Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, announced today that Emergent Air has selected Air Methods Ascend’s critical care in-person and online education programs to provide additional advanced training for their flight nurses, respiratory therapists, and paramedics.

Emergent Air started as a ground ambulance provider in El Paso nearly 20 years ago but expanded to now include a large fleet of specially configured fixed-wing aircraft suitable for providing medical transports across the country. With two bases—one in El Paso and another in Alpine, TX—and a team of nearly 70 highly experienced, certified pilots and licensed medical crew, Emergent Air transports more than a thousand patients by air every year. In addition to air ambulance services, Emergent Air continues to provide ground transportation to the El Paso community and surrounding areas.

“We’re committed to providing unparalleled patient care. When someone’s loved one is in our hands, we want them to rest assured that they are in the most capable hands. To deliver on that promise, it is our responsibility to ensure we are providing our clinicians the highest level of training available,” said Ronald King, Emergent Air president and flight paramedic. “With Ascend, not only are we able to provide our crew members the latest in advanced clinical training and high-quality, online education to meet their continuing education requirements, but we’re able to do so at a reasonable price so it’s a win-win.”

King added that previously, each crew member was responsible for obtaining their own continuing education courses. With Ascend, Emergent Air will take that weight off crew members’ shoulders while ensuring that they’re all receiving the same level of advanced training across the board.

Ascend’s offerings of innovative online education programs include Critical Care Review and EMS Review for emergency medical responders seeking to advance their training, help improve emergent patient outcomes, and meet continuing education needs. Courses also meet certification requirements for the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), and International Board of Specialty Certifications (IBSC).

Ascend’s in-person education programs provide access to world-class educators, state-of-the-art tools, and cutting-edge technologies to help pre-hospital and critical care clinicians build their knowledge, enabling them to operate at the top of their licensure and fulfill continuing education requirements. Education programs include advanced manikin-based simulation and virtual reality training that mirror real-world patient care scenarios, building life-saving skills and confidence.

“Air Methods is thrilled to partner with Emergent Air to provide their team with our in-person trainings and online programs,” said Dr. Stephanie Queen, Air Methods Senior Vice President of Clinical Services. “The premium access to Air Method’s Ascend best-in-class education will help their flight teams continue to operate at the top of their licensure while maintaining the required CEs for recertification and providing the best patient care.”