Wilderness Medicine Training Center International
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Instructor Application
November 5-22, 2021
Salt Lake City, Utah

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:
  • 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:
  1. 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
  2. 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. 
  3. an Inland Marine policy (optional) provides coverage against equipment loss or damage. Cost varies considerably between carriers and policies.

    Application Form

    WMTC digital lectures are built in Mac Keynote and require access to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer.
    http://www.wildmedcenter.com/mission-vision-history--educational-strategies.html
     All Instructor applicants must be a WMTC graduate.
    Max file size: 20MB
    Upload a copy or photo of your current certification cards or licenses showing your name, expiration date, and provider. In addition, EMTs please upload a copy of your National Registry card or state license. Please use .jpg or .png file formats.
    Please upload a headshot and a photo of you engaging in your favorite outdoor activity.
    Max file size: 20MB
    Max file size: 20MB

    Please answer all the questions below to the best of your ability. Consider using a text file to prepare your answers for each field and then copy and paste.

    Upon receipt of your application, our office will contact you via e-mail to schedule an in-person or online—typically via Skype, Facetime, or Zoom—interview should you meet our instructor requirements. The purpose of the interview is to review your qualifications, answer any questions or concerns you might have, and to correct any misconceptions. We want make sure that you are a good fit for WMTC before proceeding with the application process. Depending on your medical qualifications, we may ask you to take our online instructor exams.

    All applications, tests, and interviews must be completed by June 1st so please apply early. Final selection will be made during June and successful first-round candidates will be notified by e-mail; any remaining candidates will be placed on a waiting list. Confirmation and payment for first-round candidates is due by July 15th. Occasionally a first-round candidate is unable to attend the training. In that event, a second round of acceptance e-mails will go out to any candidates on the waiting list late July; confirmation and payment are due upon acceptance of second round candidates no later than August 1st. Assignments and access to the ITC website will be sent no later than the first week in August via e-mail to all confirmed candidates. All confirmed candidates must sign a contract that includes non-compete and confidentiality clauses prior to receiving course materials; an apprentice contract will be sent to you with your acceptance and is due with your payment. There is no refund unless the ITC cancels.

    Tuition is $1,000 for the 18-day course. Upon acceptance to the ITC, our office will send you an payment link via e-mail. Tuition is for instruction only and does not include room & board. Information on local camping and lodging options will be sent to you upon receipt of payment or upon request. Candidates often choose to rent a house.

    Please hand-print your answer to the following question on a piece of blank, unlined paper. Then scan (or take photo) and upload. we want to see what your printing will look like during a whiteboard lecture or debrief.

    Why do you want to instruct for the Wilderness Medicine Training Center?
    Max file size: 20MB
    Please upload as .jpg or .png file.

    Please list your technical outdoor skills and level of mastery .

    For example:
    • Trad Climbing:  5.10 lead
    • Whitewater kayaking: Class IV-V
    • Expedition canoeing
    • Backpacking

    Please list personal trips or expeditions that you have taken that required you to use the technical outdoor skills listed above. Include any first ascents or descents. Please note the length of each trip.

    For example:
    • Whitesides, NC. 10 pitches, 5.9, full day
    • Grand Canyon, AZ. Class IV, 24 days
    • Mississippi River, Lake Itasca, MN to New Orleans, LA; flat water, 64 days
    • Appalachian Trail, GA to ME, 101 days

    Please list your professional trip leading or guiding experience. Include the name of the organization and length of the trips.

    For example:
    • North Carolina Outward Bound School, Instructor for 21-day adult  courses (9) from 2004-2008
    • Chadwick School, Instructor for 10-day spring break canyoneering trips (4) from 2004-2008

    Please list all academic & professional degrees you hold.

    For example:
    • Bachelor of Science, Geology

    What languages do you speak well enough to teach medical courses in? Include English.

    Note that the ITC is taught in English.

    Give three references for the above history, their addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Briefly explain your relationship to each person. One reference must be from a WMTC instructor.

    The ability to give and receive both reinforcing and developmental feedback is critical to becoming a effective instructor. Please give three examples of development feedback you have received in the past, how you responded, and the ultimate result.

    What did you REALLY like about your WMTC course? What would you change, how, and why?

    Please describe your thoughts and feelings about being a licensed subcontractor rather than an employee?



    How many courses—include course type & format—per year can you work, when are you available, and what do you do for work the remainder of the year?

    Please send two 5-10 minute videos to paul@wildmedcenter.com and twhite@westminstercollege.edu on the following topics using http://www.wetransfer.com. Wetransfer.com is a large file transfer software company; use of the service is free.
    • Video 1: Present a classroom-based lecture on a topic you are familiar with using a whiteboard.
    • Video 2: Present an outdoor or medical skill you are familiar with. For example: knots, belay school, a paddling stroke or maneuver,  a splint, lighting a fire or stove, putting on a pressure bandage or TK, etc.

Submit
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.
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