Prehospital Trauma Life Support

NAEMT's Prehospital Trauma Life Support is recognized around the world as the leading continuing education program for prehospital emergency trauma care. PHTLS course improves the quality of trauma care and decreases mortality. The program is based on the philosophy stressing the treatment of multi-system trauma patients as a unique entity with specific needs. PHTLS promotes critical thinking as the foundation for providing quality care. It is based on the belief that, given a good fund of knowledge and key principles, EMS practitioners are capable of making reasoned decisions regarding patient care. PHTLS is the global gold standard in prehospital trauma education and is taught in 64 countries.

Length/Format

PHTLS is 16 hours (usually spanning two consecutive days).  The course can be in-person or in a hybrid format in which lectures are conducted virtually and students meet in person for skill stations and scenarios.

Prerequisites

None

Target Audience

PHTLS is appropriate for EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physician assistants, physicians, and other prehospital providers. PHTLS is accredited by CAPCE and recognized by NREMT.

Pre-course work and course requirements

Students are required to:

  • Have a current NAEMT PHTLS student manual with them in class
  • Complete a pre-test before the scheduled course.