Basic EMT Program

The course introduces students to the knowledge, skills, and practice of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) including; building the knowledge and skills of the basic EMT, introducing and practice of advanced life-support (ALS) skills such as; medication administration, and placement of advanced airways. The course also introduces students to an evidenced-based process for managing acute life-threatening injury and illness as well as offering a critical-thinking framework for clinical-decision making. The course is based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s EMT Instructional Guidelines and the State of Alaska EMT Objectives and Lesson Plans. The course prepares students to take the NREMT written exam and/or the State of Alaska EMT written exam upon completion. Upon passing the NREMT exams students are qualified to apply for State of Alaska EMT certification.

  • Asynchronous Online Course Work

  • Virtual Skills Sessions with Instructor (on Zoom)

  • In-person Skills Sessions

Preregister

Virtual Skills Sessions via Zoom. You'll need to take all 6 sessions in the series (1 through 6), however, you don't need to take them in order. You need to find a good space and training equipment in order to participate. Suggestions for training space and equipment include: Your local Fire Department or EMS Agency, your local clinic or hospital, or consider purchasing the equipment you'll need to complete the Virtual Skills Sessions.

Contact jwalsh@akmeded.org for a list of equipment or questions about the VSS training.

2026 VSS Dates

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The course kicks-off on February 19, 2024, but students can start any time after February 19 because the online content is asynchronous.

  • The course is based on a suggested 16-week schedule with four (4) Virtual Skills Sessions and a week-long in-person skills session at the end of the course. However, students can take longer if needed based on their work schedule and work/life issues. It might take some students 32 weeks or longer based on their individual need.

  • Almost. Students can work online at their own pace to complete the reading assignments, lectures, homework and quizzes. Students are required to attend a series of six (6) Virtual Skills Sessions held on Zoom, then attend a week-long in-person skills session at the end of the course.

  • Students should plan to spend 8-10 hours each week to complete the course in the 16-week schedule. But some students cannot devote 8-10 hours per week so it will take them a little longer to complete the program. Some students may elect to spend more time per week and complete the course work faster.

  • No. Student will need access to adequate training space and training equipment to complete the Skills Portfolio required for the course. If you are a member of a Fire Department or EMS agency, please get permission from the department before enrolling in the EMT course. Other ideas for training spaces and equipment include: your Regional EMS Council, Local Clinic or Hospital, or consider purchasing the training equipment for use at your home.

  • Yes. ETT’s get some credit in the course. They can opt-out of specific sections of the online course work. However, ETT’s must attend all Virtual Skills Sessions and take and pass all Unit Exams with a score of 70% or higher and satisfactorily complete the week-long in-person skills session at the end of the course.

  • Yes. ETT’s needing more review or who want to get more training can complete the entire EMT course if they want to.

  • Yes! Each student is assigned an experienced instructor to assist with technology-related issues, answer questions, and discuss challenging topics. Students can communicate with their instructor through the Learning Management System, WhatsApp, text message, phone, and Zoom video-conferencing. Students will see the instructors during the Virtual Skills Sessions and again at the in-person Final Skills Session.

  • The tuition for the EMT course is $1,950 which includes course registration and four months of access to our Learning Management System and eTextbook, access to our testing platform, access to the game-based learning system, the Virtual Skills Sessions, and lab materials and supplies for the In-Person Skills Session. The course costs an additional $150/month for each additional month of access. Travel and lodging to the in-person skills labs are not included in the course tuition.

  • Only one. You’ll attend a week-long final skills session after you have finished all of the online course work and all six (6) Virtual Skills Sessions.

  • The In-Person Skills Sessions will be held in various locations across the state to accommodate students in different regions of the state. Some sessions will be held in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau. If your department or agency has several students that need to complete the In-Person skills at the same time we can do the In-Person Skills Sessions at your location.

  • Yes. Feel free to purchase or rent a hard-copy textbook from either PSGLearning.com or Amazon.com

  • Yes. There are also scholarships available through organizations like the MatSu Health Foundation, GCI, NAEMT, and others. In some cases, your Regional EMS Council may be able to help. Visit our website for more scholarship information and to complete the Tuition Assistance request form.