as Vital Signs, where classes are given over the duration of a weekend. Classroom A wide variety of topics are covered in class with specific didactic laboratory time. These topics include: Foundations of the EMT-Critical Care Technician Overview of Human Systems/Roles and Responsibilities Emergency Pharmacology Venous Access and Medication Administration Airway Management And Ventilation Patient Assessment History Taking Techniques of Physical Exam Clinical Decision Making Communications and Documentation Trauma Emergencies Trauma Systems and Mechanism of Injury Hemorrhage and Shock Burns Head, Thoracic & Abdominal Trauma Trauma Practical Laboratory Medical Emergencies Respiratory Emergencies Cardiovascular Emergencies Diabetic Emergencies Allergic Reactions Poison/Overdose Neurological Emergencies Non Traumatic Abdominal Emergencies Environmental Emergencies Behavioral Emergencies Gynecological Emergencies Obstetrical Emergencies Neonatal Resuscitation Pediatrics Geriatrics Clinical Setting A significant amount of time is spent observing and assisting health care professionals in various clinical settings such as the Emergency Department, Operating Room, Coronary Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Burn Unit and Medical Intensive Care Unit. The clinical time is designed to expose the student to a large volume and variety of patients in an educational setting so didactic skills and clinical knowledge can be practiced and refined. Field EMT-CC students participate in many EMS calls in the field that require ALS skills under an EMT-CC or Paramedic preceptor. Field clinical time represents the phase of instruction where students learn how to apply cognitive knowledge, and the skills developed in the didactic laboratories and hospital clinical time, to the EMS field environment. "Ride time" in the field usually happens in phases where the student only observes in Phase I, applies skills as directed by his preceptor in Phase II, and functions independently with oversight and input from the preceptor in Phase III. Students are generally considered "ready to function as an entry-level AEMT-CC" upon passing state practical and written exams, although individual agencies may require them to also complete in-service training and supervised probationary time once they receive their AEMT-CC card. Scope of Practice EMT-CCs, like all EMS providers, follow a set of protocols for patient care under the guidance of a medical director. These protocols are typically listed in an algorithm format and consist of either routine standing orders or orders that require direct, on-line communication with medical control via radio or telephone. As compared to a Paramedic, an EMT-CC has fewer routine standing orders and requires more contact with medical control. While the