  The student will be able to:	
18.01	Determine number of patients and call for additional resources.	
18.02	Determine and record the level of consciousness of the injured person including person, place, time, and events.	
18.03	Assess for an adequate or inadequate airway, respiration, ventilation, and circulation and profuse bleeding.	
18.04	Recognize when immediate correction is necessary. 	
18.05	Perform a rapid full body scan.	
18.06	Assess patient and determine if the patient has a life-threatening condition. 	
18.07	Use spinal precautions as appropriate	
18.08	Determine the patient’s chief complaint.	
18.09	Determine the mechanism of injury or nature of illness.	
18.10	Use appropriate interviewing techniques to determine the patient’s associated signs and symptoms.	
19.0	Demonstrate BLS procedures.  The student will be able to:	
19.01	Establish and maintain an open airway using both manual and mechanical airway techniques. 	
19.02	Restore breathing and circulation by means of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 	
19.03	Demonstrate proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). 	
20.0	Recognize and control bleeding.  The student will be able to:	
20.01	Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system (Including the heart, arteries, veins, and perfusion).	
20.02	Identify items that can be used to control external bleeding and minimize the contamination of open wounds.	
20.03	Apply pressure dressings, tourniquets, and wound packing that will control bleeding/hemorrhage and minimize the contamination of open wounds.	
20.04	Identify the likelihood of internal bleeding through observations of signs, symptoms and mechanisms of injury. 	
20.05	Differentiate between blunt and penetrating mechanisms of injury and their associated complications.	
20.06	Care for a patient who exhibits the signs and symptoms of internal bleeding.	
20.07	Apply current trauma treatment standards when applying a tourniquet, which may include Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) standards. 	
21.0	Recognize and control shock.  The student will be able to:	
21.01	Recognize the likelihood that shock may occur or be present based on patient assessment and observation of a mechanism of injury. 	
21.02	Understand the pathophysiology of shock.	
21.03	Provide anti-shock measures as a part of routine patient care.	
22.0	Understand the importance of emergency medications.  The student will be able to:	
22.01	Demonstrate the proper safety procedures when handling and administering medications.	
22.02	Understand the advantages, disadvantages, and techniques of self and peer administration of an intramuscular injection by auto injector.	
22.03	Describe the names, effects, indications, contraindications, side effects, routes of administration, and dosages for specific medications (i.e., chemical antidote auto injector devices).	
22.04	Demonstrate how to observe and respond to patient's need for narcotic antagonists.	
22.05	Demonstrate accurate dosage calculation, including weight-based dosing procedures.	
22.06	Demonstrate the six rights of medication administration.	
22.07	Demonstrate how to administer narcotic antagonists, using a unit-dose, premeasured intranasal device.	
22.08	Document administration of narcotic antagonists and patient's response on medical record.	
22.09	Observe and communicate effects of medications to the patient’s assigned EMT/Paramedic.	
23.0	Demonstrate understanding of airway management, respiration, and artificial ventilation.  The student will be able to:	
23.01	Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology, including upper and lower airway to airway management procedures (i.e., ventilation, oxygenation, respiration, and perfusion).	
23.02	Understand the pathophysiology of respiratory dysfunction (including but not limited to asthma, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and chronic, obstructive pulmonary disease).	
23.03	Understand the effect of ventilation on cardiac output.	
23.04	Use available mechanical devices to assure the maintenance of an open airway and assist ventilation according to American Heart Association (AHA) standards. 	
23.05	Demonstrate proficiency in supplemental oxygen therapy including portable oxygen cylinder and oxygen delivery devices. 	
23.06	Describe and demonstrate airway management utilizing of upper airway suctioning. 	
24.0	Provide secondary assessment.  The student will be able to:	
24.01	Conduct a methodical head-to-toe physical examination to discover conditions not found during the primary assessment. 	
24.02	Assess the patient’s vital signs (Including, but not limited to, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pain level)	
24.03	Interview the sick or injured person to obtain facts relevant to the person's condition. 	
24.04	Interview co-workers, witnesses, family members, or other individuals to obtain facts relevant to the person's condition. 	
24.05	Apply knowledge of how and when to reassess patients based on patient condition.	
25.0	Identify musculo-skeletal injuries.  The student will be able to:	
25.01	Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the muscles and bones.	
25.02	Identify the various types of musculo-skeletal injuries.	
25.03	Immobilize and otherwise care for suspected fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains with available supplies and equipment, including commercially available and improvised devices.	
25.04	Demonstrate an understanding of the function and need for traction splints. 	
26.0	Demonstrate proper spinal motion restriction of a cervical/spinal injury.  The student will be able to:	
26.01	Identify need for spinal motion restriction.	
26.02	Maintain in-line spinal motion restriction of cervical spine.	
26.03	Place proper fitting rigid extrication-type cervical collar.	
26.04	Place patient in supine position on appropriate spine board based on patient condition.	
26.05	Secure patient to spinal motion restriction device.	
