CCH Emergency Medical Services Employees Earn Degrees, Certifications

GILLETTE, WY – Campbell County Health announces that 12 employees in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) earned advanced pre-hospital degrees and certifications.

Employees who earned their Associate’s Degree of Science in Paramedic Technology from Casper College includes:

• Alexus McKee, Paramedic, who has worked for CCH since 2018
• Brad McKee, Paramedic, who has worked for CCH since 2016

An Associate's Degree of Science in Paramedic Technology shows commitment to professionalism and advancing the EMS profession. This degree helps professionals hold a broader understanding of medicine as well as communication, mathematics, and sciences. Applicants must hold a current National Registry of EMTs card at the EMT or AEMT level. Applicants must also hold a current state license at the EMT, AEMT or IEMT level, and have a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support card.

Employees who earned their Paramedic certifications include:

• Collette Houch, who has worked for CCH since 2013
• Emily Selken, who has worked for CCH since 2014
• Heather Springer, who has worked for CCH since 2019
• Landon Suchor, who has worked for CCH since 2014
• Austin Winters, who has worked for CCH since 2020

Paramedic certification allows EMS professionals to provide the highest level of pre-hospital care when needed. Paramedics are able to intubate, manage cardiac arrests (heart attacks) administer lifesaving medications, and perform needle chest decompressions—thus making the transition of care easier for the patient when they arrive at the Emergency Department.

Paramedic certification requires completion of over 1,200 hours of didactic (classroom) instruction, and clinical experience hours in areas such as the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Labor and Delivery, Respiratory Therapy, Surgery, and EMS. Upon course completion, Paramedic students must successfully complete a written and practical test from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians in order to be licensed by the Wyoming Department of Health Office of Emergency Medicine.

The employee who earned their Intermediate (I-EMT) certification is:

• Ben Wetzel, who has worked for CCH since 2020 (not pictured)
• Shane Copps, who has worked for CCH since 2021 (not pictured)

Intermediate EMTs are able to intubate, handle cardiac arrests (heart attacks) and do needle chest decompressions—thus making the transition of care easier for the patient when they arrive at the Emergency Department for further care. Intermediate EMT certification requires 96 class hours, time in Surgery for three to five intubations, 36 hours of clinical time in the Emergency Department, and 36 hours of EMS ride time. Upon completion of this, EMT students must successfully complete a written and practical test from the Wyoming Department of Health Office of Emergency Medicine.

Employees who earned their Advanced (A-EMT) certifications include:

• Brittney Fousek, who has worked for CCH since 2020 (not pictured)
• Callie Robinson, who has worked for CCH since 2020 (not pictured)
• Krista Walton, who has worked for CCH since 2015

Advance EMTs are able to start IV's, give medications, and provide advanced airway skills—thus making the transition of care easier for the patient when they arrive at the Emergency Department for further care. Advance EMT certification requires 148 class hours, 24 hours of clinical time in the Emergency Department, and 24 hours of EMS ride time. Upon completion of this, EMT students must successfully complete a written and practical test from the Wyoming Department of Health Office of Emergency Medicine.

Learn more about Campbell County Health Emergency Medical Services at www.cchwyo.org/ems.

Campbell County Health is hiring full-time EMT’s and Paramedics for shifts available in Newcastle, Gillette, and Wright. Apply at www.cchwyo.org/careers. For more information, contact HR at hr@cchwyo.org, or call 307-688-1500.