Emergency Medical Technology Paramedic Certificate, CERT1

(CIP 51.0904)

281-756-5610

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Purpose: The Emergency Medical Technology Program offers training towards professional Emergency Medical Services certifications: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and Paramedic. Paramedic certification also allows students to obtain an AAS Degree.

The Alvin Community College Emergency Medical Technology Program is designed to prepare students to recognize various emergencies and provide efficient emergency medical care to the sick and injured both at the scene and during transport to the hospital. The Alvin Community College Emergency Medical Technology Program is designed to prepare students for a career in emergency medical services. The program is both mentally and physically challenging. Because of the unique environment in which EMS personnel function, it is important to have a good understanding ofthe demands of the profession. Interested individuals are strongly encouraged to carefully review position descriptions and consider the commitment to perform essential job functions.

Successful course completion qualifies candidates to take the National Registry examination required for EMS Certification/Licensure by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

The Emergency Medical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
FAX 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org

Please note that applications are required for each certification level of the Emergency Medical Technology Program regardless of acceptance to the previous level.

Please note that admission to Alvin Community College does not guarantee admission to the Emergency Medical Technology Program. A person who has ever been arrested, convicted of or received deferred adjudication for anything other than a minor traffic violation, has been diagnosed with mental illness, or has a history of substance abuse, should contact the Texas Department of State Health Services for Emergency Medical Services personnel certification eligibility criteria and clearance. Individuals with felonies are ineligible for admission to the Emergency MedicalTechnology Program.

Functional Job Description: EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic

The following general position description should guide you when considering what qualifications, competencies, and tasks are required of the EMT. The ultimate responsibility for defining specific job descriptions lies with each EMS entity. This means that even though a student meets the requirements of Alvin Community College’s Emergency Medical Technology Program, he or she is not guaranteed to meet those set by a specific employer.

Required Qualification for All EMS Professional

You must first successfully complete the course of study offered through the EMS Department. The Texas Department of State Health Services has approved all our EMT courses. Once you have successfully completed the program, you are eligible for certification with the Texas Department of State Health Services. However, you will not be granted certification until you have passed the national certification exam.

You must be at least 18 years of age. You will need at least a high school education or its equivalent (a GED) to master the knowledge and skills required for successful completion. You must possess the ability to communicate verbally face-to-face, by telephone, by computer, and by radio equipment; ability to lift, carry, and balance up to 125 pounds (250 with assistance); ability to interpret written and oral instructions; ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high stress situations; ability to work effectively in an environment with loud noises, flashing lights, and other distractions; ability to function effectively throughout and entire work shift (up to 24 hours without sleep); ability to read small print under lifethreatening time constraints; ability to read and understand English language manuals and road maps; ability to read information on computer screens, ability to discern street signs and address numbers; ability to interview patients, family members, and bystanders; ability to document, on paper and using a computer, relevant information with medical and legal ramifications in a prescribed format; ability to converse in English with coworkers and hospital staff as to patient status; good manual dexterity, with ability to perform all tasks related to highest quality patient care; ability to bend, stoop, and crawl on uneven terrain; ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture; ability to work in low light, confined spaces, and other dangerous environments.

Transfer Policy

Coursework from another program or from military training will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Program Director. A grade of “C” or better is required on all transferred general education courses. A grade of “B” or better is required on all transferred program specific courses. Transfer students will be admitted on a space available basis.

Transfer students must:

1. Complete the admission requirements to Alvin Community College as well as the Program admission criteria.
2. Submit course syllabi from the previous institution, if requested by the Program Director.
3. Meet with the Program Director.

Selection for Admission

Admission to the Emergency Medical Technology Program is competitive. After the application deadline, applicants are ranked by the selection rubrics for each level of certification, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic. The Emergency Medical Technology Program Applicant Selection Committee oversees selection of the approved applicants. Students are notified via Alvin Community College student email approximately 2 weeks (business days) as to their selection status and ability to register for courses. Students must present the acceptance letter to the registration specialist upon enrollment in EMSP courses.

Progression / Dismissal Policies

1. Students are expected to abide by the current Emergency Medical Technology admission, curriculum conduct, and program requirements at the time they are admitted to the Emergency Medical Technology Program.
2. Emergency Medical Technology courses cannot be taken out of order as shown in the catalog and degree plan.
3. New Program students are encouraged to complete the entire Paramedic program. Please note that there are exit points after EMT and AEMT.
4. Students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 or better throughout their tenure in the Program.
5. Students must have a “C” or better in all completed general education courses.
6. A student who withdraws from an EMSP lecture/lab course with a related clinical component must withdraw from the corresponding course.
7. A student who receives a grade of C, D or F in an Emergency Medical Technology course with a related clinical component will be assigned the grade of “F” in the corresponding course. A student who receives a grade of C, D or F in an Emergency Medical Technology clinical course with a related Emergency Medical Technology lecture/lab course will be assigned the grade of “F” in the corresponding course(s). The student will have to repeat all courses; the failed course and the “F” course(s).
8. A student must achieve a B average in all EMSP courses to receive a course completion and take the certification exam associated with the level of enrollment.
9. Co-requisite courses must be completed for a student to be eligible to apply for the next level of certification courses.
10. The Paramedic portion of the Program is 2 full (Fall and Spring) semesters. Both semesters must be completed without interruption between the two.
11. A student may be dismissed from the program for academic dishonesty. When dismissed, a grade of “F” will be assigned the EMSP courses where the behavior occurred. A grade of “F” will be assigned to any other EMSP courses taken concurrently.

