Program: AS-25450

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program is designed to prepare the student for a career in out-of-hospital emergency medicine. Various healthcare providers work in the fast-paced EMS environment. The Emergency Medical Responder is the first-tier EMS provider of care that supplies initial, hands-on emergency care until the next level of EMS provider arrives on the scene.

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is the second-tier provider of care in the EMS career ladder. An EMT supplies basic life-support measures that include patient assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), oxygen therapy, shock-prevention interventions, bandaging, splinting, spinal immobilization, and vehicle extrication.

A paramedic is the third-tier provider of care in the EMS career ladder. The paramedic arrives at the emergency scene in an Advanced Life Support ambulance and assumes patient care duties from the EMT. The paramedic functions as the out-of-hospital team leader by coordinating care provided by the Emergency Medical Responders and EMTs. A paramedic is trained in advanced life-support measures such as venipuncture, intravenous therapy, endotracheal intubation, medication administration, arrhythmia interpretation, cardioversion, and defibrillation.

The EMS Program is designed as a career option for the professional who is employed in an EMS or public safety career. Promotion in these fields frequently requires the individual to obtain an Associate in Science degree. The Associate in Science in Emergency Medical Services requires completion of the Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technology, and Paramedic certificates. EMS personnel work in fire departments, EMS services (public and private), hospital emergency departments, industrial health and safety organizations, or other public safety agencies. Typically, an EMS professional with an AS degree works in educational, administrative, or advanced clinical settings.

Admission Criteria

Each EMS Certificate Program has individual entrance requirements and prerequisites, as listed with the specific EMT and Paramedic Certificate information in this Catalog. Certain courses in this program require placement at the college level or satisfaction of Developmental Education requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics. 

Program Cost

The approximate cost to complete the degree program is $9,500. This includes course fees, lab fees, books, uniforms, and other estimated costs.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is able to: 
PLO 1: Demonstrate the competencies and didactic principles, roles, and responsibilities of the paramedic within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, and apply the skills and abilities in advanced pre-hospital care that are necessary to fulfill the role of the entry-level paramedic. 
PLO 2: Identify normal and abnormal findings while demonstrating the techniques of conducting a comprehensive patient interview and physical exam. 
PLO 3: Integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate field impressions, and implement treatment plans for trauma patients experiencing blunt, penetrating, soft-tissue, and musculoskeletal trauma; burns; hemorrhage; and shock. 
PLO 4: Integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate field impressions and implement treatment plans for medical patients with pulmonology, cardiology, neurology, psychiatric, and endocrine emergencies. 
PLO 5: Demonstrate effective verbal communication, assessment techniques, and written communication for patient-care reports using all the various formats identified in the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards. 
PLO 6:  Demonstrate the necessary criteria to fulfill the role of an entry-level paramedic, including sound professional judgment, ethical standards, critical-thinking skills, and proper assessment techniques.