Advanced Emergency Medical Technician - January 2026

Join us for the January 2026 course! 

The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) course offered in partnership with the MESA Education Institute prepares the student to function competently as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician as described in the National EMS Scope of Practice Model. The primary focus of EMS providers at this level takes the skill and knowledge set of the EMT and adds new skills and treatment modalities for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system.

The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician functions as part of a comprehensive EMS system and functions under medical oversight to provide emergency care at a higher level than EMT level providers but less than that provided by a Paramedic level provider. 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Advanced EMT cognitive exam necessary to be certified as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.

This program is offered in a blended/hybrid format and will require a combination of remote online learning and in-person learning at the training center located at the MESA Elizabethtown Station. In-person instruction will take place one weekend day a month following the course schedule. Students may attempt to schedule in-person instruction at other times based on appointment availability. Clinical time is a component of this program and students can expect to spend 150+ hours (or as many as needed to complete the AEMT Student Minimum Competency requirements) applying their knowledge and skills in both an EMS system and ER environment. Clinical experience is required in this program and students may complete clinicals at a variety of approved EMS organizations, in the Lancaster General Hospital ER, and at Women’s and Babies Hospital. Hospital based clinical experience does require further documentation to be discussed upon the start of class.

The program is limited to 10 students. Students should complete the application and submit for approval prior to the start of the program to ensure the student is prepared for this program. A letter of recommendation by a current EMS agency and/or medical director is suggested. Students must also complete the PA State Criminal background check as well as the Child Abuse Clearance and FBI Fingerprinting prior to starting the program. Applications must be submitted to cwright@mesalancasterpa.gov by December 19, 2025!

For specific questions about the AEMT program, please contact Chris Wright at cwright@mesalancasterpa.gov.

Prerequisite: Current certification as a Pennsylvania EMT, minimum 18 years of age and required clearances.