Emergency Medical Services (AAS)

The Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) degree follows the 2009 EMS Education Standards published by the US Department of Transportation and involves 555 hours of classroom and lab instruction; an extensive structured 270 hour in-hospital clinical component with experienced preceptors at various medical centers and a field internship with a high performance urban EMS agency. 

Students successfully completing this program will be eligible for certification testing by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

The Paramedic program provides general instruction in all human body systems and advanced life support management for a wide range of conditions. Components of this program include:

• Introduction to Paramedic

• Pharmacology

• Airway Management and Ventilation

• Advanced Patient Assessment

• Medicine

• Trauma

• Special Populations

• EMS Operations

See also the following additional program information:

• Admissions Requirements > Emergency Medical Services | AAS

• Attendance Policies > Emergency Medical Services (EMS) | AAS

• Transferability of Credit > Emergency Medical Services section

About Emergency Medical Services

The Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system.  This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight.  Paramedics perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Paramedic is a link from the scene into the health care system. 

In most communities, Paramedics provide a large portion of the out-of-hospital care and represent the highest level of out-of-hospital care.  Paramedics work alongside other EMS and health care professionals as an integral part of the emergency care team.

The Paramedic’s scope of practice includes basic and advanced skills focused on the acute management and transportation of the broad range of patients who require emergency medical care.  This may occur at an emergency scene until transportation resources arrive, from an emergency scene to a health care facility, between health care facilities, or in other health care settings.

Applicants for employment in Emergency Medical Services must be capable of completing an employment process which may include the following:

• Criminal History Check

• Drug Screening

• Psychological Screening/ Mental Health History

• Driving Record

• Polygraph Examination

• Security Clearance

• Physical Agility

• Physical Health Evaluation

• Military Disciplinary History

• Domestic Violence Investigations

• Credit History

• Social Networking Background Investigation

• Background Investigation

• Panel Interviews

• Behavioral Assessment

• Possession of a Valid Driver's License

• Compliance with policies regarding body art/ tattoos and piercings

• Tobacco Free Agreement

• Educational History

A criminal background check, 5-panel urine drug screen, employment physical, proof of PPD test or negative chest x-ray, proof of tetanus inoculation, a Hepatitis B titer, Varicella titer, proof of MMR vaccination and current AHA Healthcare Provider CPR certification are required.

Recommended Certifications

Successful completion of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Certification Examination is required to obtain Paramedic Certification.  Affiliation or employment with a licensed EMS Agency and approval of the Agency Operational Medical Director is required to practice as a Paramedic.

Student Evaluation

The faculty uses the objectives of the EMS Program as criteria for student evaluation. Student grades are determined by a combination of assignment completion, written examinations, laboratory and clinical competencies and professional behavior as detailed on the course syllabus.

The achievement of the student in theory, psychomotor performance, clinical performance and professional behavior is evaluated by the faculty at regular intervals and shared with the student. The student progresses to the next term when all course requirements have been met. Students must maintain a 73 percent average in all EMS or science courses and meet all psychomotor competency requirements.

At the completion of certain courses, students will be required to complete a computerized, national examination that tests the student’s comprehensive knowledge of the course content. The student must score a minimum of 73% on the unit summative exams.

All clinical courses have minimum hour requirements and minimum clinical competency requirements. Both the minimum hours and the minimum clinical competencies must be met.

A final course grade of less than 73 percent or failure to meet clinical or laboratory requirements will result in failure of a course.

Following completion of all course requirements, the Paramedic student must score a minimum of 76% on the comprehensive capstone exam to be eligible for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Certification Examination.