27.0	Demonstrate proper extremity immobilization as well as other immobilization for other injuries (pelvis, ribs).  The student will be able to:	
27.01	Identify need for extremity immobilization.	
27.02	Assesses motor, sensory, and distal circulation in extremities.	
27.03	Place proper fitting splint on extremity.	
27.04	Reassesses motor, sensory, and distal circulation in extremities.	
28.0	Provide emergency evacuation and transfer of a sick and/or injured person.  The student will be able to:	
28.01	Describe situations when a person should be evacuated or transferred.	
28.02   Use the most appropriate assist, drag or carry (alone or with a partner) to move a sick or injured person from a dangerous location to a safe place. 	
28.03	Maintain safety precautions during evacuation and transfer.	
28.04	Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and use of transfer methods for patients including stair chairs and stretchers.	
28.05	Understand and demonstrate proper body mechanics when lifting and moving patients.	
29.0	    Identify and provide initial care for a sick and/or injured patient.  The student will be able to:	
29.01	Identify and care for patients with non-traumatic chest pain, utilizing patient assessment. 	
29.02	Identify and care for patients experiencing respiratory distress/failure/arrest, utilizing patient assessment.	
29.03	Identify and care for patients experiencing a diabetic emergency, utilizing patient assessment. 	
23.04	 Identify and care for a patient who is experiencing a seizure, utilizing patient assessment. 	
29.04	Identify and care for a patient who has ingested, inhaled, absorbed or been injected with a poisonous substance. 	
29.06	Identify and care for a patient who is in an altered state of consciousness, utilizing patient assessment. 	
29.07	Identify and care for a patient who is experiencing a stroke, utilizing patient assessment. 	
29.08	Identify and care for a patient who has a foreign body in the eye, utilizing patient assessment. 	
29.09	Identify and care for a patient who has shock associated with gastrointestinal bleeding.	
29.10	Identify and care for a patient who has epistaxis.	
29.11	Identify and care for a patient experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.	
29.12	Identify and care for a patient with non-traumatic fracture.	
29.13	Identify and care for a patient experiencing a behavioral emergency and demonstrate knowledge of suicide risk. 	
29.14 Identify and care for a patient with thermal, chemical, or electrical burns, determining the severity including degree, body surface area, type, and location.	
29.15	Identify and care for a patient suffering from an environmental emergency including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and frostbite, utilizing patient assessment. 	
30.0	Identify and care for patients who are in special situations.  The student will be able to:	
30.01	Identify patients who have special needs (including but not limited to abuse, domestic violence, and sex trafficking). 	
30.02	Care for injured/ill children. 	
30.03	Care for the injured/ill elderly. 	
30.04	Care for the injured/ill physically disabled. 	
30.05	Care for the injured/ill developmentally disabled. 	
31.0	Provide triage to victims of multiple casualty incidents.  The student will be able to:	
31.01	Categorize the victims of multiple casualty incidents according to the severity of injury or illness based on patient assessments. 	
31.02	Use triage tags or other identification devices available locally to indicate priorities for pre-hospital emergency care and transportation to medical facilities.	
31.03	Work as a member of a team to perform triage at locations of multiple casualty incidents.	
31.04	Work as a member of a team to perform patient assessments at locations of multiple casualty incidents.	
31.05	Work as a member of a team to carry out patient care procedures at the locations of multiple casualty incidents.	
31.06	Demonstrate knowledge of the operating procedures during a terrorist event or during a natural or man-made disaster. 	
31.07	Demonstrate a basic understanding of the Incident Command System (ICS) implemented by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),	
31.08	Discuss and demonstrate Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard, 29 CFR 1910.120  – First Responder Awareness Level https://www.osha.gov/emergency-preparedness/hazardous-waste-operations/standards  	
32.0	Scene Assessment.  The student will be able to:	
32.01	Take steps to minimize the chance of injury or death to all involved when confronted with a potentially life-threatening situation based on Presence of hazards. 	
33.0	Recognize entrapment situations.  The student will be able to:	
33.01	Identify accident-related hazards and undertake hazard control measures consistent with the capabilities of the Emergency Medical Responder and available equipment. 	
             33.02 Recognize available equipment that is used to safely gain access to persons who are entrapped. 	
33.03	Recognize available equipment that is used to safely disentangle persons from mechanisms of entrapment. 	
33.04	 Identify which agencies to notify for assistance with entrapment situations.	
34.0	Assist with emergency childbirth.  The student will be able to:	
34.01	Evaluate a mother to determine whether delivery is imminent.	
34.02	Assist with a normal delivery. 	
34.03	Care for the mother and baby.	
34.04	 Identify abnormal childbirth situations and care for the mother and baby within the Emergency Medical Responder’s capabilities.	
35.0	  Identify critical incident stressors.  The student will be able to:	
35.01	Identify stressors which may affect the performance of an Emergency Medical Responder. 	
35.02	Identify stressors which may affect the behavior of a sick or injured person. 	
35.03	Carry out procedures to minimize critical incident stress.	
35.04   Identify signs and symptoms of PTSD and the resources available for treatment.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. 

