NAEMT's Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) is recognized around the world as the leading continuing education program for prehospital emergency trauma care.  The mission of PHTLS is to promote excellence in trauma patient management by all providers involved in the delivery of prehospital care.  PHTLS is developed by NAEMT in cooperation with the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma.  PHTLS is accredited by CAPCE and recognized by NREMT.

Who should apply

  • EMTs
  • Paramedics
  • Nurses
  • Physician assistants
  • Physicians
  • Other prehospital practioners

How the 2-stage Hybrid track works:  8 hours online module + 8 hours in-person

 

Stage 1:  Register to enroll in the online module ($0)

Enrollment in Stage 1 will notify the program instructor of your intent to complete the 2-stage course.  Instructor will email student the online, external course link and textbook purchase link (paid directly to the course and textbook suppliers).  Upon successful completion of the online module, students receive a certificate of completion and 8 hours of CAPCE credit.  Students must bring their certificate of completion to the City College classroom module on December 17.

Stage 2:  Register for the in-person class ($150)

Available only to applicatants approved in Stage 1.  Upon completion of the 8-hour online course, you may enroll in stage 2, the in-person classroom component.  Classroom component is held at City College in Billings, Montana, on Thursday, December 17, 2026.

Important notes

Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a certificate of completion, a wallet card recognizing them as PHTLS providers - valid for 4 years - and 16 hours of CAPCE credit.

Learning 

Participants will engage in practical skill-building sessions covering:

  • Physiology of life and death
  • Scene assesment
  • Patient assessment
  • Hemorrhage control
  • Airway
  • Breathing, ventilation, and oxygenation
  • Circulation and shock
  • Special populations

Why This Program Matters

PHTLS courses improve the quality of trauma care and decrease mortality.  The program is based on a philosophy stressing the treatment of the multi-system trauma patient as a unique entity with specific needs.  PHTLS promotes critical thinking as the foundation for providing quality care.  It is based on the brief that, given a good fund of knowledge and key principles, EMS practitioners are capable of making reasoned decisions regarding patient care. 

This course emphasizes application of trauma education throug case studies, skills practice, and patient simulations.

 

Registration Questions

Workforce Development & Community Education

workforcedevelopment@msubillings.edu  |  (406) 247-3055