Emergency Medical Technician

The EMT course includes both lecture-based learning and hands-on lab instruction. Topics covered include:

• Life-Saving Techniques: CPR, airway management, bleeding control, and shock care.
• Trauma & Medical Assessment: Patient evaluation, spinal immobilization, and emergency response.
• Pre-Hospital Care: Team-based operations, emergency protocols, and EMS legal considerations.
• Professional Skills: Communication strategies, crisis management, and medical documentation.

Lecture Syllabus | Lab & Clinical Syllabus 

This is a 16-week course offered during the Fall 2025 semester.

Classroom & Lab:

MSU-Northern, Havre, MT
Fridays (Time TBD)

Ride-Alongs:

Hands-on field experience with local Fire Departments and EMS agencies.

Students will attend scheduled clinical/observation shifts with a pre-approved site and will conduct a case debrief in lab regarding a complex clinical case from their shift.

Clinical/Observation Hours:

Students will be provided the contact information for the point of contact (POC) for the approved clinical site. Each student will be responsible for scheduling their own clinical/observation hours during the semester.

• • Each student must arrange and complete a minimum of (10) hours of clinical observation, complete (5) patient assessments, and observe (not perform) patient care on at least (5) patients.
  • Students will submit proof of clinical hours and assessments/observations to Canvas.
  • The point of contact (POC) for Havre Fire Department is Assistant Fire Chief Beau Paulsen. Students should call the HFD (406-265-6511) and ask to speak to Ast. Chief Paulsen as soon as possible and work on arranging their clinical/observation hours with HFD.

Without successful completion of clinical/observation, students will receive an incomplete for this class and may have to repeat the clinical class at another time.

Students will complete clinical observation shifts and participate in ride-alongs with local fire departments. These experiences provide real-world exposure to emergency medical services.

Clinical Requirements:

✔ Immunization review

✔ Criminal Background Check (via CastleBranch)

✔ Drug Screening

📌 Note: Failure to complete clinical requirements may prevent students from finishing the course.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam.

Certifications Earned:

✔ AHA Basic Life Support (BLS)

✔ Stop the Bleed Certification

✔ Training for Montana-approved EMT Skill Endorsement

Career Opportunities:

Graduates of the course are prepared for careers in:

• • Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
  • Fire Departments
  • Hospitals & Trauma Centers
  • Search & Rescue Teams
  • Law Enforcement & Public Safety

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)  (Official certification website.)

EMTs serve as first responders in critical situations, making a real difference in their communities.

Frank Zuccala, DNP, FNP-BC, APRN, NRAEMT, FAWM – Course Director & Faculty
Office: Hagener Science Center 110, MSU-Northern
Email: frank.zuccala@msun.edu
Phone: (406) 265-3591

Dr. Zuccala has extensive training and experience in pre-hospital and emergency medicine, as well as teaching experience in pre-hospital medicine skills since 2014. Frank holds board certifications in tactical medicine (TR-C), wilderness medicine (WP-C), emergency nursing (CEN), family nursing practice (FNP-BC), and is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) through the Wilderness Medicine Society (WMS).

Dr. Cameron Scranton M.D. 
Affiliation: Northern Montana Hospital

The Medical Director oversees the EMT course’s clinical components, ensuring that students are trained according to the latest medical protocols and industry standards. They provide guidance on EMS operations, certification requirements, and real-world emergency medical care applications.

📌 Important Resources for EMT Students:

• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)– Exam & Certification Requirements
• CastleBranch – Background Checks & Clinical Requirements
• American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Certification – CPR & Basic Life Support Training
• Stop the Bleed Training – Official Training Program
• Montana Board of Medical Examiners– Licensing Requirements & Regulations
• EMS.gov – National EMS Resources & Guidelines