Readmission

Students may be readmitted to the Emergency Medical Technology Program (the incomplete certification level; EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic) ONCE after withdrawal or failure of a course.

1. Once enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technology Program, a student who receives a C, D, F or W in an EMSP course or drops an EMSP course, must, if eligible, apply for readmission.
2. Students are readmitted on a space available basis and on the student’s compliance with conditions/requirements established by the Program Director. These requirements may include but are not limited to, remediation in academic course work, repeat of the EMSP course(s) previously taken, or documentation of recovery from illness. Inability to meet readmission stipulations may be grounds for denial or permanent dismissal from the Program.
3. Students applying for readmission must apply in writing to the Program Director at least 14 days prior to the semester in which readmission is desired. Include the following information: date of withdrawal from the Program; level of certification courses being taken at the time of withdrawal, primary reason(s) for withdrawal from the Program; understanding the requirement for readmission at the time of withdrawal; ways in which recommendations at the time of withdrawal have been completed; and what has been done to improve chances of successful completion.
4. Evidence of competency in previously completed EMSP courses will be required prior to readmission. This will be accomplished through an examination and clinical skills competency demonstration. Tests will be administered once per semester and evaluated by a faculty review committee. Contact the Program Director for test dates.
5. Re-entering students must abide by the current admission, curriculum, conduct, and program requirements at the time they are admitted to the Emergency Medical Technology Program.
6. Following a second withdrawal from the Program, a student will not be readmitted. Students may petition for readmission when a second withdrawal occurs because of a catastrophic event. The student must have a passing grade in the EMSP course(s) at the time of withdrawal. Petition will be considered by the faculty review committee.
7. The department reserves the right to deny readmission to a student who discontinued to the program because of academic dishonesty or exhibited unsafe and/or unprofessional behavior. The decision to deny or accept readmission will be made by a faculty review committee.

Student Accountability

Students are responsible for the following costs which are NOT included with the tuition and fees charged by Alvin Community College.

1. Criminal background screening.
2. Drug screen - to include any for cause or random testing.
3. Program uniform.
4. Any required vaccinations, immunizations, or titers (Vaccination declinations are NOT permitted).
   • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MRR) - 2 shots in the series or positive antibody titer for all 3 components
   • Varicella (Chickenpox) - Vaccine or medically documented history of disease or a positive antibody titer
   • Hepatitis B (Hep B) - 3 shots in the series or a positive antibody titer
   • Tuberculosis (TB) - 1 step TB Skil test (negative) or QuantiFERON Gold Blood Test or provide a clear Chest X-Ray
   • Tetanus (Tdap) - documentation of a Tdap booster within the past 10 years or documentation of a Td booster within the past 2 years
   • Meningitis - for students 22 years old and younger
   • Flu Shot (During Flu season) - Dated September 1st through March 30th of the year of application
5. Physical
6. Textbook(s)
7. Transportation to and from clinical sites and field sites
8. Cost of meals at clinical sites
9. CPR Certification

Paramedic Admission Requirements

Paramedic cohorts begin every August (Fall semester). The ACC EMT Program only runs one Paramedic cohort per academic year. Applications are available at http://www.alvincollege.edu/emt-ems/ or in the Health Science Building Room S108. See the Emergency Medical Technology website for application acceptance dates and deadlines. Qualified applicants are admitted according to space available. To be considered for admission into the Paramedic portion of the Emergency Medical Technology Program, the applicant must:

1. Have completed the Apply Texas application.
2. Been accepted to Alvin Community College.
3. Have submitted all required official transcripts to Alvin Community College.
4. Have access to your Alvin Community College email account.
5. Be 18 years of age or older.
6. Have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
   1. the high school diploma must be from a school accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or a corresponding agency from another state. Candidates who received a high school education in another country must have their transcript evaluated by a foreign credentials evaluation service that attests to its equivalency. A home school diploma is acceptable (TAC RULE §157.33 - Certification).
7. Have a VALID Texas Driver’s License or Valid Texas Identification Card.
8. Have a VALID Social Security card or Permanent Resident Card.
9. Have a VALID, non-expired, non-suspended TEXAS EMT Certification or TEXAS EMT I certification OR
   Have a VALID Advanced EMT course completion certificate from a TEXAS Department of State Health Services approved AEMT course.
10. American Heart Association BLS CPR Certification (No other forms of CPR certification are permitted).
11. Complete all Viewpoint requirements. (See Student Accountability).
12. Meet the functional and physical qualifications required to work as a Paramedic (See Above).
13. Complete, in its entirety, the Paramedic application and turn it in by the posted deadline.

Paramedic Student Learning Outcomes

1. Integrate pathophysiological assessment findings to formulate a field impression; implement a treatment plan for the medical patient; and integrate multiple determinants of medical conditions into clinical care.
2. Integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate an impression; and implement a treatment plan for the cardiac patient.
3. Categorize the classification of drugs, calculate drug dosages; and identify the therapeutic use, routes of administration, indications, contraindications, and adverse effect.
4. Integrate pathophysiological assessment findings to formulate a field impression; implement a treatment plan for diverse patients of special populations; and integrate multiple terminants of such conditions into clinical care.
5. Integrate theory and reinforce skills introduced in other courses; and demonstrate comprehensive problem-solving techniques.
6. Integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate a field impression; and implement a treatment plan at the paramedic level.
7. Identify principles of EMS Operations; and describe management of routine and specialized incidents.
8. As outlined in the learning plan, apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry; and will demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry.