Any person who wants to work as an emergency medical technician (EMT) in the Peach State needs to meet specific EMT certification requirements in Georgia, including having their practical (or psychomotor) skills assessed by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Trauma.
The key to passing the psychomotor assessment is practice. Be sure to go through each step of a skill over and over until you can do it in your sleep, use learning techniques to remember the correct order in which procedures must be performed, and work with a partner or group until you are absolutely sure you can perform these services in fast-moving emergency situations.
The psychomotor assessment evaluates a candidate’s ability to perform the responsibilities of an EMT in simulated real-life scenarios. It’s typically conducted by the school where the student is enrolled for the mandatory training. These skills are no longer tested by the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT).
What Is Involved in an EMT Practical Exam?
The practical exam is a hands-on assessment of the candidate’s ability to perform the services in simulated real-life situations. An instructor or program director from the school usually performs the assessments.
In Georgia, candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in:
- Patient assessment and management (both trauma and medical)
- Cardiac arrest management with an AED, BVM ventilation, oxygen administration, and spinal immobilization of a supine patient
They must also show their ability in one of the following randomly selected categories:
- Spinal immobilization of a seated patient
- Bleeding control/shock management
- Long bone immobilization
- Joint immobilization
A candidate can retake a test if they fail one or two skills. If they fail three or more skill assessments, they must complete remedial training before being retested.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Work with a classmate or instructor to practice the skills you learned during the course. This will help the skill become second nature and build your confidence in your abilities.
Try using mnemonics or acronyms to remember all the steps that need to be taken, and in what order, when delivering care to patients in distress. Here are a few examples that might be helpful:
- AVPU stands for ‘Alert, Verbal, Pain, and Unresponsive.’ This scale helps EMTs determine a patient’s level of responsiveness and assess their responses.
- DCAP-BTLS stands for ‘Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling.’ This list is used to assess a patient’s injuries and prioritize the care they need.
- SAMPLE stands for ‘Signs and Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past Medical History, Last Oral Intake, and Events’ (leading up to the incident). This helps EMS personnel gather important information about the patient and the circumstances of their condition or injury.
Don’t rush when practicing your EMS skills. It’s essential that you remember to perform each step accurately to demonstrate your mastery. You also need to be able to clearly explain to the evaluator what you are doing and why.
Get feedback and tips to pass the Georgia EMT test from your classmates and instructors so you can improve your performance.
Use All the Resources You Can
Study the guidelines from NREMT that detail the skills you need to know. These skill sheets will explain the steps and procedures for each skill. If you’re unsure about any of the information, ask your instructor to demonstrate it again.
The Paramedic Coach’s Video Vault also contains nearly 500 videos and the best study resources for the Georgia EMT exam that have helped tens of thousands of EMS professionals. Our Video Vault covers a wide range of EMS topics, including skills mastery and clinical tips essential for field work.
Practical Practice
Dedicate time each week to review and practice psychomotor skills. Constant repetition is essential for building EMT skills, so make it part of your routine. It’s also helpful to partner with classmates and practice together. Collaborating not only helps reinforce your skills but also provides opportunities to learn from each other and receive real-time feedback!
