EMS1158 - Emergency Medical Technology

7 hours Lecture, 7 credit(s)

Lower-Division College Credit

Prerequisite(s): EMS 1059C

Corequisite(s): EMS 1158L

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:
This course prepares the student for initial employment as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Instruction includes current information and techniques, as well as the development of professional attitudes practiced by an EMT when providing out-of-hospital emergency medical care. This is an intensive course that requires careful planning of school, work, and home schedules to accomplish. Students are advised to contact the Program Director for additional information and scheduling details.

Polk State College Mission and Program Outcomes

Polk State College, a quality driven institution, transforms lives through the power of education by providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degree programs, career certificates and workforce employment programs, delivered by diverse, qualified faculty and staff. In line with this purpose, Polk State’s Associate in Science and baccalaureate degree programs develop competence in career areas. This course focuses on the development of competencies related to the following program outcomes:

1. Prepare for certification and employment as an emergency medical technician (EMT).

2. Recognize a medical emergency, assess the situation, manage emergency care and light extrication, and direct and coordinate efforts with persons from other agencies who may be involved in the care and transportation of the patient(s).

3. Make appropriate assessments, assign priorities for emergency treatments, and record and communicate data to the designated medical command authority (MCA) or responsible physician.

4. Initiate and continue emergency medical telecommunications control, recognize and initiate appropriate non-invasive treatments, assess and report a patient’s response to treatment and initiate appropriate changes as required.

5. Direct and coordinate the transport of patient(s) by selecting the best available method(s) after approval from the medical command authority (MCA).

6. Record in written detail all relevant information related to the patient’s emergency care and to the incident.

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

Identify and explain[CC1] the roles and responsibilities of individuals within the emergency medical services (EMS) system.
Explain how the roles and responsibilities of the emergency medical services professional differ from those of other healthcare providers.
Explore and assess the importance of personal wellness for emergency medical service (EMS) professionals and serve as a healthy role model for peers.
Integrate and apply primary injury prevention activities that reduce death, disability, and healthcare costs.
Explore and assess the legal issues that impact decisions made in the out-of-hospital environment.
Explore and assess the role of ethical decision making in the out-of-hospital environment.
Apply general pathophysiological concepts during the assessment and management of emergency patients.
Integrate strategies related to the physiological, psychological, and sociological changes experienced throughout human development when communicating with patients of all ages.
Explain the pathophysiological significance of physical exam findings.
Integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement a treatment plan for:
1. Individuals with respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine, and gastrointestinal problems.
2. Patients with behavioral issues, gynecological emergencies, and allergic or anaphylactic reactions.
3. Shock or hemorrhage patients; those with soft tissue trauma; burn victims; and individuals with abdominal, thoracic, and musculoskeletal injury.
4. Trauma patients with suspected head or spinal injuries.
5. Individuals with toxic exposure to chemicals, or environmentally induced (or exacerbated) medical or traumatic conditions.
6. Individuals exposed to infectious and communicable diseases, as well as those who are victims of sustained abuse or assault.
7. Neonatal patients.
Integrate the principles of kinematics to enhance patient assessment and predict the likelihood of injuries based on a patient’s mechanism of injury.
Apply information from previous study of the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system to the assessment and management of a patient experiencing normal or abnormal labor.
Apply the standards and guidelines designated to ensure safe and effective ground and air medical transport.
Integrate the principles of general incident management and multiple-casualty incident (MCI) management techniques in order to function effectively at major incidents.
Integrate the principles of rescue awareness and operations to safely rescue patients from water, hazardous atmospheres, trenches, highways, and hazardous terrains.
Evaluate hazardous materials emergencies, call for appropriate resources, and work in the cold zone.
Maintain an awareness of the human hazards of crime and violence, and apply the guidelines of safe operations at crime scenes and other emergencies.

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 Textbook” button on the PASSPORT schedule of classes.

The Gordon Rule

This is not a Gordon Rule course.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours and by appointment during other non-class hours. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from the professor. To further the educational process, the campus Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the Teaching/Learning and Computing Center (TLCC) JDA Student Success Center, and library, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote students’ 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. 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

Students may officially withdraw from course(s) during any given term, provided they follow the appropriate policy and procedure. Following the conclusion of the Drop/Add Period, a student may officially withdraw without academic penalty from any credit course, provided he or she has submitted the appropriate forms to the Student Services Office no later than the published 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. Individuals should refer to the student handbook for that program for more information. 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 three attempts. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding repeating a course that vary from this policy. Individuals should refer to the student handbook for that program for more information. 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 College 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/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. Students should also refer to the course syllabus for more specific information.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

All individuals who employ the information technology resources provided by Polk State College (this includes, but is not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State College Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must use these resources 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 & Diversity (Title IX Coordinator)
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299
Office: WAD 227, 863.292.3602 Ext. 5378, 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 Student Services Office on either campus and speak with a Disability Services Advisor or the Coordinator 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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