Fully online course
EMS Instructor Course
The essential teaching knowledge and skills to become an effective instructor, delivered fully online over five weeks of live sessions and guided self-paced work.
Optional textbook and resources available; see details below.
About the course
The Prodigy EMS Instructor Course provides the essential teaching knowledge and skills required to be an effective instructor. The outcome-based curriculum is divided into modules designed to meet and exceed the US Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2002 Guidelines for Educating EMS Instructors for entry-level EMS educators. Modules cover the basic principles and practices of learning and motivation, legal and ethical considerations, psychomotor and skills development, scenario and simulation facilitation, coaching and clinical precepting, hybrid and flipped learning methodology, direct instruction, evaluating student competency, research, and cultural humility.
The course is appropriate for all levels. Some participants arrive with no prior teaching or precepting experience and want to become a skills instructor in their local program, some are preparing for their first intern, and others are experienced lead instructors, program directors, or state officials. That range of backgrounds enriches the discussion and the cooperative learning environment. For some, this is their first exposure to adult learning principles; for others, it's a contemporary perspective on how cognitive science, motivation, and belonging shape learning and performance in EMS.
Your course coordinator
Dr. Heather Davis, EdD, NRP
Course coordinator
Heather Davis is the Director of Student Assessment at the David Geffen School of Medicine. She is responsible for managing a valid, reliable, and equitable assessment program used to enhance learning and verify the competency of undergraduate medical students at UCLA. She previously spent more than 20 years at the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care, in both the Associate Director and Program Director roles. As the Education Director for LA County Fire, she managed education programs for over 3000 firefighter EMTs and Paramedics. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California and teaches as an Associate Adjunct Professor in the Rossier School of Education. Dr. Davis served 15 years on the NREMT Board of Directors and was honored with NAEMT's Rocco Morando Lifetime Achievement Award.
Meet your instructors
Ginger Locke
David Page
Katie O'Connor
Dr. Sol Montero
What you'll learn, week by week
An overview of the weekly modules. For the complete breakdown, download the full syllabus.
Course outcomes
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of EMS instructors.
- Write correct learning objectives and apply motivation theory.
- Create lesson plans using a variety of teaching techniques.
- Deliver and assess psychomotor skills.
- Provide fair, timely, and constructive feedback.
- Advocate for diversity, inclusion, and cultural humility.
Prerequisites
This is an open-enrollment course; no prior teaching experience is required. Participants are usually experienced EMS practitioners and enthusiastic role models for lifelong learning. NHTSA and Prodigy recommend that, ideally, the entry-level EMS educator will have completed a course of academic study and gained clinical experience as an EMS provider, registered nurse, physician, or other allied health practitioner before entering the educator program.
Optional resources
These materials are recommended but not required to complete the course.
What you'll need
- A stable internet connection.
- A laptop or desktop with a working webcam and microphone.
- A Prodigy account.
- A Zoom account (free is fine).
Active participation on camera and microphone is expected during live sessions.
Frequently asked questions
Course approval by state
This course has been approved as an official educator training program in many states, including:
A few states do not currently accept the course: Michigan, Alabama, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Don't see your state, or not sure? Contact us and we can work on approval.
Ready to become an EMS instructor?
Join the next cohort of the Prodigy EMS Instructor Course.
