2023-2024 Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
    Oct 08, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog and Student Handbook [Archived Catalog]

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Technical Certificate


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.

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.  Students must contact program faculty directly to register for EMSA courses. 

Note(s):


Requirements for Graduation include:

  1. Total certificate hours must be at least 16
  2. earn 25% of total program credits in residence at Columbia State
  3. earn GPA of at least 2.0 in program courses
  4. earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

Upon successful completion of the AEMT 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 AEMT license.

Students and advisors should run a degree audit using Degree Works in ChargerNet each semester to confirm classes are applicable to the program of study.

For more information regarding graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, review Gainful Employment Disclosures for this certificate under Consumer Information.

For more information contact:
Amanda Schatz at awatson12@columbiastate.edu or 931.540.2686
Health Sciences Division at
HealthSciences@columbiastate.edu or 931.540.2599 or 931.540.2600
Detailed information is also available via: www.columbiastate.edu/emt-paramedic

Requirements for AEMT Technical Certificate Include:


A student will need either your TN EMT license (outside the 120 day window of ending EMT program) or National Registry EMT earned (if within 120 window of completing EMT school). EMSA classes are completed in one semester.  Class size is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-qualified basis.  The following requirements must be met in order to enroll in EMSA 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 successful 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 EMSA 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.  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 Workforce & Continuing Education office.  Certification must be maintained continuously for the duration of enrollment. 

  3. Evidence of personal health insurance coverage.

  4. Evidence/documentation for the following (on or after the first birthday, where applicable):
    1. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): titer lab report verifying immunity OR documentation of two (2) MMR vaccinations.
    2. Varicella zoster (chicken pox): titer lab report verifying immunity, documentation of disease (month and year of occurrence validated by a medical provide), OR documentation of two (2) Varicella vaccinations.
    3. Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis booster within the past ten years.
    4. Hepatitis B: documentation of the Hep B vaccine series (completed or in progress) OR titer lab results verifying immunity.
    5. Seasonally current influenza immunization. 
    6. Any other immunizations required for clinical affiliate access (or facility approved exemptions if offered).
  5. Criminal background check and drug screen requirements for clinical affiliate access apply. A student denied clinical access is unable to complete course objectives at that site.

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. Criminal background checks and routine drug screens are required by several affiliate 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 clinicals 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.