course overview

This is a continuous eight-month course. The fall semester is designed to teach basic medical skills. Students may choose a time-intensive EMT certification track or a less intensive Outdoor Emergency Certification (OEC) track. All students meet together on periodic Saturdays. In January the tracks combine to start applying these skills to medical ministry in the developing world. The training culminates with hands-on ministry in one of the poorest corners of the globe.

EMT Certification -or- General Prep

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course is taught by a certified EMT instructor and provides students with national EMT certification. The course uses the National Standard Curriculum, which covers:

  • anatomy & physiology
  • disease & disorders
  • geriatric care
  • environmental emergencies
  • mass casualty incidents
  • extrication & evacuation
  • rescuer well-being
  • trauma
  • assessments
  • pediatric care
  • pharmacology
  • death & dying
  • quality control
The EMT course includes some Saturdays. The EMT and OEC tracks meet together on additional Saturdays. The EMT track requires a much larger time commitment when compared with the OEC track.
The Outdoor Emergency Certification (OEC) course gives students an excellent overview of the above topics. The OEC course was developed by the National Ski Patrol and is taught by a nationally certified instructor.

Developing World Medicine

This section of the course applies your new medical skills to the specific needs and challenges of the developing world. Topics include:

  • top causes of death in the developing world
  • common illnesses of children and adults - assessment, treatment, prevention
  • wound care & suturing
  • basic laboratory tests
  • pregnancy & breast-feeding
  • hygiene & sanitation
  • basic dental assessment
  • nutrition & childhood development
  • vaccinations, shots, starting IVs
  • village health education & assessment
  • medicine in the Kingdom of God
  • mercy, redemption, social justice, humility

Outreach

We travel as a group to provide hands-on healthcare evangelism in poor villages of a developing nation. The location and duration of this trip is determined after the class starts.