National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is a national EMS professional association representing all EMTs and Paramedics. Although a US national association, international members are welcomed with the association having an international division. The NAEMT educational programs also have an international scope.

The mission statement of NAEMT (from their web site) "is to represent and serve Emergency Medical Services personnel through advocacy, educational programs and research."

Founded in 1975, the association is composed of multiple divisions and committees.

Three unique educational programs are offered by the NAEMT. These are a sixteen (16) hour format, two-day program short course that consists of several lectures, as well as teaching and evaluation stations.

Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS)


Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) as a course is sponsored by the NAEMT and endorsed by the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP). This course covers the most common medical complaints and provides method of rapidly assessing and managing a patient in medical crisis.

Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)


Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) as a course is based on the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), a course for physicians developed by the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma. PHTLS courses follow the principles of care of trauma patients as developed by this Committee on Trauma. The Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons also provides the medical direction and content oversight for the PHTLS program.

Although originating in the United States, PHTLS is international in scope and courses are found in 33 countries worldwide. PHTLS is also equivalent to ITLS course.

Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC)


Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) is the newest NAEMT educational program, introduced in 2000 as the Pediatric Prehospital Care course. EPC replaced PPC in February 2007. The course provides prehospital providers instruction in the approach of to sick and injured children. Areas covered include respiratory, cardiovascular, medical, and traumatic emergencies, as well as the treatment of children with special health care requirements.

EPC is also equivalent to a PALS course.