The Training Section is responsible for ensuring that all Emergency Medical Responders in Forsyth County are adequately trained, credentialed, and prepared for any incident they may encounter. The Training Section takes “best practices” learned through the quality management process, and transforms that information into operational practice. The Training Section uses a wide array of teaching modalities including traditional classroom, online education, one on one training, and patient simulation training. The section is comprised of three training officers that are certified instructors through NCOEMS.
The Training Section plays a significant role in the recruitment, assessment and training for new employees. Once the selection process is completed, new employees are assigned to the training division for a new employee orientation period. Progress is monitored to ensure new employees are given the best opportunity to succeed.
Additionally, the training section provides continuing education that meets the National Registry requirements, OSHA standards, NC OEMS rules and regulations as well as any training needed to meet other governmental guidelines. The training section also facilitates training and evaluation to help ensure that every EMS employee is physically fit to provide safe patient care.
There is year round community involvement that includes accident prevention and awareness for school aged children. In addition, the department is involved in public events that promote healthy lifestyles and create public awareness about time sensitive events such as brain and heart attacks. The training section is very active in teaching first aid and CPR throughout the county. A close relationship between EMS and the community is forged by the training section.
Orientation
New employee orientation is completed in two phases. The first phase is our classroom portion includes traditional classroom, online education, one on one training, and patient simulation training. This training is completed over a three week period working a typical 0700-1700 Monday through Friday shift.
On the first day of orientation, new employees will be with Human Resources and Information Systems all day, then the second day of orientation employees will report to EMS and should provide the training section copies of all the following: NCOEMS certification, NC driver’s license, vaccination records and other job related training/ certifications.
The first week mostly covers staff introductions, workplace policies, clearance, uniforms and required administrative materials. During the second and third week, employees cover equipment, safe practices, driving, area orientation, patient care and documentation along with many other topics that will help the employee perform their duties.
Following the completion of the class room portion in orientation, new employees will be assigned a shift and the training section along with Crew Chiefs, track the progress of new employees through a field internship. The training section also works closely with administration and the medical director to help facilitate the career progression of each employee.