Special Notes

In order for students to take the NREMT003 Emergency Medical Responder exam the program must be approved by the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians. To receive approval from NREMT each program must be “authorized” by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services by completing the instructor qualifications form required by Bureau of EMS. 

The Emergency Medical Responder instructor shall issue to each student documentation of successful course completion which shall include date of issuance, student's name, name of sponsoring agency (DOE), name of training agency, and instructor's printed name and signature, plus the wording "issued pursuant to section 401.435, F.S."  The instructor must also maintain on file following course completion, a roster listing the names of students who successfully completed the course, the dates and location of the course, and the name of the instructor.

The student performance standards for Emergency Medical Responder were adapted and condensed from U. S. Department of Transportation Emergency Medical Services; Emergency Medical Responder Training Course, National Standard Curriculum Instructors Lesson Plan and American Society for Testing and Materials, Committee F-30.  Administrators and instructors should refer to these materials for additional details.

This program meets the Department of Health’s education requirements for HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and Prevention of Medical Errors.  Although not a requirement for initial licensure, it is a requirement for renewal, therefore the instructor may provide a certificate for renewal purposes to the student verifying these requirements have been met.

If students in this program are seeking a licensure, certificate or registration through the Department of Health, please refer to 456.0635, F.S. for more information on disqualification for a license, certificate, or registration through the Department of Health. 

The Core should be taken first in the program. Following the successful completion of the core, the student is eligible to take the National Health Care Foundation Skill Standards Assessment with instructor approval and the completion of a portfolio.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

CTSOs are co-curricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. Other CTSOs not listed in this curriculum framework or recognized by the Florida Department of Education are permissible provided they support student mastery over the standards and benchmarks of this curriculum framework.

Cooperative Training – OJT

On-the-job training is appropriate but not required for this program.  Whenever offered, the rules, guidelines, and requirements specified in the OJT framework apply. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.