EMS1059C - Emergency Medical Responder

3 hours Lecture, 3 credit(s)

Lower-Division College Credit

Corequisite(s): CEV 2319 (Not required if the student holds a Healthcare Provider CPR-AED certification that does not expire before the end of the term)

AA Elective: No

Academic Dean’s Contact Information

LAKELAND DEAN’S OFFICE: LLC 2255 PHONE: (863) 297-1024
WINTER HAVEN DEAN’S OFFICE: WSC 101 PHONE: (863) 297-1020

Course Description:
The Emergency Medical Responder is an integral part of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System. The term “Emergency MedicalÂ Responder” is applied to the first individual who arrives at the scene regardless of the individual’s type of credential. This course provides students with the core information, skills, and attitudes to function in the capacity of a first responder. Students attend the EMS Skills Lab to demonstrate, practice, and verify competency in basic EMS skills. In addition to the scheduled class lab hours, students are required to attend TEAM Day, complete CPR training, and verify competency in the EMS Skills Lab.

Polk State College Mission and Program Outcomes

Polk State College, a quality-driven institution serving Polk County and beyond, transforms students’ lives through the power of teaching and lifelong learning by providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates, and workforce employment programs, delivered through various modalities and innovative technologies and by diverse, qualified faculty and staff. In line with this purpose, Polk State’s Associate in Science and baccalaureate degree programs develop competence in various career-related skills. This course focuses on the development of competencies related to the following program outcomes:

Recognizing a medical or traumatic emergency, assessing the scene, managing the emergency care and coordinating their efforts with those of persons from other agencies who may be involved in the care and transportation of the patient(s).
Make an appropriate assessment, assign priorities of emergency treatment, and communicate data to responding emergency medical services (EMT and/or Paramedic).
Initiating emergency medical telecommunications control, recognizing and initiating appropriate non-invasive treatments, assessing and reporting the patient=s response to that treatment and initiating appropriate changes as required.
Recording in writing details related to the patient=s emergency care and to the incident.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1.  Understand the role and responsibilities within an EMS system, and how these roles and responsibilities differ
     from other levels of providers.

2.  Apply the general concepts of pathophysiology for the assessment and management of emergency patients.

3.  Integrate the physiological, psychological, and sociological changes throughout human development with
     assessment and communication strategies for patients of all ages.

4.  Explain the pathophysiological significance of physical exam findings.

5.  Integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate an impression and implement the
     treatment plan at a First Responder level for the following patient(s):

Respiratory, cardiovascular disease, neurological, endocrine, GI problems
Behavioral, gynecological emergency, allergic or anaphylactic reaction
Shock or hemorrhage / Soft tissue trauma / Burn / Abdominal / thoracic / musculoskeletal injury
Trauma patient with a suspected head injury / suspected spinal injury
Toxic exposure / environmentally induced or exacerbated medical or traumatic condition
Infectious and communicable diseases / Sustained abuse or assault

6. Integrate the principles of kinematics to enhance the patient assessment and predict the likelihood of injuries
based on the mechanism of injury (MOI).

Textbook and Other Requirements

Textbook information is provided in the course syllabus, at the campus bookstore, on the campus bookstore website (www.polk.bncollege.com), or via the “Shop Textbooks” button on the PASSPORT schedule of classes.

College-Level Communication and Computation Skills

State Rule 6A-10.030 does not apply to this course.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours and by appointment during other non-class hours. Each student is encouraged to seek assistance from the professor. To further the educational process, the Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the campus Teaching/Learning and Computing Centers (TLCCs), JDA Student Success Center, and campus libraries, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote academic success. The TLCCs and JDA Student Success Center provide tutoring services, computing resources, and other instructional support. The library provides information resources, individual and group study space, research assistance, information literacy instruction, and computing resources. Each facility provides free wireless access to the Internet. The Polk State College Library, Student Success Center, and TLCC hours of operation and tutoring schedules are posted at each facility and on the College website.

Withdrawing From a Course

A student may officially withdraw from a course during any given term, provided he or she follows the appropriate policy and procedure. Following the conclusion of the Drop period, students may officially withdraw without receiving a grade from any course, provided they do so no later than the published withdrawal deadline. The published deadline reflects approximately (but no more than) 70% of the term, based upon the course’s scheduled duration. It is the student’s responsibility to submit these withdrawal forms; failure to do so may result in a grade of F in the course. Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. A student is not allowed to withdraw from a third course attempt. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding course withdrawal that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in the specific program handbooks. If a student stops attending class, the grade earned, usually an F, is assigned and posted. Prior to withdrawing from a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, withdrawal from the course will have on his or her financial aid status. A student cannot use course withdrawal to avoid academic dishonesty penalties. A student who has been penalized for academic dishonesty in a course is not eligible to withdraw from the course.

Repeating a Course

Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one college credit course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. Under certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a credit course beyond the third attempt. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding repeating courses that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in the specific handbooks. The student should be aware that repeating a course may result in a higher course cost. A course cannot be repeated unless the previously earned grade is a D, F, or W (the Polk State Catalog provides further details regarding this process). Prior to repeating a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating the course will have on his or her financial aid status.

Academic Dishonesty

Each student is responsible for his or her work. It is assumed that each student is honest and will abide by this standard; however, in the event that there is an indication or suspicion of cheating or plagiarism, the situation shall be dealt with in accordance with the published College policy. Copies of this policy are available in the Student Services Office. More specific information can be found in the Course Syllabus.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

The information technology resources provided by Polk State College (this includes, but is not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must be used for academic purposes only. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use can result in revocation or suspension of this privilege.

Equal Access/Opportunity

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy in its programs, activities, or employment.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Valparisa Baker
Director, Equity and Diversity (Title IX Coordinator)
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Office: WAD 227
Telephone: (863) 292-3602
e-mail: vbaker@polk.edu

Equal Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

The College complies with The Americans with Disabilities Act and provides equal educational opportunity for qualified individuals. A student with a disability who requires special accommodations or auxiliary aids under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Coordinator or Director of Disability Services. Note: Limited admission programs may have performance restrictions that apply. Restrictions (where applicable) are outlined in each program’s student handbook.

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