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

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. 

3. 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

• EMSB 1601 - EMT Medical Emergencies and EMS Operations Credit(s): 6
• EMSB 1602 - EMT Trauma and Medical Emergencies Credit(s): 6
• EMSB 1101 - EMT Medical Skills Lab Credit(s): 1
• EMSB 1102 - EMT Trauma and Medical Skills Lab Credit(s): 1
• EMSB 1111 - EMT Clinical Credit(s): 1
• EMSB 1112 - EMT Field Internship Credit(s): 1

• Upon Successful completion, the candidate is eligible to receive a Technical Certificate and challenge the National Registry exam to obtain National Certification as an EMT and Tennessee State licensure as an EMT and may advance into the AEMT Technical Certificate.

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 

• Prerequisite: Applicants 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.

• EMSA 1501 - Advanced EMT Medical Emergencies Credit(s): 5
• EMSA 1502 - Advanced EMT Trauma and Medical Emergencies Credit(s): 5
• EMSA 1201 - Advanced EMT Medical Skills Lab Credit(s): 2
• EMSA 1202 - Advanced EMT Trauma and Medical Skills Lab Credit(s): 2
• EMSA 1111 - Advanced EMT Clinical Credit(s): 1
• EMSA 1112 - Advanced EMT Field Internship Credit(s): 1

• Upon successful completion of the AEMT technical certificate, cadidates 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 AEMT license.

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

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