2018-2019 Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog and Student Handbook [Archived Catalog]

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Basic, Advanced and Paramedic Technical Certificates


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Program and Career Description

The Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) is an entry-level Emergency Medical Technician. The EMT renders life support to patients at the scene of injuries or illnesses and prepares these patients for transport to the hospital.
 
The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) renders basic and advanced life support to patients at the scene of their injury or illness and continues this treatment while transporting these patients to the hospital.
 
Paramedics (EMSP) are health care professionals trained in the advanced skills needed for rendering care to the critically ill or injured patient in the pre-hospital, industry or emergency room setting. Paramedics perform all of the procedures described above for EMTs and AEMTs plus give oral or intravenous medications, read EKGs (electrocardiograms), do endotracheal intubations, and use additional complex equipment.

How long is the program?

  • Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) Technical Certificate (one-semester, Fall, Spring or Summer)
  • Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Technical Certificate (one-semester, Fall or Spring)
  • Paramedic (EMSP) Technical Certificate (12-months/three semesters, Fall start annually)
The certificates must be completed sequentially, each is a pre-requisite to the next level.

What does the program provide?

  • Challenging academic courses facilitated by EMS professionals,
  • Extensive clinical rotations in numerous acute care facilities, ambulance services, and fire stations across middle Tennessee,
  • Opportunities to attain knowledge and skills necessary for credentialing and career success,
  • Support and encouragement from both faculty and fellow cohort members.

How is the job market?

No accurate national data exists which separates salaries for various levels of EMS credentials. Reported base salaries do not include overtime and extra shifts commonly worked. The best information regarding salaries may be obtained by contacting EMS providers in the desired Emergency Medical Services area and inquiring about entry level salaries. Additional information about education requirements and preferred work styles may be obtained from www.bls.gov.

Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the EMT-Basic technical certificate, candidates are eligible to sit for the National Registry's written and practical examinations. Upon successful completion of examinations and other licensure requirements, the student will be eligible for the State of Tennessee EMT license and may advance into the AEMT certificate.
 
Upon successful completion of the AEMT technical certificate, and successful completion of examinations and other licensure requirements, the student will be eligible for the State of Tennessee AEMT license and may advance into the Paramedic technical certificate.
 
The Paramedic Technical Certificate is in compliance with the Common Course Curriculum for Emergency Medical Services: Paramedic (EMSP) as delivered by Tennessee Board of Regents community colleges. Upon successful completion of the Paramedic curriculum, candidates are eligible to sit for the examination for National Registry Certification and Tennessee Paramedic licensure. Paramedic completers also have the option to complete additional course work and earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in General Technology.
 
Those who wish to advance in Emergency Medical Services careers should have a long term plan to complete all three phases in sequence: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B), Advanced Medical Technician (AEMT) and Paramedic.

Criminal Background Checks

Applicable to EMT-B, AEMT and Paramedic Technical Certificates: Applicants who have been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation may be ineligible for licensure by the State of Tennessee. For more information, contact the State of Tennessee Department of Health Division of EMS at: http://health.state.tn.us/ems.
 
Criminal background checks and routine drug screens are required by most affiliate clinical training sites as a condition of participation in clinical education. Based on the results of the criminal background check and drug screen, an affiliated clinical site may elect not to allow an individual student to participate in clinical at the facility. This could result in inability to successfully complete the requirements of a specific course and program. More information is available from program officials.
 
Some students may be required to complete coursework prior to enrolling in EMS classes depending upon learning support competency placement in reading, writing, and math.

Class Information for EMT-B and AEMT certificates:

  • Classes are offered on an intense 15 week schedule (10 weeks in summer semester)
  • Students are also required to complete 96 hours of clinical rotations during their enrollment
  • Students are admitted on a first qualified, first admitted basis
  • Students must contact program faculty directly to register for classes

Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B)


EMT-B classes are completed in one semester. Class size is limited and is filled on a first to qualify basis. The following requirements must be met in order to enroll in EMT-B classes.

  1. Complete application for admission to the College by submitting the following to the Admissions office.
    1. completed Application for Admission
    2. official college transcripts
    3. high school transcripts or High School Equivalency Diploma-HSE (GED® or HiSET®).
    4. proof of immunization with two doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) and Varicella Zoster (Chicken Pox) vaccines administered on or after the first birthday AND evidence of immunity via Titer.
  2. Students must place at Competency 1 or higher or have completed requirements for Competency 0 with regard to competencies in reading, writing, and math as determined by ACT sub-scores, the institutional challenge exam/placement process, or acceptable equivalent. 
  1. Must be at least 18 years of age.

To successfully complete the courses/certificates, students must receive clearance from affiliates to participate in clinical education, develop skills, complete objectives and master required competencies.

  1. Criminal background checks and drug screens are required by most clinical affiliates.
  2. A clinical affiliate may choose to deny a student access to participate in clinical rotations at their facility based on the results of a student's background check or drug screen results.
  3. If a student is denied access to any clinical affiliate site, the student will not be allowed to complete the clinical requirements of the program.
  4. For more information about the background check and drug screening process, you may contact program faculty.

