TeddyRucpin Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 (edited) I am planning to use some conference time in my paramedic role to take some additional courses; I am interested in ATLS (I've taken PHTLS, The Difficult Airway EMS, and many of the typical alphabet courses so far). I am matriculating to PA school this summer. Has anyone taken ATLS while enrolled as a student? I know it can be pricey; however, we do have a reimbursement program from my hospital and get paid for the days to be there. Thoughts? I am very interested in EM in the future. I feel this additional knowledge would be great. Edited February 25, 2021 by TeddyRucpin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted February 25, 2021 Moderator Share Posted February 25, 2021 I took ATLS at my program's affiliated hospital for free as a student right before my trauma surgery rotation. Highly recommended. great course. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 I took it decades ago and I recall some saying that the course content wasn’t in keeping with real time treatment recommendations. Things may have changed since then. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted February 26, 2021 Moderator Share Posted February 26, 2021 5 hours ago, GetMeOuttaThisMess said: I took it decades ago and I recall some saying that the course content wasn’t in keeping with real time treatment recommendations. Things may have changed since then. version 10 is pretty good. Includes FAST, etc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohiovolffemtp Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 I've taken ATLS both as a medic and as a PA. The big difference is that as a medic I only got a certificate as an "auditor". As a PA, I got certification as a "physician extender" - viewed by my hospitals as the same as the cert for docs. It's not a bad course, but the underlying concepts really seem like making sure ED providers prioritize rapid stabilization and transfer to definitive care. In other words, think like medics have for years. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted February 26, 2021 Moderator Share Posted February 26, 2021 13 minutes ago, ohiovolffemtp said: I've taken ATLS both as a medic and as a PA. The big difference is that as a medic I only got a certificate as an "auditor". As a PA, I got certification as a "physician extender" - viewed by my hospitals as the same as the cert for docs. It's not a bad course, but the underlying concepts really seem like making sure ED providers prioritize rapid stabilization and transfer to definitive care. In other words, think like medics have for years. agree. coming from an ems background really helps with EM in general and trauma in particular. Always be thinking about what is next, even before the patient arrives. bad mva? gather the troops, check the availability of lifeflight, lay out equipment you may need, including backups: 7.5 ET tube, king LT airway, crich kit. check. extra nurse from the floor. check. EZ IO and set up for EJs, check. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 11 hours ago, EMEDPA said: agree. coming from an ems background really helps with EM in general and trauma in particular. Always be thinking about what is next, even before the patient arrives. bad mva? gather the troops, check the availability of lifeflight, lay out equipment you may need, including backups: 7.5 ET tube, king LT airway, crich kit. check. extra nurse from the floor. check. EZ IO and set up for EJs, check. Be proactive, not reactive. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeddyRucpin Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 Dumb question, would taking the course as a PA student allow the actual certificate/card to be awarded or do you need to be a real deal PA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LT_Oneal_PAC Posted March 10, 2021 Moderator Share Posted March 10, 2021 Pretty sure you can only audit as a student 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted March 11, 2021 Administrator Share Posted March 11, 2021 2 hours ago, LT_Oneal_PAC said: Pretty sure you can only audit as a student I think that's correct. Most of the other merit badges (ACLS, etc.) don't care who you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohiovolffemtp Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Yes, have to be a PA or NP to get the "physician extender" certification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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