Emergency Medical Technician [ EMS ] - Lakeland Community College

SCIENCE & HEALTH DIVISION

Contents
	Nature of the Job
	EMT Basic
	Paramedic
	Required Courses

Proper pre-hospital medical care is critical in an emergency situation. You can make the difference between life and death of a severely injured or sick person. Emergency Medical Technicians play a vital role in the delivery of prehospital emergency medical care. There are three levels of Emergency Medical Technicians in the state of Ohio (EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, EMT-Paramedic.) They all provide initial care for people until they reach the emergency room. To provide this care, Emergency Medical Technicians work in teams. The team consists of any combination of the three levels of care. The care is given in cooperation with the emergency room doctors and nurses. This is accomplished through the use of protocols, radios, and telephones. Lakeland Community College offers training at the EMT-Basic and EMT-Paramedic levels.

Nature of the Job
People’s lives often depend on quick reaction and competent care. Incidents such as automobile accidents, heart attacks, strokes, drowning, and childbirth all require immediate medical care. Emergency Medical Technicians provide this care and transport the patient to a medical facility.

Depending on the nature of the emergency, Emergency Medical Technicians are dispatched to the scene by 911 operators. EMT’s work in close cooperation with law enforcement and firefighters. Once EMT’s arrive on the scene, they determine the nature or extent of the patient’s injuries while ascertaining about the patient’s preexisting medical conditions if any. Following strict procedures they give appropriate medical care and transport based on the patients condition. Some conditions can be handled by following general rules and guidelines. While more complicated problems are carried out under direction from medical doctors through radio contact.

EMT’s use special equipment such as an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) on a patient whose heart has stopped. With the AED the EMT may be able to restore the patient’s heartbeat prior to transporting the patient to a hospital. Usually one person of the team will drive the ambulance to the medical facility while the other will monitor the patient’s vital signs and give any additional treatment.

At the medical facility, the EMT’s will transfer the patient care to the emergency room doctors and nurses. On transfer of care, the EMT will give the doctors a verbal report of the patient’s condition and treatment that they rendered. Prior to leaving the emergency room they will fill out a written report. After each run, the EMT’s will replace the supplies they used and clean the patient area so they are ready for the next response.

EMT Basic

Classroom instruction will provide you with the knowledge and background to enter the work force as an EMT-Basic. Some of the skills will include cardiopulmonary resuscitation, semi-automatic defibrillation, assess nature and extent of injury or illness to establish and prioritize procedures to be followed. During the class, you will participate in practical lab sessions that will provide learning and practice time for these skills. The lab is equipped with the basic and specialized equipment needed to sharpen the skills that are required in the work place. We have included the use of computerized learning tools to help achieve high levels of competency. At the end of the program, you will be tested on five core skills. Successful completion of these skills along with an average grade of 75% in class and passing a comprehensive exam is necessary to sit for state certification.

Certification Requirements

For an Emergency Medical Technician Basic are:
Maintain a 75% grade average in the class
Complete 20 hours of clinical time
Pass the final comprehensive exam
Successfully pass the National Registry written exam with a 70%
18 years old at time of State certification.
Possess a valid driver’s license
Possess a High School diploma or GED

Paramedic

Classroom instruction will provide you with the knowledge and background to enter the work force as an EMT-Paramedic. You will be required to take three classes. Some of the skills will include cardiac monitoring, intravenous access, medication administration, and intubation, assess nature and extent of injury or illness to establish and prioritize procedures to be followed. During the classes you will participate in practical lab sessions that will provide learning and practice time for these skills. The lab is equipped with the basic and specialized equipment needed to sharpen the skills that are required in the work place. Once you have practiced skills in the lab setting, you will be required to complete a certain amount of clinical experience to further refine your skills on real patients. We have included the use of computerized learning tools to help achieve high levels of competency. To progress from one class to the next, a student must have a 75% or better class average. At the end of the program you will be tested on core skills required to become a paramedic. Successful completion of these skills along with an average grade of 75% in class will allow you to take the National Registry written and practical exam.

Certification Requirements

For an EMT paramedic are:

Maintain your state EMT basic card
Maintain you CPR card
Successfully complete all three classes
Successfully complete your clinical experience
Pass your ACLS test
Successfully pass the National Registry written exam
Successfully complete the National Registry practical exam

Required Courses

For EMT

EMTS 1010 Emergency Medical Technician Basic

Prerequisites CPR –American Heart Health Care Provider or Red Cross Professional Rescuer.

This introductory course provides basic knowledge and skills used in the treatment and transport of the sick or injured until they reach the hospital. The course places emphasis on lifting and moving patients, trauma and medical patient management, and airway and cardiac management. Successful completion of this course qualifies students to take the National Registry Exam.

For Paramedic

EMTS 2011 Paramedic Beginner

Prerequisite Currently a State of Ohio Certified EMT card

This is the first in a series of four courses needed for EMT-Paramedic Certification. It provides the student with basic knowledge and skill for general patient assessment, general pharmacology, burn management, communicable disease prevention, respiratory management, and trauma care in the prehospital setting.

EMTS 2021 Paramedic Intermediate A

This is the second in a series of four courses needed for EMT-Paramedic Certification. It provides students with the concepts, principles and skills needed to care for respiratory and cardiac emergencies.

EMTS 2031 Paramedic Intermediate B

This is the third in a series of four courses needed for EMT-Paramedic Certification. It provides students with the concepts, principles and skills needed to care for obstetrical, gynecology, neonatology, and pediatric emergencies.

EMTS 2041 Paramedic Advanced

This is the last in a series of four courses needed for paramedic certification. It provides students with the knowledge and skills for medical emergencies and patients with special needs. Students will develop skills needed to function at mass casualty, rescue, and hazardous material incidents.

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