UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) was recently designated as a test site for the National Registry Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam.

The University is now authorized to offer Basic, Advanced and Paramedic Psychomotor National Registry exams. Tests will be scheduled and coordinated as needed.

Through the efforts of Steve Dawald, Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) Deputy Fire Chief and UNM-LA Fire Science Program Coordinator, and LAFD Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division Chief Ben Stone, an adjunct instructor at UNM-LA, the university hosted the first exam under this new designation.

The EMTs from LAFD who served as proctors are all nationally registered paramedics.

The NREMT Psychomotor exam evaluates students on ten different EMS related skills. The tests include a medical and trauma assessment, advanced adult airway management, pediatric airway management, pediatric intraosseous access and medication administration, intravenous therapy with medication administration, cardiac arrest management, and two stabilization skills: backboarding and splinting. Each skill is graded by a proctor, who assesses for the demonstration of specific "critical criteria."

Twelve students participated in the exam and all successfully passed the psychomotor portion.

Two of the 12 students are current UNM-LA Fire Science students, and all 12 participants completed the Advanced EMT course through UNM-LA to qualify for the exam.

In addition to the psychomotor test, the students must also pass a written exam, offered off-site through a 3rd party. Once both exams are completed, the successful candidate will receive a National Registry Advanced EMT license. This license is accepted by the New Mexico EMS Bureau. The Bureau, upon receipt of the National Registry test score, and proof of successful course completion, will issue the candidate a New Mexico Advanced EMT license.

UNM-LA offers one semester courses for EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate, as well as programs leading to an Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Service and an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science.