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Medical Technician Courses

Diving Medical Technician Course

Objective: To train NOAA divers to understand, diagnose and treat diving injuries and maladies during a medical emergency.

Students in this one-week intensive course learn how to become effective first line responders during a diving related incident. Students receive theoretical and practical instruction that includes the use of a hyperbaric chamber and medical mannequins.

Topics covered

  • Diving injuries and maladies
  • Hyperbaric chamber operations and treatment tables
  • Neurological exam
  • Foley catheters, nasogastric tubes and IV tubes
  • Advanced airway management and chest decompression

Duration

One week

Certification

At the end of this course, students are qualified to take the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) exam and, after successful completion of the exam, to receive DMT certification.

Prerequisites

  • EMT certification, or Medical Person in Charge (MPIC)
    • NOAA applicants may submit MPIC certification instead of an EMT certificate to receive NOAA DMT training. However, please note that you will need an EMT certificate in order to receive the NBDHMT recognition.
  • BLS certification (must be from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or an equivalent course).
    • Certification training courses can be either entirely in person, or a blended online/in person course. Online-only courses will not be accepted.
  • Students must be medically authorized to dive. The DMT is not required to be a NOAA diver, but must submit to the same medical standards for exposure to a pressurized environment.

Application Package

All application materials must be received by the NOAA Diving Center at least 60 days prior to the course start date in order to be accepted. Please see the NDP Training Google Calendar for specific deadlines. All application materials (except medical forms) should be submitted to the NDP Support Team. Incomplete application packages or forms will not be accepted.

  1. NF 57-03-38 Training Request and Authorization Form
  2. A copy of your EMT certificate, valid through the end of training
    1. NOAA applicants may submit MPIC certification instead of an EMT certificate to receive NOAA DMT training. However, please note that you will need an EMT certificate in order to receive the NBDHMT recognition.
  3. Copies of your BLS certificates, valid through the end of training
  4. NF 57-03-09 Liability Release and Assumption of Risk Form (if you are not a NOAA employee)
  5. NF 57-03-50, 51, 52 Report of Physical Examination (Initial exam)
  • Please send medical forms directly to the NOAA Diving Medical Officer using a secured method of transfer as these forms contain sensitive Personally Identifiable Information. All candidates must have their diving physical examinations cleared by the NOAA DMO before you can be accepted into a course. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you begin the process to complete the diving medical physical exam as soon as possible to prevent delays in processing your application.
  • NOAA employees only: If you are an existing NOAA Diver, check your NOAA Dive Log profile to see if you need to submit this form, or if you need to submit the NF 57-03-54 Annual Update instead. Your medical DMO clearance must be valid through the end of your course. If your medical is valid through the end of training, you may omit these medical forms from your application package.

Recertification

In order to maintain certification, the DMT must maintain EMT certification in order to be eligible to recertify as a DMT. Recertification requirements are set by the NBDHMT and require a combination of continuing medical education hours and clinical contact hours. These hours may overlap with the requirements to maintain EMT certification.

Joint Hyperbaric Medical Technician Course

Objective: Train select U.S. Army, other U.S. Uniformed Service, foreign military, and U.S. Government field medical technician personnel as Hyperbaric Medical Technicians (HMT). This course serves as the interagency federal program for HMT training.

This course is presented by the Army Diving Medicine Program in partnership with the NOAA Diving Program, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Public Health Service. This course provides instruction in diving physics, diving and hyperbaric medicine, supporting the performance of diving duty medical examinations, hazardous marine life, aerospace decompression illness, identification of diving diseases/injuries and their appropriate treatment in an operational and prolonged field care environment. Initial training in the use of the Emergency Evacuation Hyperbaric Stretcher is provided. This course includes limited diving familiarization training in open-circuit, closed-circuit, and surface-supplied techniques.

Duration

11 training days

Qualification

At the end of this course, students are qualified as HMTs in accordance with AR 611-75. The Joint HMT Course is accredited by the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology as a “Diver Medic” training course. Students will take the “Diver Medic” certification exam. Graduates of the course are not rated Divers nor are issued a Diver Badge.

Course Dates and Locations

The JHMTC is held concurrently with the Joint Hyperbaric Medical Officer Course. These courses are typically held twice a year in April and August immediately prior to the May and September NOAA Diver Courses at the NDC in Seattle. Dates and locations may change at any time. For specific upcoming course dates, locations, and application deadlines see the NDP Training Google Calendar or contact NDP Support.

Course Cost and Fees

There is no course fee to federal Civil Servants or Servicemembers. The student and/or their agency are also responsible for covering all costs related to lodging, travel, and per diem. Courses are not open to the public.

Equipment Requirements

No diving equipment is required to attend the JHMTC. Further information will be in the Information Letter provided to eligible applicants.

Prerequisites

Diver qualification is not required prior to attendance. Students must meet the following prerequisites prior to attending the Joint HMO Course:

  • Be an enlisted servicemember Combat Medic Specialist, Special Forces Medical Sergeant, Hospital Corpsman, Aerospace Medical Service Specialist, Pararescue Specialist, Health Services Technician, Aviation Survival Technician, or civil servant equivalent with an operational or training requirement for HMT qualification.
  • Must successfully complete the following for enrollment:
    • Meet physical fitness and body composition standards appropriate to their duty status and service/agency.
    • Meet medical fitness standards for Diving Duty in accordance with their service/agency standards within 24 months prior to the start date of the scheduled course. All waivers must be adjudicated not later than 30 days prior to the course start date in accordance with applicable service/agency procedures.
    • Maintain medical qualification and deployment readiness standards appropriate to their duty status and service/agency. Students must hold current/valid certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) as an Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, or Paramedic.

Exception to policy of the above requirements will be granted only by the Director, ADMP no later than 30 days prior to the start date.

Requalification

In order to maintain qualification, the HMT must follow procedures appropriate to their service/agency. NOAA HMOs must maintain currency in accordance with procedures set by the Director of NOAA Diving Medicine.

Application Package

The NOAA Diving Center coordinates attendance within this Army-managed Joint Course only for NOAA personnel. Course slots are controlled with individual service/agency quotas. Contact your Service’s Diving Medicine proponent for application procedures. General information may be obtained from the Army Diving Medicine Program at usarmy.jbsa.medcom.mbx.medcom-diving-medicine@mail.mil

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