Emergency Medical Technician Curriculum Fall 2023 →
Emergency Medical Technician Curriculum Spring 2024 →
Who are Emergency Medical Technicians?
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are the link from the scene to the emergency health care system. EMTs provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. EMTs are trained in patient assessment, anatomy, and physiology, pathophysiology, management of medical and trauma patients, medication administration, as well as safe and effective EMS operations.
Why become an EMT?
The reasons for becoming an EMT are as varied as the people that come into this field. Some become EMTs to learn the skills to help their families and neighborhoods in the event of a disaster. Some use their EMT training to advance their education to become paramedics or enter other medical fields. Whatever your reasons, know that this is a dynamic, challenging, and demanding profession. EMS professionals must have passion, dedication, and compassion. Being an EMT is not for everyone, but for those that answer the call, it can be a lifelong passion!
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics will grow 11% between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all U.S. occupations (www.bls.gov). A growing aging population is expected to increase the likelihood of medical emergencies, thus increasing the need for EMTs and paramedics. Plus, emergency rooms are frequently overcrowded, increasing the time that EMTs and paramedics must spend with each patient. This is also likely to increase the number of job positions. In addition, job prospects are expected to be good since paid employees are needed to replace volunteers with a high turnover rate.
Schedule
FALL AND SPRING SEMESTER
- Day Option
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8am-12pm - Evening Option
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 6pm-10pm
SUMMER SEMESTER
- 10 weeks (May-July)
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8am-2pm
EMT Program Outcomes
- To prepare competent entry-level EMTs in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
- Pass the National Registry Certification examination and obtain state licensure as an EMT.
- Safely manage the scene of an emergency.
- Establish and maintain a patent airway, oxygenation, and ventilation of a patient.
- Perform a comprehensive history and physical assessment, formulate a field impression, and implement a treatment plan for patients with multiple, complex trauma and medical emergencies in a variety of settings.
- Appropriately and safely administer emergency medications necessary to fulfill the role of an entry-level EMS Professional as defined in the National EMS Scope of Practice Model.
Student Learning Outcomes
Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
The Emergency Medical Technician provides basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. The EMT Certificate prepares students for careers in Emergency Medical Services in the private and public service areas upon completion of coursework and passing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Certification Examination.
Successful graduates of the program will be able to:
- Apply and evaluate their knowledge and skills relative to the role of an entry-level EMS Professional;
- Safely manage the scene of an emergency;
- Establish and maintain a patient airway, oxygenation, and ventilation of a patient;
- Perform a comprehensive history and physical assessment, formulate a field impression, and implement a treatment plan for patients with multiple, complex trauma and medical emergencies in a variety of settings;
- Appropriately and safely administer emergency medications necessary to fulfill the role of an entry-level EMS Professional as defined in the National EMS Scope of Practice Model;
- Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the professional expectations of an entry-level EMS professional.
Curriculum
The Emergency Medical Technician Program consists of 2 courses, EM 101 and EM 105. The EMT course (EM 101) is a 6-credit foundations course in the Principles and Practice of Emergency Medical Treatment and Transportation. Accompanying this course is a 2-credit field Internship (EM 105) that prepares students for professional practice through a structured, intensive simulation laboratory and clinical rotations with local EMS or hospital agencies.
Upon successfully completing EM 101 and EM 105, students will be eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs certification exam. Both courses are required to be completed. In addition, students must complete both courses in the same semester to be eligible for NREMT certification.
The primary focus of the Emergency Medical Technician is to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response under medical oversight. Emergency Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Emergency Medical Technician is a link from the scene to the emergency health care system.
The EMT Certificate prepares students for careers in Emergency Medical Services as EMTs in the private and public service areas upon completion of coursework and national certification exams and licensure as an EMT.
Admissions Requirements
- HS Diploma or equivalent, or Associate Degree or higher
- English Placement Placement into EN 098 Fundamentals of Composition II or completion of EN 090 Fundamentals of Composition I with a grade of C or higher.
- Reading Reading Placement Test with a score of 246 or higher.
- CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sexual Offender Registry Information) background checks are required before clinical placement and will be conducted in accordance with state regulations. CORI and SORI results are confidential.
- Students who do not submit the required Division of Health Sciences (DHS) health forms or other required information will not be able to attend clinical rotations. This will have a negative impact on the student’s ability to complete the program. Forms/ information must be submitted to the student’s Viewpoint Screening account. Students are encouraged to begin completing the required immunizations at least one semester before enrolling. Refer to the DHS Student Handbook for additional information.
Licensure
Once students successfully complete both parts of the NREMT initial examination, they may apply to the MA Office of Emergency Medical Services for licensure at the appropriate level. The initial fee for Licensure is $150, payable to MA OEMS upon completion of the NREMT exam. Licensure applications and fees are described on the MA OEMS website at www.mass.gov/dph/oems. EMS licenses are valid for two years and must be recertified biannually upon completion of mandatory continuing education and current NREMT certification.