Indianapolis EMS to Offer Paid EMT Trainee Program

Posted on by Brian Vanbokkelen

Indianapolis EMS to Offer Paid EMT Trainee Program

Indianapolis – Indianapolis EMS (IEMS) is launching its next cohort of a training and employment program designed to offer participants a paid pathway to emergency medical technician (EMT) certification and employment with the service upon completion. This unique opportunity will provide an entry point to a life-long heath care career.

Applications are now being accepted for the EMT Trainee program which is available for residents, with no prior EMS experience, to be hired as full-time, benefited employees of IEMS to complete an accelerated EMT certification program and then continue their employment as an EMT, working on an ambulance. The education, training and certification part of the program will take approximately 10 weeks. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who has been interested in a career in either EMS or health care in general, as it provides a paid pathway to a growing, in demand career.

“Working in EMS puts you on the front lines of both public safety and public health, serving your community,” said Dr. Dan O’Donnell, chief of IEMS. “Many people have interest in a health care career, but personal circumstances have made it difficult to pursue. The EMT Trainee program is a fully paid opportunity to enter the world of EMS, to work and learn simultaneously, and have access to a pathway for career growth thanks to our continuing education and tuition reimbursement opportunities for employees.”

The EMT Trainee program is open to anyone at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent and meets driver’s license requirements. Those interested in applying for the program must submit an application by April 1, with the program formally beginning May 9. This can be linked through the “careers” section of IndianapolisEMS.org. For additional information, a series of virtual information sessions will be held on March 14 at 6 p.m. and March 23 at 6 p.m. To RSVP for one of these sessions, please text IEMS to 317.597.8069.

Media availabilities should be directed to Brian Van Bokkelen.

Indianapolis EMS Partners for Pediatric Seizure Study

Posted on by Brian Vanbokkelen

CONTACT: Brian Van Bokkelen 
Email: brian.vanbokkelen@indianapolisems.org 

Indianapolis EMS Partners for Pediatric Seizure Study 

Indianapolis – Indianapolis EMS (IEMS) is partnering for a study aimed at standardizing the process for paramedics to administer seizure medication to children. The results of this study could lead to substantial improvements in outcomes for childhood seizures. 

Seizures are one of the most common reasons for people to call for an ambulance for a child, and those that don’t stop on their own can be life-threatening. Paramedics currently have medications available to treat seizures, but delays can occur due to having to calculate how much to administer or how to administer it. The Pediatric Dose Optimization for Seizures in EMS (PediDOSE) trial will evaluate if an age-based, calculation-free method of quickly giving the right medication dose improves outcomes in children. Participating agencies will replace the conventional methods for calculating the midazolam dose, the drug most commonly used to treat seizures, with a new standardized treatment plan. The study will focus on children six months to 13 years of age, who are experiencing seizures and being treated and transported by IEMS. 

“In medical emergencies, a paramedic is usually the very first contact with the patient and they are qualified to administer life-saving medications on scene,” said Nancy Glober, M.D., IEMS deputy medical director. “We are hopeful that the results of this PediDOSE study will provide new guidance to decrease the time needed to determine and administer the appropriate dose of midazolam needed to stop a pediatric seizure, therefore improving the chance of a positive outcome.” 

IEMS is one of 20 EMS organizations across the country participating in this study, which will enroll patients for approximately four years. Participating EMS agencies will be randomly assigned a timeline for adopting the standardized treatment plan. This will allow researchers to compare the new standardized treatment plan to current methods and ensure safe implementation of the new standardized protocol. 

“When seconds count, administering the appropriate medication or treatment quickly means everything,” said Gregory Faris, M.D., IEMS pediatric medical director. “We are excited to be part of this important study, which could greatly impact our seizure treatment protocols.” 

The official start date of the study in Marion County is still to be determined and participants will be enrolled under an exception from informed consent process that follows federal rules for emergency research. 

Media availabilities should be directed to Brian Van Bokkelen. 

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Indianapolis EMS is the largest provider of emergency pre-hospital medical care in the state, responding to more than 120,000 911 calls each year. As a partnership between the City of Indianapolis, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County, with Eskenazi Health as the supervising health system, IEMS strives to provide the best pre-hospital medical services to the community through the endless pursuit of excellence in patient-centered care, education, efficiency, efficacy, safety, and quality of service. Our mission: Right care. Every patient. Every time.

To learn more about IEMS, visit www.IndianapolisEMS.org. You can also follow IEMS on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/IndianapolisEMS), Twitter (http://twitter.com/IndianapolisEMS) and Instagram (http://instagram.com/IndianapolisEMS).

The Role of CORE Interventions

Posted on by Brian Vanbokkelen

The Community Outreach Resource Efficiency (CORE) program was created in 2012 as a division of Indianapolis (Ind.) Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) in partnership with Eskenazi Health. Since then, CORE has grown, and now has a team of two community paramedics, six community health workers, an EMT and a social worker. By leveraging this diverse and effective combination of expertise, the team can work with individuals who experience a combination of complex medical and social needs.

CORE aims to increase self-management, reduce acute care utilization, and improve clinical outcomes. CORE works alongside healthcare providers, facilitating self-care through a focus on social determinants of health and access to care. The program supports individuals along with their families and caregivers in their everyday environment to navigate the fragmented healthcare system.

By Unnati Patel Read the entire article in Journal of Emergency Medical Services.