Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

PURPOSE: This program prepares students to become Emergency Medical Technicians at the entry level. This is a one semester program that offers several scheduling options for students.

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Certified Emergency Medical Technician.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the general college curricular admission requirements, students must have a current CPR card from either the American Heart Association-BLS Provider or the American Red Cross-Professional Rescuer prior to the start of the first day of class. Students without a current CPR card must complete EMS 100 - CPR for Healthcare Providers or HLT 105 - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation prior to the start of EMS classes. EMS 100 will be offered prior to the first day of class for EMS 111.

Students desiring to further their emergency medical training and capabilities should consider the Emergency Medical Services -Paramedic Associate of Applied Science degree after completing this Career Studies Certificate. All potential EMS students are encouraged to meet with one of the EMS Program Advisors prior to the start of each semester.

FUNCTIONAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS: The functional skills listed below apply to students entering the EMS - Emergency Medical Technician CSC and EMS - Paramedic AAS degree. Students entering these programs must have the ability to, but not limited to:

• Verbally communicate in person, via telephone and telecommunications using the English language;
• Hear spoken information from co-workers, patients, physicians, and dispatchers and sounds common to the emergency scene;
• Lift, carry, and balance a minimum of 125 pounds equally distributed (250 pounds with assistance), a height of 33 inches, and a distance of 10 feet;
• Read and comprehend written materials under stressful conditions;
• Use a prescribed format to document patient information in writing or by entry into a computer program;
• Demonstrate manual dexterity and fine motor skills, with ability to perform all tasks related to quality patient care in a safe manner;
• Bend, stoop, crawl, and walk on even surfaces; and
• Meet minimum vision requirements to operate a motor vehicle within the state.

Please visit Virginia Dept. of Health - How to become an EMS provider in Virginia. for a complete list of BLS and ALS Functional Job Descriptions.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the regular college tuition and fees, the following expenses may be required.

To determine current tuition and fees, view our Tuition and Fees page or call the School of Health Professions office at (804) 523-5375. The instructor will inform students of the textbooks and other required learning materials needed in the syllabus for each course. This information can also be found on the college bookstore website. Additional scholarships/grants may be available, please contact program advisors for additional information.

CONTINUATION IN THE PROGRAM: Students must successfully achieve a course grade of at least “B” (80) in each EMS course. Students MUST pass both EMS 111 & EMS 120 in order to meet the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) testing eligibility. State EMT Certification is a pre-requisite for continuation into the Paramedic program.

CLINICAL/EMS CONTRACTS: Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate clinical/EMS agency, and these contracts differ in requirements for students. In general, contracts include the following:

1. Clinical/EMS agencies reserve the right to dismiss a student from their agency at any time. Students must wear the proper uniform, conforming to program and health care agency standards.
2. Students must follow published hospital and EMS policies.
3. Students must meet health, immunity, and immunization requirements specified by the affiliated clinical/EMS facility and/or agency. Failure to comply with these requirements will prevent the student from meeting specific course learning outcomes required for program progression and completion.
4. Students release the facility, its agents, and its employees from any liability for any injury or death to self or damage to personal property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of the facility. (Assessment of Risk document is signed and on file, once the student is accepted into the program.)
5. Students are financially responsible for any medical care required while in the clinical setting.
6. Students must have a current American Heart Association CPR BLS for Health Care Provider Certification or American Red Cross “BLS or Professional Rescuer.”
7. Demonstration of professional behavior is expected at all clinical/EMS learning experiences.  Clinical/EMS preceptors will direct a student to leave the learning environment if unacceptable behaviors are observed.
8. The health care agency may deny a student participation based on results of background and drug screen.
9. Students must submit required clinical documents before beginning clinical/EMS rotation. A student who does not meet published deadlines for submission forfeits his/her enrollment and will not meet program requirements for certification testing eligibility.