The Cognitive exam is the other requirement for NREMT certification. It is a written test which is administered using a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) format. EMT candidates must choose the MOST correct answer using the CAT.
There are 10 tips for passing the Cognitive exam here. Nevada EMT training candidates can sign up for the Cognitive exam by going to the NREMT website, creating an account and registering for a test date.
After passing both the psychomotor and cognitive exams, Nevada EMT candidates will be contacted by National Registry of EMTs by mail. The NREMT will send the EMT certification along with a letter of congratulations by mail. For this reason, it’s important to have an up to date address on your NREMT online profile.
Now that you have earned an NREMT certification it’s likely you want to begin working as a Nevada EMT. First you have to apply for a Nevada State or Clark County certification at your local EMS agency office.
It’s possible to work as a Las Vegas EMT even if you don’t meet the proof of residence or proof of employment requirements in Clark County right now.
Candidates can get an EMT license in Nevada elsewhere and then apply for reciprocity in Clark County later when you do meet the requirements.
Nevada Certification Requirements
• A Nevada EMT must be at least 18 years old.
• Nevada EMT applicant must complete an EMT training program.
• A Nevada EMT must pass both the Cognitive and Psychomotor NREMT exams.
• Nevada EMT should have an active CPR-BLS for the Healthcare Provider card.
• Nevada EMT applicant must turn in a completed Application for Initial Certification/Licensure.
• A EMT in Nevada must have a Nevada Drivers License or State of Nevada ID.
• Nevada EMT applicant must complete a FBI and State of Nevada fingerprint-based criminal history background check.
• A Nevada EMT applicant must pay a certification fee.
• Clark County also requires proof of residence or proof of current EMS employment in Clark County for all EMT Applicants.
Nevada EMT applicants in Clark County will also have to answer the following questions:
– Can you speak, read, and write English?
– Have you ever been certified as an EMS provider?
– Have you ever been licensed as an Ambulance/Firefighter Attendant or Air Ambulance Attendant?
– Have you ever had an investigation of your EMS certificate or license?
– Have you ever surrendered any type of EMS certificate or license in any state or to a state agency?
– Have you ever been subject to suspension or revocation of an EMS certificate or license? This includes your right to practice in a health care occupation, if applicable.
– Have you ever been denied any type of EMS certificate or license in any state by a state agency?– Have you ever received deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor?
– Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
– Have you ever been convicted of a gross misdemeanor?
– Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation, ex: parking violation or speeding ticket?
Clark County EMT applicants will also have to provide a statement indicating compliance with child support payments.
Paramedic Certification Requirements
Paramedics should meet all the above requirements including:
• Nevada Paramedic must have an ACLS card.
• Nevada Paramedic must have a PALS card.
• Nevada Paramedic must have an International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) Provider card.
• Nevada Paramedic applicant must complete Weapons of Mass Destruction Surveillance and Health Alert Network training.
• Nevada Paramedic applicants should complete the Emergency Medical Services Certificate Application.
EMT Scope of Practice
The Nevada emergency medical technician is trained to respond to emergency situations in the field, transport the sick and injured, and perform life saving interventions during transport. Nevada EMT training teaches candidates to remain professional and keep calm in a variety of difficult situations.
A Nevada EMT can work in many different environments including in a hospital ED, with an Ambulance Service or with a Fire Agency. Some other possibilities are working with the Police Department, with a mining operation, or in any other occupational field where it’s possible to have medical emergencies.
EMT’s are an important part of the emergency medical system and provide safe transport from the scene of an emergency to a higher level of care.
Nevada EMTs may only provide emergency medical care when on duty functioning in the role of an EMT.
A Clark County EMT can perform the following skills and administer medications per written treatment protocols.
- Use of Nasopharyngeal airway adjuncts
- Use of Oropharyngeal airway airway adjuncts
- Use Airway Suction
- Apply Cervical Stabilization
- Perform CPR
- Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Perform Glucose Measurement
- Oxygen Administration
- Perform Patient Assessments
- Use of Pulse Oximetry
- Placement of Restraints
- Splinting Injured Extremities
- Perform Stroke Screening
- Use of Thermometers
- Medication Administration (See Below)
EMT Scope of Practice – MEDICATIONS
- Administer Acetylsalicylic Acid
- Administer Activated Charcoal
- Use Bronchodilator Metered Dose Inhaler
- Use Epinephrine Autoinjector
- Administer Glucose – Oral
- Use of Nitroglycerin
AEMT Scope of Practice
The Nevada AEMT can perform advanced emergency medical care and work as an Ambulance Attendant, Firefighter, or Air Ambulance Attendant. An AEMT in Nevada can alongside Paramedics, function as part of a pre-hospital care team, or join a state permitted ALS agency. The AEMT has all the training of the EMT and was previously known as an EMT Intermediate (EMT-I).
An Advanced Emergency Medical Technician in Clark County can perform all of the above skills, administer all the above medications along with the following:
- Use of Capnometry (Color Change Device)
- Obtain Vascular IV Access
- Can Obtain Vascular Intraosseous Access in Adults
AEMT Scope of Practice – MEDICATIONS
- Administer Albuterol
- Administer Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
- Use of Epinephrine
- Use of Glucagon
- Use of Glucose Sterile Injectable
- Administer Naloxone Hydrochloride
- Use Solu-Cortef
Paramedic Scope of Practice
Nevada Paramedics are trained in ACLS with a more advanced knowledge base and skill set than the AEMT and EMT. Nevada Paramedics have a vast knowledge of medications and can perform many more life saving interventions in the field and during transport.
Paramedics primarily provide care for critical and emergency patients in need of more complex interventions. Paramedics in Nevada also have many more hours of training than the EMT and AEMT which includes training in trauma life support and mass casualty situations.
A Clark County Paramedic can perform all of the above skills, administer all the above medications along with the following:
- Use and Interpret 12-Lead ECG
- Use and Interpret 3-Lead ECG
- Use Capnometry (Continuous Waveform)
- Perform Carotid Massage
- Apply CPAP
- Administer Manual Defibrillation
- Perform Nasal Endotracheal Intubation
- Perform Oral Endotracheal Intubation
- Perform Gastric Decompression
- Induced Hypothermia when appropriate
- Perform Needle Cricothyroidotomy
- Perform Needle Thoracentesis
- Perform Synchronized Cardioversion
- Replacement of Tracheostomy Tube
- Perform Transcutaneous Pacing
- Perform Vagal Maneuvers
Paramedic Scope of Practice – MEDICATIONS
- Adenosine
- Amiodarone
- Atropine Sulfate
- Calcium Chloride
- Diazepam
- Dopamine Hydrochloride
- Droperidol
- Etomidate
- Fentanyl Citrate
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxocobalamin
- Ipratropium Bromide
- Ipratropium Bromide & Albuterol Sulfate Ketamine
- Lidocaine 2% Lubricant
- Magnesium Sulfate
- Midazolam
- Morphine Sulfate
- Ondansetron Hydrochloride
- Phenylephrine
- Sodium Bicarbonate