New York City Fire Department | Evaluated Learning Experience
Behavioral Health Emergency Response Division Operations Course (Bheard) (PRH 400)
152 hours (4 weeks), includes 76 Lecture/Discussion and 76 hours Supervised Instruction.
May 2021 - Present.
Upon successful completion of this learning experience, students will be able to: define the roles and responsibilities of the B-HEARD mental health response unit; apply strategies and techniques for treating individuals with mental health disorder; explain the differences in assessment for mental health disorders; determine when a mental health disorder becomes an emergency; apply knowledge and skills within a field internship setting; learn about social workers and their role in mental health disorders; apply emergency medical care and how it pertains to mental health disorders; identify critical thinking and decision-making skills for mental health assessment and treatment; develop active listening techniques; discuss the importance of effective communication; and practice mock scenarios involving mental health disorders.
Major topics include EMS Overview and Operations, BHEARD Operations, Introduction to Health and Human Services System and Social Work, Introduction to Emergency Medical Dispatch, CPR Heartsaver certification, Self-defense, Emergency Management of Patients with Mental Health Disorders, Community resources, Team building, Radio transmissions, Mandated reporting and support, Substance Abuse, motivational interviewing, Racial equity, Bleeding control and Tourniquets, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Involuntary Hospital transports, Infection control and pathogens, Assessing child-specific issues, intimate partner violence, Emergency Service Unit (ESU) and 9.41 process, People with Disabilities, Narcan, trauma symptoms and approaches, Safety techniques, and De-escalation techniques. Instructional approaches include lecture, hands-on activities, tabletop exercises, interactive scenarios, case studies, class discussions, hospital/psychiatric visits.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 9 semester hours in Emergency Medical Services, Allied Health, Sociology, Psychology, or Disability Services (6/23).