EMT-B students confirmed for the class are required to submit documentation of a completed Physical Examination form with all required health work. For a checklist of requirements and copies of forms to be submitted, visit https://www.columbiastate.edu/academics/health-sciences/emt-paramedic/emt-program. Evidence of personal health insurance is also required. Documentation of all requirements must be submitted before students will be allowed to schedule clinical rotations.

EMT-B Required Courses - Total Credit Hours: 16

Requirements for EMT-B Technical Certificate include:


  • Total certificate hours must be at least 16.
  • earning 25% of total program credits in residence at Columbia State.
  • earn GPA of at least 2.0 in courses required for the certificate.

If you have completed TN eCampus courses, run a degree audit from the student tab in myChargerNet to determine how these courses apply to this program.

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)


Once you have earned your Tennessee EMT license or have recently (within 120 days) graduated from an accredited EMT program and passed the National Registry, you can further your education by enrolling in the Advanced EMT (AEMT) program. AEMT classes are completed in one semester. Class size is limited and is filled on a first to qualify basis. The following requirements must be met in order to enroll in AEMT classes.

  1. Applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to the College and apply for admission as stated in the College catalog.

  2. Students must place at Competency 1 or higher or have completed requirements for Competency 0 with regard to competencies in reading, writing, and math as determined by ACT sub-scores, the institutional challenge exam/placement process, or acceptable equivalent.

  3. Must be at least 18 years of age.

  4. Must be currently licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician in the State of Tennessee or have successfully completed an EMT education program within 120 days of beginning the AEMT program and have successfully completed a Tennessee EMS Board approved EMT competency written and practical examination.

  5. EMTs who have shown competency in basic knowledge and skills through completion of Board approved written and practical examination and wish to progress to AEMT training without obtaining an EMT license shall submit evidence of good moral character (two letters of reference). Such evidence shall attest to the EMTs good moral character and be two recent (within the preceding 12 months) original letters from medical professionals attesting to the applicant's personal character. Preferably, one letter should be from current employer and the second letter should be a character reference. In the situation of unemployment, two character letters may be submitted. Family references will not be accepted.

  6. Meet other Admission requirements as stipulated in the Rules of the Tennessee Department of Health, Bureau of Health Licensure and Regulation, Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Once confirmed for AEMT courses, students are required to submit documentation of the following entry requirements. If the documentation is not completed prior to the first day of classes, students will not be allowed in the clinical setting.

  1. Completed Physical Examination form (the form will be provided by the program director).

  2. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Requirements: All admitted students must submit evidence of current BLS (Basic Life Support) Provider certification compliant with American Heart Association (AHA) standards. Inclusion of two-person CPR and AED (Automatic Electronic Defibulator) use is required. In order to meet clinical affiliate expectations, AHA HeartCode® (blended learning) nor HeartSaver® are accepted. BLS classes are available through numerous providers and are periodically offered by Columbia State through the Economic & Workforce Development (EWD) office. Certification must be maintained continuously for the duration of enrollment.

  3. Evidence of personal health insurance coverage.

  4. All necessary health records required by clinical affiliates (Check list provided/available online. See list of vaccinations immunity requirements under EMT-B).

  5. Criminal background check and drug screen requirements for clinical affiliate access apply. A student denied clinical access is unable to complete course objectives.

AEMT Required Courses - Total Credit Hours: 16 

Requirements for the AEMT Technical Certificate include:


  • Total certificate hours must be at least 16.
  • earning 25% of total program credits in residence at Columbia State.
  • earn GPA of at least 2.0 in courses requried for the certificate.

If you have completed TN eCampus courses, run a degree audit from the student tab in myChargerNet to determine how these courses apply to this program.

Paramedic (EMSP) Technical Certificate


Once you've spent some time in the field as an AEMT, you may want to further your education to the third and most coveted tier in EMS, Paramedic.

The Columbia State Community College Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs [CAAHEP] upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession [CoAEMSP].

CAAHEP
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727.210.2350

A Paramedic is a health care professional trained in the advanced skills needed for rendering care to the critically ill or injured patient in the pre-hospital, industry or emergency room settings.

The Paramedic curriculum is designed to enhance the basic and interpersonal skills obtained through the Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT) and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) courses. The program provides the scientific knowledge and advanced technical skills needed to recognize, assess and manage medical and/or trauma emergencies in the adult and pediatric patient, as well as obstetrical emergencies under the direction of a physician. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the examinations for the National Registry Certification and Tennessee Paramedic licensure.

The program is 12 months in length. All applicants must be licensed in Tennessee as an AEMT or eligible for state license prior to acceptance into the program. If eligible for licensure, the AEMT license must be obtained prior to starting the program.

Admission Requirements:

  1. Due to enrollment limitations, and the Tennessee Emergency Medical Services (EMS) regulations 1200-12-1-.13 governing admission requirements, applications are screened using established selection criteria as outlined below.

