EMTP classes offer the human touch

There is more to being a good paramedic than strict medical knowledge and discipline. There is a human touch and respect that is just as important, according to Emergency Medical Training Professionals founder and instructor Gerria Berryman.

In 2008, Berryman started EMTP based on principle of kindness toward the patient that she fears is being lost in today’s emergency response medical field.

“It’s easy to get jaded when you see what we see and have been through what we’ve been through — day after day,” Berryman said. “This class is different, because it’s not just about the classroom and books, but about caring for those in need and instilling a sense of urgency to feel like the call was one of their friends or family members they are responding to.”

Berryman knows what it’s like in the field, starting off as a firefighter and eventually joining up with the Jessamine County EMS; a career that cost her a good percentage of her hearing — but a career she does not regret.

Berryman offers many different types of hands on classes including  phlebotomy, EMR, EMT, advance EMT and paramedic training which are all generally small classes with flexible schedules.
As a former Asbury University graduate she also has a deal which gives up to 30 credit hours to her students.

“We want to teach them how to interact with people, how to critically think,” instructor Andrew Wood said. “We can’t just put out paramedics that are cookie cutter. They have to know how to how to problem solve and how to work with other people.”

Wood said that EMTP classes take emergency responders outside of their comfort zones to learn how to work together and work compassionately with patients. 

For many of the EMTP classes, student come from out of state or another city, such as Tina Cox who works as an EMT in Lawrenceburg but travels to Wilmore on the weekends to take paramedic classes. Cox started off in the phlebotomy class moving to EMT and said Berryman’s classes are a unique experience with lessons she takes back into the field.

“Here you have a built-in support team, and (the instructors) want you to succeed,” Cox said.“Sometimes in the field, you feel a little lost and don’t know what to expect, and this class helps to deal with the unexpected. It opens up your perspective.”

There is also some local talent such as Justin Hall and Gatlin Nofsinger who are currently working with the Jessamine County EMS. There is also full-time student Todd Adams who plans on entering the nursing field after the paramedic class is complete.

“It’s a very positive learning environment,” Adams said. “I spent years and years ministering to the poor before I realized I could help them in the medical field.”
Adams, 43, was a pastor for 12 years before he felt called to have his ministry to be more hands on.

“It doesn’t matter how old they are, really, also long as they have a passion to truely help other people,” Wood said. “That’s who we are looking for and these classes are for them.”

To find out more about signing up for these classes visit, emtpky.com or call 859-327-EMTP (3687).