Instructor Application
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Questions?
Contact Paul Nicolazzo 509.996.2502 paul@wildmedcenter.com |
Introduction
The Wilderness Medicine Training Center International (WMTC) is a privately-owned company well known for its excellence in course design and delivery. WMTC certifications are recognized by Outward Bound (OB), National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), American Camping Association (ACA), the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and all state and federal guide licensing agencies. We have some of the best instructors in the world. Be forewarned: the application and training process are rigorous and while the rewards are great, not everyone is suited to be a WMTC instructor. Please read our mission, vision, and educational strategies before applying.
Unless employed by an affiliate organizations, WMTC instructors are not employees; they are licensed subcontractors who own their own businesses. We believe ownership provides the necessary motivation and commitment to maintain course quality. Our instructors are with us for the long haul. WMTC supports its instructors and courses in the following manner:
WMTC is unusual within the wilderness medicine industry as WMTC instructors—unless employed by a WMTC affiliate organization licensed as a WMTC business—are independent contractors trained by WMTC to deliver medical, and in some cases, risk management courses according to its educational precepts. We believe that instructors should be paid a living wage commensurate with their experience, training, and skills. We also believe that as business owners, instructors have a greater incentive to maintain their equipment, knowledge base, and high instructional standards. As such, our instructor community is rather small compared to other organizations but highly trained, well-knit, and completely committed to high quality education.
WMTC has three organizational tiers for instructors (independent contractors)—Instructor in Training, WMTC Licensed Business, and Affiliate Instructor—designed to develop and retrain staff. WMTC annually accepts a maximum of six instructors to their annual Instructor Training Course traditionally held in late September each year at the WMTC classroom in Winthrop, WA.
Instructor applicants must successfully complete our 18-day Instructor Training Course (ITC); the course is intensive and will prepare you to enter our apprentice program. In addition to general instruction, candidates are preassigned specific lecture topics, skill sessions, and simulations to present during the ITC. The course closes with the ITC students teaching a local Wilderness First Aid course. ITC enrollment is limited to three students.
Successful candidates have demonstrated a mastery of:
In most cases, new lead instructors are required to maintain, at minimum, a current EMT-B license in their state of residence and be certified as a WEMT or WFR. We encourage currently certified WMTC WFR graduates—especially those who have taken multiple courses from us—to apply with the understanding that they may not become WFR or WEMT lead instructors until they successfully complete an EMT course and receive their license. Licensed nurses, physicians, and veterinarians with emergency room training and experience exceed our minimum requirements and are encouraged to apply.
All applicants must complete the WMTC Instructor Application Form. At minimum, candidates must be a WMTC WFA graduate to apply. We give preference to applicants who are graduates of a WMTC Standard WFR course. The WFR provides an opportunity for a pre-ITC evaluation and experientially exposes applicants to the full WMTC curriculum and our teaching methodology.
WMTC Apprenticeship
ITC graduates enter and participate in an apprenticeship until they are ready to instruct. The apprenticeship is a non-paid training position. During an apprenticeship the apprentice’s travel, expenses, and room & board are covered. When ready, the apprentice is certified by WMTC to instruct. The length of the apprenticeship varies slightly for each individual. In most cases apprentices are ready to instruct WFA courses after apprenticing one or two courses. Most apprentices assist three to six WFR courses before they are ready to instruct WAFA, WFR, Review & Recertification, and WEMT courses.
WMTC Instructors
Instructors are certified and licensed according to the type of course they can lead (e.g.: WFA, WAFA, WFR & Review, and WEMT); they are expected to instruct a minimum of 15 days per year to maintain their instructor status. New instructors should anticipate instructing more days during their first 1-3 years to refine and polish their skills.
WMTC Licensed Businesses are expected to purchase and maintain their own equipment and supplies in accordance with WMTC policies; this is a federal requirement for independent contractors. Equipment cost varies somewhat but expect to invest roughly $3000-$4000; in most cases your investment is fully recovered within 1-3 courses. Consumable costs average $0.50/student/student day. The process and cost of maintaining your medical license/certification varies from state to state; check with your state Depart of Health for details.
WMTC Licensed Businesses are also required to carry their own insurance. There are three types of insurance policies instructors may wish to obtain:
Unless employed by an affiliate organizations, WMTC instructors are not employees; they are licensed subcontractors who own their own businesses. We believe ownership provides the necessary motivation and commitment to maintain course quality. Our instructors are with us for the long haul. WMTC supports its instructors and courses in the following manner:
- Nationally recognized certification in wilderness medicine (WFA, WAFA, WFR, & WEMT) that meet or exceed the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC) scope of practice guidelines.
