HSA celebrates new EMT graduates

Eight Caymanians recently completed the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training programme offered by the HSA. The addition from this latest cohort further strengthens our capacity to respond to medical emergencies and save lives in the Cayman Islands.

Funded and delivered by the HSA, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) entry-level education programme provides training opportunities through an accredited process. The current aim is to increase the supply of local personnel in preparation for expanding EMS stations located in various districts.

“The HSA received almost 11,000 calls for service in 2022 (6692 were 911 calls and 3836 were non-emergency calls). With a growing population, it is essential to build the capacity to meet the needs of our patients. The successful completion of the EMT training programme by these eight Caymanians brings us one step closer to supporting the HSA’s plans to expand our EMS services to the eastern districts, and to significantly improve the response times of our ambulance service,” commented HSA’s CEO Ms Lizzette Yearwood.

EMS Manager Stephen Duval said, “After beginning their journey in early 2022, these students progressed through practical and theoretical training interventions and are now equipped with a specialized skillset and tools that enable them to handle emergencies, whether this includes assessing and treating a patient who’s having a heart attack or a stroke, or even deliver a baby. We are extremely proud also to offer this training to our citizens.”

Graduate Derrick Elliot shared, “This programme has taught me that EMS is a vital component of healthcare, public health and public safety. The skills we learned play a key role in ensuring patient safety and preservation of life before and during patient transfers. This reduces the worsening of life-threatening illnesses or injuries.”

“I am grateful for this opportunity. As an EMT I have the potential to make an impact in my community by helping people in dire situations. I am looking forward to furthering my career by gaining more knowledge from advanced EMTs and paramedics and pursuing the intermediate programme and eventually the paramedic programme,” he added.

The HSA’s EMT Training programme is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), which enables local students to sit for the United States National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. This credentialing allows students greater mobility to progress clinically to the Advanced EMT or Paramedic level.

The programme’s curriculum includes anatomy and physiology, oxygen therapy, basic life support (BLS) management, patient assessments, airway management, pediatric and obstetrical emergencies, trauma assessment, safe handling and moving, and emergency response driving.

Successful candidates now have the opportunity to apply for full-time employment at the HSA.