HOSA EMT Event Updates 2023-2024

• HOSA's Emergency Medical Technician event has updated skills for 2023-2024.
• Epinephrine Pen administration and Naloxone (Nasal Spray NARCAN) administration are new skills.
• Bandage scissors have been clarified as those provided by the competitor.
• Occupational attire is now required for Round 2 of skill events.
• These guidelines are for the International Leadership Conference (ILC), events are subject to state modifications.
• Contact state advisors or state websites for specific event implementation details.

Event Summary

• The Emergency Medical Technician event allows HOSA members to develop emergency medical care knowledge and skills.
• Two-person teams participate in two rounds.
• Round One consists of a written, multiple-choice test.
• Round Two involves skills assessment for the high-scoring teams from Round One.
• The event aims to prepare members for proactive roles in healthcare.

Sponsorship

• The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Foundation sponsors the event.

Competitor Provided Items

• Photo ID.
• Two #2 pencils with erasers for both rounds.
• Manual watch with a second hand for Round 2 vital signs assessment (no iWatches).
• Teams may bring one kit per person or team containing ONLY listed materials.
• Barrier supplies per competitor include:
  • 5 pairs of non-latex gloves
  • 2 masks
  • 2 gowns
  • 1 set of goggles or safety glasses.
• 6-10 "4x4" dressings.
• Adhesive tape.
• Penlight.
• 4 abdominal/trauma dressings.
• Oral airway kit (sizes 0-6).
• Non-rebreather mask.
• Pocket mask/face shield/mouth-to-mask barrier.
• 4 cravats for splinting.
• Cell phone to simulate calls for EMS assistance.
• HOSA provides a tourniquet, but competitors can provide their own.

Dress Code

• Proper business attire, official HOSA uniform, or occupational attire is required.
• Round 2 requires attire appropriate for the occupational setting, earning bonus points for proper dress.

General Rules

• Competitors must be active HOSA members in good standing.
• Eligible divisions are Secondary and Postsecondary/Collegiate.
• Competitors must know and follow the "General Rules and Regulations of the HOSA Competitive Events Program (GRR)."
• HOSA members can request accommodations under the GRRs and Appendix H.
• Accommodation requests for the International Leadership Conference (ILC) require a form submission by May 15 at midnight EST.
• Submit accommodation requests for regional/area or state conferences using provided forms by the state published deadline, before consideration for ILC.
• All competitors must be present at the event site at the designated time for each round.
• Competitors must present photo IDs before all ILC rounds.
• Competitors are to compete at the highest level of their skill set.

Official References

• All references are used to create written tests and skill rating sheets.
• Official References include:
  • Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, edited by Andrew N. Pollak.
  • American Heart Association BLS Provider Manual.
  • Emergency Care by Daniel Limmer.
  • How to Administer Naloxone from the AMA.

Round One Test Details

• 50 multiple-choice questions are administered within 60 minutes.
• No verbal time announcements during ILC testing in the Testing Center where competitors must monitor their own time.

Written Test Plan Topics

• Patient Assessment: 20%
• Basic Life Support: 20%
• Trauma: 16%
• Medical Emergencies: 14%
• Pediatrics and Childbirth: 16%
• Environmental Emergencies: 10%
• Special Situations: 4%
• The average test score from Round One qualifies teams for Round Two.

Sample Test Questions

• Systolic blood pressure: the pressure created when the heart contracts and forces blood into the artery
• Ventilation rate for a non-breathing adult patient with a pulse: 10 breaths per minute.
• Fracture of the distal radius: Colles' Fracture.

Round Two Skills

• Performance of selected skills.
• Approved skills:
  • Patient Assessment - Trauma
  • Patient Assessment - Medical
  • BVM Ventilation: Apneic Adult Patient
  • Joint Immobilization/Long Bone Immobilization
  • Bleeding Control/Shock Management
  • Cardiac Arrest Management/AED
  • Oxygen Administration by Non-Rebreather Mask
  • Administer Epinephrine Pen
  • Administer Naloxone (Nasal Spray NARCAN)

Round Two Demonstration

• Teams have a 12-minute maximum time for their demonstration.
• A written scenario presented at the round's beginning will be the same for all teams.
• The scenario includes a challenging component requiring critical thinking.
• Timing starts when the scenario is presented and stops at the end of the allotted time.
• The scenario is secret and is not to be discussed or revealed until after the event, to avoid penalties.

Oxygen Administration

• Oxygen tank assembly is excluded from the HOSA EMT event, however, a ready to use oxygen tank may be available.
• Follow proper EMS protocols to start and maintain oxygen therapy.
• If a tank isn't available, verbalize the steps for oxygen application for points on the rating sheet.

Judge's Role

• Judges will offer information as directed by the rating sheets.
• Competitors have the option to ask relevant questions about the patient's condition.

Example questions for judges

• What are the vital signs?
• Are breath sounds audible?
• Is a distal pulse present?
• Patient breathing status.
• Is there cyanosis?

Final Scoring

• Teams must score 70% or higher on the combined skills portion of the event (excluding the test) for award recognition at ILC.
• Averaged Round One test score plus Round Two skill score determine final rank, with highest averaged test score used to break ties.