Tennessee Students Conquer Inaugural EMT Class

Tennessee and other states must bolster their declining EMS workforces, and seniors may help—that is, high school seniors. Under a new initiative passed by the Tennessee Board of EMS, high schools seniors can start EMT training while in school. While this idea isn’t new to many areas of the country, Tennessee once required a high school diploma to begin.

Beginning

When EMS began in Tennessee, many EMTs weren’t high school graduates. Regulations changed over the years to require either a GED or a diploma for candidates to enter class. A similar requirement for emergency medical responders (EMRs) to be 18 for certification was also added.

Washington County-Johnson City EMS Chief Daniel Wheeley championed the recent rule relaxation. Wheeley and other EMS directors in the state see a shortage of qualified applicants.

State EMS Director Brandon Ward reports the number of personnel remains even. The change is in the number of people leaving ambulance services for other fields. The demand on street-level providers continues to increase with their call load.

Tennessee allows EMTs at all levels to retire their licenses. Many EMTs and paramedics maintain active licenses and work in other venues—amusement parks, industry, and hospital emergency departments, among others. These jobs lure traditional providers into more comfortable work environments with better hours.

Crockett the Pioneer

David Crockett High School in Jonesborough began its inaugural EMT class during COVID-19. Though the timing wasn’t perfect, the group of vetted students persevered.

Teacher Hollie Backberg, a paramedic and state-credentialed EMT instructor, taught the course. Backberg already taught the EMR program at Crockett in addition to EMT classes at Northeast State Community College. Her experience with high school students and teaching EMS was a definite asset.

Backberg taught the national EMT curriculum to eight students for the school’s pilot class. The class is a dual-enrollment program for high school seniors whereby they gain high school and community college credit for successful completion.

Backberg worked with school officials to fund the program. Grant writers for the schools located funds to secure books and materials. The Washington County Department of Education obtained insurance for the students.

“Most people don’t realize the coordination and funding required for new programs,” says Backberg. “We’ve been really lucky and had lots of support from the community.”

Choose Well

Candidates heard about the program last year. School faculty and staff worked together to establish a vetting process. Students had to apply, meet certain academic thresholds, and interview for the positions.

The students’ parents were also required to attend an orientation session. At the parents’ meeting they learned about the program and environments their children would experience. They also had a Q&A session where they discussed the potential for careers and expectations.

School officials identified program stakeholders and met to discuss strategies. Stakeholders included:

• Tennessee Department of Health Office of EMS
• Washington County Department of Education
• Northeast State Community College
• Ballad Health System
• Washington County-Johnson City EMS

Stakeholders came together to provide resources, talent, and materials. Northeast State Community College (NSCC) worked with Crockett High staff, and together they submitted the required forms to start the class.

Wheeley made his agency available for all ambulance clinical rotations. His field training officers and other staff provided help and supplies. This gave students clinical training and experience under local supervision so they would feel more at home during clinical rotations in their own communities.

Filling a Need

The program already appears a blessing for local EMS agencies. Interested and qualified personnel are scarce. These students will gain NREMT certification when they’ve successfully completed the program. They need only to submit the fees and paperwork after graduating high school to get their license to practice.

Up to seven area high schools have similar programs. Crockett’s is the only one using an experienced EMS provider as an instructor. Backberg is working on her master’s degree at East Tennessee State University.

Students are very impressionable in high school. For an EMS program’s success, the teacher must not only teach but serve as a mentor. Being there to answer questions and help candidates relate to the profession is a must.

Road to Completion

The EMT candidates from Crockett High tested at classes’ end at Northeast State’s Kingsport campus. They were held to the same standards as previous candidates.

All eight candidates passed their psychomotor exams. As the time of this writing, they were preparing for their cognitives.

Upon completion of their psychomotor exams, the students took the EMT oath. This oath, administered by an official from the state EMS office, solemnizes and gives credence to their work. It may help them realize the importance and serious nature of the profession.

As their school year winds down, the class continues to learn and practice skills. Ultimately these students will be an asset in any community they choose. They’ve shown much initiative and dedication to come this far.

John M. Dabbs is a consultant and investigator for the Northeast Tennessee Regional Health Office.