  2. In compliance with the State of Tennessee EMS Regulation 1200-12-1-.13 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, all applicants and admitted students must, with reasonable accommodation, be able to:

    1. lift a minimum of 125 lbs.

    2. visually assess patients in the work environment to include detecting auditory and color changes, as well as unusual odors.

    3. communicate both verbally and in writing using the English language.

    4. make appropriate judgments in emergency situations.

    5. demonstrate emotional stability.

    6. demonstrate psychological health in day-to-day interactions with patients, their family members and other personnel.

  3. Applicants must have demonstrated basic reading, writing, and math competencies as defined in the Admission Process below.

  4. Once admitted, students are required to submit documentation of the following entry requirements by August 1. If the documentation is not completed prior to the first day of fall classes, students will not be allowed in the clinical setting.

    1. Completed Physical Examination form (the form will be provided by the program director).

    2. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Requirements: All admitted students must submit evidence of current BLS (Basic Life Support) Provider certification compliant with American Heart Association (AHA) standards. Inclusion of two-person CPR and AED (Automatic Electronic Defibulator) use is required. In order to meet clinical affiliate expectations, AHA HeartCode® (blended learning) nor HeartSaver® are accepted. BLS classes are available through numerous providers and are periodically offered by Columbia State through the Economic & Workforce Development (EWD) office. Certification must be maintained continuously for the duration of enrollment.

    3. Evidence of personal health insurance coverage.

    4. All necessary health records required by clinical affiliates. (Check list provided/available online. See list of vaccinations/immunity requirements under EMT-B.)

    5. Criminal background check and drug screen requirements for clinical affiliate access apply. A student denied clinical access is unable to complete course objectives.

Admission Process:

  1. Applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to the College and apply for admission as stated in the College catalog.

  2. Students must place at Competency 1 or higher or have completed requirements for Competency 0 with regard to competencies in reading, writing, and math as determined by ACT sub-scores, the institutional challenge exam/placement process, or acceptable equivalent.

  3. All applicants must submit a completed application to the EMS department between January 1 and March 31.

  4. A copy of current AEMT license.

  5. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. One letter should be from the current employer. The second letter should be a character reference. Two letters of character reference may be used if currently unemployed.

  6. Prior to admission, all applicants will take an AEMT Entrance examination.

  7. Applicants will be interviewed by the EMS Review Panel.

  8. Admission decisions will be made by June 1. Admitted students will begin the program in the fall semester.

Selection Criteria:  Applicants must obtain an overall average of 2.5 out of 5 points in the following areas of the application process: Advanced Emergency Medical Technician entrance examination, math test, and oral interview to be eligible for admission into the Paramedic Program.

  1. AEMT entrance examination will be evaluated as follows:
    96 - 100 = 5 points
    92 - 95 = 4 points
    88 - 91 = 3 points
    84 - 87 = 2 points
    80 - 83 = 1 point
    Below 80 = 0 points

  2. Oral Interviews: Each member of the selection committee will evaluate the applicant in the areas of interpersonal skills, knowledge, professional characteristics and experience. Each member will score the applicant overall using a scale of 1-5 points. The scores from each member will then be averaged to obtain an interview score.

Retention Requirements:  After admission to the program, to remain eligible for continuation, a student must earn a grade of "C" or better in all EMSP level courses.

Graduation Requirements:  A technical certificate of achievement from Columbia State will be awarded to each student who completes the course requirements of the Paramedic Program with a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

Readmission Requirements: Readmission to the Paramedic Program after dismissal or withdrawal is not guaranteed, regardless of the reason.  A student who wishes to apply for readmission must do so in writing to the program director at least 90 days prior to the desired readmission date. Readmission decisions will be made on an individual basis. An interview with the program director is required before readmission. Regardless of the reason for dismissal, it is the sole responsibility of the student to request readmission in writing to the program director. Students who have been unsuccessful in completing the program after two attempts, will not be eligible for readmission.

EMS professionals who have successfully completed the Paramedic Technical certificate are encouraged to see program officials regarding degree advancement options.

Paramedic Required Courses - Total Credit Hours: 43

Semester I - Total Credit Hours: 15


Semester II - Total Credit Hours: 16


Semester III - Total Credit Hours: 12


Requirements for the Paramedic Technical Certificate include:


  • Total certificate hours must be at least 43.
  • earning 25% of total program credits in residence at Columbia State.
  • earn a GPA of at least 2.0 in courses required for the certificate.

Note(s):


For information regarding EMS certificates or degree options check our website: http://www.columbiastate.edu/emt-paramedic or contact our Health Sciences Division office at healthsciences@columbiastate.edu of 931.540.2599 or 931.540.2600.

For more information on EMT and AEMT Technical Certificates contact: Gred Johnson at gjohnson27@columbiastate.edu or 931.540.2792

For more information on the Parademic Technical Certificate contact: Dr. David Cauthen at dcauthen1@columbiastate.edu or 931.540.2686

Gainful Employment, graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed each certificate: 

EMT-B Gainful Employment Disclosure

AEMT Gainful Employment Disclosure

Paramedic Gainful Employment Disclosure

 

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