- Ongoing research & development
- Ongoing instructor training & development
- High quality course materials
- National marketing, calendar listings on sponsor & partner websites, Blog posts, and quarterly newsletters
- Webstore
- Assistance setting up your business
- Highest per day income in the industry
WMTC is unusual within the wilderness medicine industry as WMTC instructors—unless employed by a WMTC affiliate organization licensed as a WMTC business—are independent contractors trained by WMTC to deliver medical, and in some cases, risk management courses according to its educational precepts. We believe that instructors should be paid a living wage commensurate with their experience, training, and skills. We also believe that as business owners, instructors have a greater incentive to maintain their equipment, knowledge base, and high instructional standards. As such, our instructor community is rather small compared to other organizations but highly trained, well-knit, and completely committed to high quality education.
WMTC has three organizational tiers for instructors (independent contractors)—Instructor in Training, WMTC Licensed Business, and Affiliate Instructor—designed to develop and retrain staff. WMTC annually accepts a maximum of six instructors to their annual Instructor Training Course traditionally held in late September each year at the WMTC classroom in Winthrop, WA.
- Instructor in Training. Instructors in Training have successfully completed the 18-day WMTC Instructor Training Course and enter into and remain in a non-paid apprenticeship until ready to solo instruct. Expenses (travel, lodging, & meals) are paid during the apprenticeship.
- Affiliate Instructor. Affiliate instructors are employed and paid by their organization, typically a school, college, or university; they may also own a WMTC Licensed Business.
- WMTC Licensed Business. Upon completion of their training instructors may become licensed to teach WMTC courses. WMTC Licensed Businesses may contract, sponsor, and deliver WMTC courses independently of WMTC in accordance with the licensing agreement.
Instructor applicants must successfully complete our 18-day Instructor Training Course (ITC); the course is intensive and will prepare you to enter our apprentice program. In addition to general instruction, candidates are preassigned specific lecture topics, skill sessions, and simulations to present during the ITC. The course closes with the ITC students teaching a local Wilderness First Aid course. ITC enrollment is limited to three students.
Successful candidates have demonstrated a mastery of:
- Wilderness medicine
- Professional trip leading experience
- Didactic and experiential teaching
- Basic outdoor expedition skills
- Advanced outdoor skill in at least one of the following areas: climbing, mountaineering, whitewater paddling, sailing, skiing, canyoneering, and/or sea kayaking.
- Effective time management, course reporting, & logistics
In most cases, new lead instructors are required to maintain, at minimum, a current EMT-B license in their state of residence and be certified as a WEMT or WFR. We encourage currently certified WMTC WFR graduates—especially those who have taken multiple courses from us—to apply with the understanding that they may not become WFR or WEMT lead instructors until they successfully complete an EMT course and receive their license. Licensed nurses, physicians, and veterinarians with emergency room training and experience exceed our minimum requirements and are encouraged to apply.
All applicants must complete the WMTC Instructor Application Form. At minimum, candidates must be a WMTC WFA graduate to apply. We give preference to applicants who are graduates of a WMTC Standard WFR course. The WFR provides an opportunity for a pre-ITC evaluation and experientially exposes applicants to the full WMTC curriculum and our teaching methodology.
WMTC Apprenticeship
ITC graduates enter and participate in an apprenticeship until they are ready to instruct. The apprenticeship is a non-paid training position. During an apprenticeship the apprentice’s travel, expenses, and room & board are covered. When ready, the apprentice is certified by WMTC to instruct. The length of the apprenticeship varies slightly for each individual. In most cases apprentices are ready to instruct WFA courses after apprenticing one or two courses. Most apprentices assist three to six WFR courses before they are ready to instruct WAFA, WFR, Review & Recertification, and WEMT courses.
WMTC Instructors
Instructors are certified and licensed according to the type of course they can lead (e.g.: WFA, WAFA, WFR & Review, and WEMT); they are expected to instruct a minimum of 15 days per year to maintain their instructor status. New instructors should anticipate instructing more days during their first 1-3 years to refine and polish their skills.
WMTC Licensed Businesses are expected to purchase and maintain their own equipment and supplies in accordance with WMTC policies; this is a federal requirement for independent contractors. Equipment cost varies somewhat but expect to invest roughly $3000-$4000; in most cases your investment is fully recovered within 1-3 courses. Consumable costs average $0.50/student/student day. The process and cost of maintaining your medical license/certification varies from state to state; check with your state Depart of Health for details.
WMTC Licensed Businesses are also required to carry their own insurance. There are three types of insurance policies instructors may wish to obtain:
- a General Business Liability policy with a minimum coverage of $2,000,000 insures the instructor or business against injuries or death that might occur on a course(required); the policy should come with a Teaching or Consulting endorsement and WMTC should be listed as additional insured. A current Certificate of Insurance (COI) verifying their of coverage must be on file at the WMTC office
- a Professional Liability policy (optional) insures the instructor or business against lawsuits arising from the material presented during a course and is also know as an “Errors & Omissions” policy.
- an Inland Marine policy (optional) provides coverage against equipment loss or damage. Cost varies considerably between carriers and policies.
In most cases, if you are accepted to the ITC, you will receive additional paperwork and directions from the WMTC office on or before July 1st.