Health Professions: Emergency Medical Technology

	Advanced Life Support EMT Enhanced Intermediate & Paramedic Program Accelerated ALS ALS Refresher Advanced Cardiac Life Support Pediatric Advanced Life Support Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology Critical Care Career Studies Basic Life Support Programs

Please see the ALS Welcome Letter for a checklist of pre-clinical requirements.

Prerequisites:

• Current EMT & CPR
• 18 years of age at the onset of the program
• High school degree or GED
• Be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking the English language
• Have no physical defects which would render the student unfit to perform all duties required
• Have never been convicted of a felony involving any sexual crime
• No felony convictions within the last five years
  

A physical exam within the last two years with proof of specific immunizations is required before you can start the clinical internship.

EMT - Enhanced

The EMT Enhanced Program provides the EMS  Enhanced provider with specific skills to provide a limited amount of advanced life support (ALS) treatment to patients.

The EMT Enhanced is authorized to initiate specific intravenous infusions and administer a limited number of intravenous, subcutaneous and intra muscular medications based upon local medical protocols.  Additional skills in airway management and endotracheal intubation are included in the program.  The skills utilized by the EMT Enhanced  may vary due to local requirements of agency Operational Medical Director discretion.

The EMT Enhanced program consists of:

• EMS 151 Introduction to Advanced Life Support (4 credits)
• EMS 170 ACLSInternship (1 credit)
  

Students who are only interested in completing EMT- E must be 911 agency affiliated in order to complete the field internship requirements.

For agencies interested in an on-site program or alternative schedules contact the Program Director, Lorna Ramsey,  at (757) 822-7335/7275.

EMT - Intermediate  & Paramedic Program

The Paramedic Program is four semesters.  The curriculum meets the U.S. Department of Transportation's’s 1998 Paramedic National Standard Curriculum. 

Students upon completion of requirements are eligible to test  at the following points in the curriculum:

• after completion of the 1st semester, Virginia EMT Enhanced (if agency sponsored)
• end of the 2nd semester, National Registry Intermediate
• end of the 4th semester, National Registry Paramedic.
  
  Upon successful completion of the National Registry the student applies for Virginia certification.

The classroom schedule is 2 nights a week from 1800-2200 or 1 day a week 0800-1700 with occasional Saturday classes. Operations (EMS 211) is usually offered as an online course and can be completed during any semester. The program is set up as a flip-flop if registration is sufficient to support both sections. Clinical and field is scheduled around the student's needs.

The Paramedic program develops the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver the highest level of pre hospital emergency care using basic and advanced life support techniques.

The program is designed to educate the EMT in all areas of pre-hospital patient care.  Courses include:  preparatory, airway and ventilation management, patient assessment, trauma, medical, special considerations such as pediatrics, geriatrics, OB/GYN, neonatal, behavioral, assessment-based management, and operations.

In Virginia, all initial intermediate and Paramedic Programs are required to test the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.  Upon successful completion  of the National Registry testing process, the technician must apply for Virginia certification before being allowed to practice at this level.

Certification or licensure at the Paramedic level is the prevailing national standard for advanced life support training. Virginia does not require Intermediates or Paramedics to maintain the National Registry certification, but it is usually beneficial if you plan to relocate.

Accelerated ALS Programs

Accelerated Intermediate and paramedic programs are available. Paramedic is generally a 36 credit 20 week program with the opportunity to test intermediate at approximately week 10-12 (18-z19 credits).

Please see the Accelerated Paramedic Welcome Letter for further information.

ALS Refresher (Workforce Development and credit)

ALS refreshers are available for all levels.  These are usually scheduled January through March but can be contracted through interested groups. Call (757) 822-7335 for details.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (EMS 165, 1 Credit)

The goal of an American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Provider’s course is for the participant to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to manage adult cardiac emergencies.  This course is designed for healthcare providers (medical, nursing, paramedical, or allied health personnel) whose daily occupations or volunteer activities demand proficiency in the knowledge and skills of ACLS.  Others may attend with the approval of the course director.  Pre-course study is required.

TCC offers a two day Provider Course that is recommended for individuals who infrequently use  or who have never taken ACLS, and an ACLS Renewal Course that is recommended for experienced providers . 

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (EMS 169, 1 Credit)

The American Heart Association’s  (AHA) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) program is designed to improve the skills and knowledge in the assessment and management of pediatric and neonatal emergencies. This course is designed for healthcare providers (medical, nursing, paramedical, or allied health personnel) whose daily occupations or volunteer activities demand proficiency in the knowledge and skills of PALS.  Others may attend with the approval of the course director.  Pre-course study is required.

TCC offers a PALS Provider Course and a PALS Renewal.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) program combines paramedic studies with core studies over a 4 semester period. Upon its successful completion, the individual is qualified to receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree from TCC, as well as certification to practice as a Nationally Registered Paramedic. Many students first complete their paramedic studies and then their course requirements to obtain their degree.

Pre-requisites :

• Current EMT & CPR
• 18 years of age at the onset of the program
• High school degree or GED
• Be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking the English language
• Have no physical defects which would render the student unfit to perform all duties required
• Have never been convicted of a felony involving any sexual crime
• No felony convictions within the last five years 
• 3 units of high school English
• 1 unit each of high school or college math and biology with “C” or better