PRN Ambulance is excited to announce that we are now offering Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) courses available to all healthcare workers in the Los Angeles greater area. Developed by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) and the American College of Surgeon’s Committee on Trauma, PHTLS is considered the gold standard in prehospital trauma patient care worldwide.
Our certification was approved in December 2022, and the first course was completed in February. Thanks in large part to the efforts of Jessie Castillo, Director of Training & QI, the class was a success! Jessie has a true passion for EMS and came to PRN Ambulance with a strong background in training and education. After working in the field for several years, she joined the UCLA EMT and Paramedic faculty to teach EMS. This experience introduced her to the NAEMT and PHTLS. Through the NAEMT, Jessie has traveled abroad to bring PHTLS into countries such as: Mongolia, Panama, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru.
When asked about her previous experiences with the NAEMT she advised, “It was an eye-opening experience to see how other countries conduct EMS. There were things that I learned from them as well as being able to do what I love and share our knowledge of patient trauma care. As mass casualty incidents rise globally, we want first responders to be prepared to handle any situation that comes their way, and these programs bring an awareness that makes our communities safer for everyone.”
Changes and updates in prehospital trauma care happen frequently as our understanding of medicine and anatomy evolve. The best way to stay current is through taking accredited classes like PHTLS which will cover subjects in scene assessment, physiology, airway, hemorrhage, and shock. Knowing the signs and symptoms to identify problems before they arise increases the likelihood of positive outcomes and better patient care overall.
Currently we are offering the PHTLS course at our North Hills location with plans to expand to Huntington Park in the future. The course will be conducted quarterly and is open to all healthcare workers with a focus on EMT’s, Paramedics, Nurses, and EMS Flight staff. The next class will be conducted at the beginning of the summer and dates will be available soon. Whether you need to complete the course as a requirement or just want the extra training under your belt, join us for our next class and get your Prehospital Trauma Life Support course completed at PRN Ambulance!
