Atrium Health Navicent EMS Externship Program Graduates Inaugural Class

Since January, a group of 10 students has been engaged in real-world training to become emergency medical technicians (EMTs) as part of a new Atrium Health Navicent externship program. Friday, the students will graduate in a ceremony celebrating the end of their studies prior to taking a state licensing exam in June.

Funded partially through a grant from the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services, the goal of the EMS externship program is to create a career pipeline for individuals interested in entry-level positions as an EMT, train them and then match them with a job at Atrium Health Navicent once they’ve passed the state exam.

While attending training part-time, students have been getting on-the-job experience supporting Atrium Health Navicent’s non-emergency transport needs, such as driving patients discharged from the hospital to a rehabilitation hospital or to a skilled nursing facility. Students also shadow crews on emergency calls. Participants range from recent high school graduates to individuals seeking a career change.

“We’re so proud of all the hard work these students have put into this program. Through classroom study and the opportunity to interact with real patients, we are confident they are ready to move into entry-level positions with Atrium Health Navicent,” said Atrium Health Navicent EMS Director Tony Brown. ”This program has helped create a pipeline for individuals who want to pursue a career in EMS to receive training to fill critical roles, and for them to continue to receive more advanced training to help serve their community and meet their career goals.”

After the success of this first program year, Atrium Health Navicent plans to offer the program again in 2024.

For more information about Atrium Health Navicent careers, visit https://careers.atriumhealth.org/.

About Atrium Health Navicent

Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent is part of Advocate Health, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the fifth-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.