Mississippi EMS has a long tradition of following national standards in the education and practice of EMT-Paramedics. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the 1999 EMT-Paramedic National Standard Training Curriculum (NSTC) and Mississippi adopted the curriculum for Paramedics. The 1999 NSTC includes information not included in past curricula. To provide this increased information to Paramedics who were educated under the previous curricula, the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services developed a Paramedic Transitional course. This course consisted of six modules divided into topic-specific areas. The course was offered by advanced Life Support training sites in Mississippi beginning in 2001. This 72-hour course was required for all paramedics recertifying from 2002 thru 2004. Virtually all Mississippi paramedics have now completed this program and it is no longer practical for the training sites to offer this course series. Mississippi requires that all Paramedics trained under earlier NSTC complete this course prior to May 15, 2004. Effective May 15, 2004, Paramedics trained prior to the 1999 curriculum changes must successfully complete this self-study prior to receiving Mississippi Certification.

This course contains the objectives of the original transitional series, but is presented in a self-study format with a clinical component. The clinical component will be offered by the ALS training sites on an as-needed basis.  ALS Training Programs and Directors information may be found in the EMT-P Schools section:  ALS Training Programs and Directors

Included in the Self-Study course are 6 modules, skill sheets, and resources.  The modules include:

Paramedics applying for Mississippi Certification that were trained prior to the 1999 curriculum changes must successfully complete the clinical component and score a minimum of 75% on a comprehensive exam given by the Bureau of EMS.

The material offered here includes the objectives and course outlines from the original Transitional Series and various instructor notes, lecture material, slides, and links to other resources. The depth and breadth of the information that is contained in the new NSTC has increased dramatically as compared to previous curricula. The basis of the NSTC is pathophysiology. Most of the modules address their subject matter at this level. With this consideration, a strong review of pathophysiology is imperative. The study materials are grouped by topics and the Resource Page has links to additional materials. Current Paramedic, Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, and ACLS textbooks should be available for reference.

Several of the resource sites offer pre-tests that may be beneficial. Medical Directors, Instructors, and Training Officers may also be good resources.

Contact the Bureau of EMS to schedule written exams:

Bureau of EMS
570 East Woodrow Wilson
PO Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215
(601) 576-7380, Fax (601) 576-8098
Or email:
scott.stinson@ohr.doh.ms.gov