Premier Trauma Education for Prehospital Providers
PHTLS curriculum provides comprehensive trauma education emphasizing pathophysiology understanding, systematic assessment, and evidence-based prehospital interventions that maximize trauma patient survival and functional outcomes.
Trauma Pathophysiology & Kinematics
Understand injury mechanisms, energy transfer principles, and predictable injury patterns based on trauma kinematics. Apply this knowledge to anticipate occult injuries, prioritize assessment findings, and guide appropriate interventions even before definitive diagnosis.
Systematic Trauma Assessment (XABCDE)
Master the PHTLS primary assessment approach addressing exsanguinating hemorrhage (X), airway with cervical spine consideration (A), breathing and ventilation (B), circulation and shock (C), disability and neurological status (D), and exposure with environmental control (E). Learn systematic secondary assessment techniques for comprehensive trauma evaluation.
Airway Management in Trauma
Perform trauma-specific airway management considering cervical spine precautions, facial trauma complications, inhalation injuries, and bleeding airway challenges. Execute appropriate airway interventions from basic maneuvers through advanced techniques based on patient needs and provider scope.
Hemorrhage Control & Shock Management
Apply direct pressure, tourniquets, hemostatic agents, and other hemorrhage control techniques for life-threatening bleeding. Recognize shock physiology, identify compensated versus decompensated presentations, and execute appropriate fluid resuscitation and pharmacological interventions within prehospital scope.
Thoracic & Abdominal Trauma
Recognize and manage tension pneumothorax, open pneumothorax, flail chest, hemothorax, and abdominal injuries. Perform needle decompression, understand when prehospital interventions improve outcomes versus when rapid transport takes priority over field procedures.
Head, Spine & Musculoskeletal Trauma Assess traumatic brain injury severity, manage increased intracranial pressure considerations, and apply appropriate spinal motion restriction based on current evidence rather than outdated immobilization protocols. Manage extremity trauma including fracture stabilization and neurovascular assessment.
Special Populations & Circumstances
Modify trauma assessment and management for pediatric patients, geriatric trauma victims, pregnant patients, burn injuries, and environmental emergencies. Understand how physiological differences in special populations affect trauma presentation and treatment priorities.
Transport Decisions & Trauma Systems Apply appropriate triage criteria determining trauma center transport needs, understand time-sensitive interventions requiring definitive surgical care, and make critical decisions balancing field interventions versus rapid transport ("stay and play" versus "scoop and run").
Advanced Education for EMS Professionals
PHTLS certification is essential continuing education for prehospital providers responding to trauma emergencies and seeking advanced competency in field trauma management.
Paramedics & Advanced EMTs Prehospital providers with advanced scope including invasive procedures, medication administration, and clinical decision-making authority. PHTLS provides evidence-based frameworks supporting appropriate field intervention decisions during trauma responses.
Basic EMTs Entry-level prehospital providers seeking advanced trauma education beyond initial certification training. PHTLS enhances assessment skills, critical thinking, and understanding of trauma pathophysiology applicable within basic EMT scope.
Flight & Critical Care Transport Air medical crews, critical care ground transport providers, and specialty transport teams managing trauma patients during interfacility transfers or scene responses requiring advanced trauma competency and clinical judgment.
Firefighter-Paramedics Fire service personnel providing emergency medical services, often serving as initial responders to trauma scenes requiring immediate assessment, stabilization, and appropriate triage decisions before additional resources arrive.
Tactical & Wilderness EMS Providers working in austere environments, tactical medicine settings, or wilderness rescue scenarios where prolonged field care, limited resources, and challenging extraction conditions demand advanced trauma management expertise.
Military Medics & Corpsmen Armed forces medical personnel providing combat casualty care or supporting civilian trauma response, seeking standardized civilian trauma education complementing military-specific training.
EMS Educators & Leadership Training officers, paramedic program instructors, and EMS administrators maintaining advanced trauma competency and current evidence-based knowledge for teaching, protocol development, and quality improvement initiatives.
Comprehensive Full-Day Training
Course Duration & Schedule
This intensive eight-hour course provides comprehensive trauma education including didactic instruction, hands-on skills stations, and realistic trauma scenario practice. Full-day format allows thorough coverage of all trauma topics with adequate time for skills practice and critical thinking development. Weekend scheduling typically available accommodating EMS shift schedules.
Prerequisites & Requirements
Current EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic certification required for enrollment. Course designed for practicing prehospital providers with field experience and baseline trauma assessment competency. Pre-course reading assignment from PHTLS provider manual required before class attendance—approximately 2-3 hours of preparation time.
Skills Assessment & Scenarios
Certification requires successful demonstration of systematic trauma assessment (XABCDE approach), hemorrhage control techniques, airway management with spinal precautions, and appropriate decision-making during complex multi-system trauma scenarios. Written examination covers pathophysiology, assessment principles, and evidence-based intervention strategies. Scenarios emphasize critical thinking and appropriate priority-setting rather than simple protocol memorization.
Certification & Recertification
Upon successful completion, EMS professionals receive NAEMT PHTLS provider certification valid for four years—longer than most EMS certifications. Digital and physical provider cards issued for employment documentation, agency credentialing, and continuing education records. Recertification or refresher courses available as expiration approaches.
Course Materials & Resources
PHTLS provider manual (9th edition), reference cards, assessment tools, and trauma decision algorithms included in course investment. Access to trauma simulation manikins, airway equipment, hemorrhage control training devices, and immobilization equipment during skills practice. Post-course access to materials and instructor consultation for field application questions.
Continuing Education Credit
PHTLS certification provides substantial continuing education hours toward EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic recertification requirements in Colorado and most states. Course approved for National Registry continuing education credit and meets trauma education requirements for many EMS agencies and trauma system participation.
Register for PHTLS Certification Training
Advance your prehospital trauma competency with the most respected trauma education program in emergency medical services. Our PHTLS certification course provides EMS professionals with evidence-based assessment frameworks and critical thinking approaches that improve trauma patient outcomes in the field.
Review available course dates and register today. For agency-based group training or organizational certification programs, contact our training coordinator.