In this course, you will get a thorough introduction to the emergency medical services system, and learn the foundation components to how it works as a whole. You will also learn the nuts and bolts of becoming a healthcare provider, and gain some basic knowledge about the human body. By the end of the course, you will be able to 1) understand the history and components of the EMS system, 2) speak the language of medicine with basic medical terminology, as well as have an understanding of basic human anatomy, 3) understand the different types of communications and how they are specific to EMS, 4) take vital signs and master the normal from the abnormal, and 5) master personal and scene safety, and begin the process of patient assessment.
EMT Foundations
EMT Foundations
This course is part of Become an EMT Specialization
Instructors: Angela Wright, MD
61,296 already enrolled
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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
1,139 reviews
Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
1 week at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course
Skills you'll gain
- Health Systems
- Clinical Assessment
- Medical History Documentation
- Medical Terminology
- Personal protective equipment
- Emergency Medicine
- Vital Signs
- Technical Communication
- Patient Communication
- Patient Positioning
- Occupational Health
- Patient Evaluation
- Basic Patient Care
- Anatomy
- Stress Management
- Emergency Medical Services
- Health Assessment
Details to know
Shareable certificate
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Assessments
7 assignments
Taught in English
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This course is part of the Become an EMT Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 5 modules in this course
In this module, you will learn about the nuts and bolts of the emergency medical services system. We will cover some brief history of EMS, as well as breakdown the different components of the system. There will be discussion about some of the medical and legal issues that are persistent in the practice of prehospital medicine. We will also address workplace safety and provider wellness, because you cannot take care of other people unless you are learning to take care of yourself!
What's included
8 videos8 readings2 assignments
In this module, we will learn a new language. This module will cover basic medical terminology and some tips and tricks for “talking the talk.” This is also where we will cover the basics of anatomy of the human body! We will teach you the basics of human anatomy of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, abdominal, neurologic and endocrine system.
What's included
11 videos2 readings1 assignment
Essential to emergency medical services is communication. This module will discuss the various parts of the job that require communication and the different strategies to employ clear and concise communication. You will learn about the SBAR method of hand off reports, learn how to successfully communicate with patients, and we will cover some pearls and pitfalls to communicating within the EMS system.
What's included
10 videos3 readings1 assignment
Here we will cover vital signs, and learn about why they are vital! We will be teaching you how to take a blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse, and assess a patient’s skin. We will also learn about taking a history during a patient encounter, and learn some standard approaches to this including the OPQRST and AMPLE templates of history taking.
What's included
10 videos5 readings1 assignment
In this last module, we will be discussing some bread and butter components of EMS. The first is scene safety and assessment of a scene. Then we will cover the complete assessment of a medical patient, and a trauma patient, using the national registry as our guideline. By the end of this, you will know how to communicate with patients and how to perform a thorough assessment of any patient you may encounter.
What's included
14 videos3 readings2 assignments
Earn a career certificate
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Instructors
Instructor ratings
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Status: Free TrialMedCerts
Status: Free TrialUniversity of Colorado System
Status: Free TrialUniversity of Colorado System
Status: Free TrialUniversity of Colorado System
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Showing 3 of 1139
EH
Reviewed on Apr 3, 2021
The presenters were very informed and the information was delivered in a very structured and easy-to-follow manner. The reference materials followed this pattern as well.
SI
Reviewed on Dec 28, 2019
Very thorough debrief of basic skills needed before indulging into the course further. While also providing the necessary tools and vocabulary to help the learner become successful.
JH
Reviewed on Jun 28, 2020
A very thorough course, going through the fundamentals of being an EMT. It helped me to learn new skills and refresh on my old ones. Definitely recommend for anyone to do.
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Frequently asked questions
IMPORTANT UPDATE: "Become an EMT" Specialization & NREMT Certification
Current Course Status
The existing version of the "Become an EMT" specialization no longer meets the updated certification standards implemented by the NREMT in 2024. The current version cannot be used to qualify for NREMT examination. It remains a valuable resource for anyone exploring emergency medical services, continuing education, or general EMS knowledge. The current version is not a pathway to NREMT certification at this time.
New Version Coming Summer 2026
A fully redesigned NREMT‑aligned specialization is scheduled to launch in Summer 2026. NREMT‑aligned specialization is scheduled to launch in Summer 2026. This update ensures the course meets all current certification requirements and supports your long‑term success.
Path to NREMT Certification with the New Course
Two components must be successfully completed to sit for the NREMT exam:
If You Are Currently Enrolled
If you are enrolled and working toward NREMT certification, we recommend pausing your participation and waiting for the Summer 2026 specialization. The knowledge you've already gained will still hold value as you start the new course, however, the current course will not carry over to the new version.
If You Are Considering Enrollment
We recommend waiting for the new NREMT-eligible specialization when it launches in Summer 2026. Until then, the current specialization remains a solid foundation for:
Questions? Reach out to us anytime at uchmedic@uchealth.org — we're happy to help you plan your path forward.
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
More questions
Financial aid available,