Emergency Medical Services

In Virginia there are multiple levels of certification within the Emergency Medical Services. The entry level is Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), followed by Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad hosts Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification courses. Those who certified as an EMT can take additional training to become an Advanced EMT (AEMT). With additional training one can also reach the highest certification, Paramedic.

The Virginia Department of Health has a number of resources for those interested in becoming an Emergency Medical Services provider in Virginia. There are details about the various levels of certification, student resources, and classes offered.

EMT Certification Course

The Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad hosts Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) initial certification courses each spring, summer, and fall. The course is four months long and involves classroom lectures, hands-on training, on-line learning, and ride-alongs on rescue calls. The course is to prepare candidates to sit for the National Registry Cognitive Exam. When a candidate passes the exam they will be issued a full National Registry certification and Virginia certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, able to provide Basic Life Support (BLS). After passing the exam, there may be additional requirements, depending on the agency you plan to work or volunteer with, to become a cleared provider. BVRS requires a probationary period after passing the exam with additional training to practice the skills learned in the course under the direction of a preceptor.

The courses offered by BVRS have two options — a class meeting weekly in person, either on Monday or Wednesday evenings, or a class that is primarily online with four required weekends for in-person skills training. Students must be motivated and self-disciplined.

All students must be at least 16 years of age on the first day of class.

Attendance Policy

Per Virginia Emergency Medical Services Regulations 12 VAC5-31-1501:

A. Students must complete a minimum of 85% of the didactic and lab aspects of the course. Students are only allowed to miss a total of seventeen (17) hours of class (excused or unexcused). Any student missing more than seventeen (17) hours of class will be dropped from the course.

*Each class may have it’s own separate rules and regulations that students must follow to be allowed to test.