This handbook is designed for use by students preparing for employment in the occupation of emergency medical technician-ambulance (EMT-A) in Iowa. Listed in the introduction are general course prerequisites, the 60 competencies taught in the course, pertinent federal and state requirements, and Iowa certification testing/retesting procedures/requirements. The following are among the topics of the course's 33 lessons: EMT-A roles and responsibilities; anatomy, physiology, and patient assessment; basic evaluation and first aid procedures for handling injuries to various body parts, poisonings, and complications of various diseases; emergency childbirth procedures; burn treatment; hazardous materials; environmental emergencies; psychological aspects of emergency care; principles of extrication; procedures for lifting and moving patients; and ambulance operations. Included in each lesson are some or all of the following: introduction, objectives, overview of lesson contents, study suggestions, terminology list, and information sheets and diagrams. Appended are 44 skills checklists, sample patient care forms used in Iowa, in-hospital clinical guidelines, Iowa EMT-A roles and responsibilities, and Iowa laws/rules pertaining to the occupation of EMT-A. (MN)