NAEMT Designation Will Enhance, Expand MedCom’s Role in Emergency Medicine Training

The photo above shows members of the MedCom leadership team, including, from left, Anthony Oliverio, NRP, AAS, paramedic communication specialist; James Laird, BA, MCCP, FP-C, NREMT-P, CFC, supervisor; Christopher M. Lindsey, BSN, RN, MBA, CCRN, director, Emergency Services; Steve Ashcraft, NREMT-P, MCCP, FP-C, CFC, manager; and James F. Scheidler, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, medical director.

WVU Medical Command (MedCom), which operates out of WVU Medicine WVU Hospitals (WVUH), has been approved as an NAEMT (National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians) authorized training site.

The designation enables WVU MedCom to deliver nationally recognized NAEMT courses, according to Christopher M. Lindsey, BSN, RN, MBA, CCRN, director of Emergency Services at WVUH, who said “it further strengthens our readiness for high‑acuity events and enhances MedCom’s visibility at both regional and national levels.”

WVU MedCom will offer Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) in February and is identifying more course offerings to present to EMS professionals around the state and region in the future.

“Certification for WVU Medical Command as an NAEMT training center facilitates the delivery of high-quality, in-house training focused on the unique aspects of prehospital medicine for employees of WVU Medical Command,” James F. Scheidler, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, medical director of MedCom and WVU’s NAEMT Training Center, said.

NAEMT’s core educational offerings include Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) for medical emergencies, Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) for trauma care, Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC), Geriatric Education for EMS (GEMS), and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC).

“Collectively, these programs enhance interprofessional collaboration, improve clinical consistency across care settings, and support organizational goals related to quality, safety, and preparedness,” Chris said.

The NAEMT designation was earned at an opportune time as the WVU School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Prehospital Medicine, launches its new EMS Physician Fellowship Program.

“The missions of the NAEMT program and the WVU School of Medicine’s ACGME-accredited EMS Physician Fellowship Program are unified in the shared edification of our prehospital emergency response system across all certification levels – from EMT to EMS physician,” Dr. Scheidler said.

Anthony Oliverio, NRP, AAS, paramedic communication specialist, led the way in securing this designation, Chris and Dr. Scheidler said.

“While many individuals contributed to this effort, Anthony spearheaded the initiative and was instrumental in its success,” Chris said.