Primary Care Technician Curriculum©(PCT)

The Primary Care Technician (PCT) navigates and establishes systems to better serve the citizens of their communities. They help individuals and communities overcome barriers that prevent them from accessing and benefitting from health services. They serve as advocates, facilitators, liaisons, community brokers, and resource coordinators. Primary Care Technicians are educated as community health practitioners, which will ensure basic levels of care according to an established Plan of Care appropriate to prevention, emergencies, evaluation, and triage.

Didactic sessions may be both synchronous via Zoom and asynchronous via Google Classroom. A flipped classroom format allows for pre-class learning and in-class engaging discussion. Students complete specific patient care activities, as a clinical experience, according to local community needs.

Prerequisite: Currently certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and have two (2) years of full-time service as an EMT, or its part-time equivalent.

Award Outcomes:

• Explain the scope of service for the role of the Primary Care Technician.
• Differentiate between the role of the Primary Care Technician, traditional community health care workers, and emergency medical personnel.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills required to assist a patient with an established Plan of Care.
• Evaluate treatment and referral programs according to policies and protocols.
• Evaluate the characteristics of health in the community.
• Identify relevant health and welfare services.
• Characterize the role of the PCT as a liaison between patients, health, and welfare service providers, and community advocates.

Career Opportunities: Job opportunities are available in any organization that provides community health care, emergency medical services, and public health.

Program Outline:

• Role Advocacy and Outreach
• Community Assessment
• Care Coordination Practicum

Course descriptions:

Role Advocacy and Outreach

An introduction to the role and function of the Community Paramedic (CP) and the Primary Care Technician (PCT) | Community EMT. The student will learn about the Community Paramedic's specific role and function as a member of the health care team and part of the community. The student will identify the components of the role, define it, and explain the "scope of service" for the position of CP and PCT. Emphasis is placed on the identification of disparities within patient groups and patient interactions within local healthcare systems. Hennepin transfer credit value: 3

Learning Outcomes

• Recognize the "scope of practice" of the CP and PCT|Community EMT
• Explain the definition of health from a community perspective
• Link communities with health and social service systems
• Outline methods on how to interact with local health care and social service systems
• Articulate the need and perspective of the community to health and social service systems for appropriate care resources
• Describe how literacy levels can impact health
• Identify social determinants of health
• Develop a plan to address social determinants of health in the community

Community Assessment

This course is designed to introduce the role of the Community Paramedic (CP) and Primary Care Technician (PCT) | Community EMT, as a member of the health care team within the community assessment. Students will; map the community, identify health care services, describe the demographics of the community, assess their impact on the health of the clients, gain an understanding of community health services for patient care referral and resources, and determine how a CP and PCT will effectively fill healthcare gaps within their communities. Hennepin transfer credit value: 2

Learning Outcomes:

• Map community healthcare systems
• Understand community health services
• Analyze community health resources
• Document community health resources
• Identify the health and social needs of underserved communities
• Describe the demographics of the community
• Identify the effects of demographics on the health of the community
• Describe quantitative data as it relates to the health of the community

Care Coordination Practicum

This course will provide the student with clinical experience under the supervision of a medical director, physician, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, or public health provider. The student will recommend appropriate health and/or social care professionals for the patient, prioritize jobs, and assist the patient in following an established Plan of Care. Prior to beginning this clinical experience, the student will determine appropriate clinical competencies with guidance from the Medical Director and obtain a Memorandum of Understanding for each clinical site. The student's placement in the clinical is based on qualifications and past training and experience. Hennepin transfer credit value: 1

Learning Outcomes:

• Evaluate care for appropriateness related to the delivery location
• Recommend the most appropriate health and/or social care professional
• Provide follow-up services according to the established care plan
• Demonstrate competency in skill areas required for clinical interventions
• Develop safe treatment and referral programs through policies and protocols
• Demonstrate competency needed to share public information related to EMS prevention programs

The Primary Care Technician™ does not work alone but as part of a primary health care delivery system. This curriculum is the foundation of Community Paramedicine education and competency.

✳️ All of our Community Paramedicine Programs offer customizable scheduling for organizations and individuals. If this opportunity is of interest, reach out and let us know!

✳️ Additional questions: [email protected]

Registration Refund and Cancellation Policy

***Cancellation and Refund requests must be made in writing 14 days prior to the start of the class. In the event of a last-minute emergency, course rescheduling may be considered.

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