Emergency Medical and Health Services
Program Chair
Melissa Stoddard, MICP
253.566.5219 mstoddard@tacomacc.edu
TCC’s Emergency Medical and Health Services program prepares students for employment in the emergency medical services field. The program has two levels: the EMT-Basic certificate course and the Paramedic certificate/optional AAS degree.
EMT-Basic provides basic life support and transportation for victims of illness and injury. The EMT-Basic program at TCC follows U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines as well as Washington State Department of Health standards.
Paramedics are typically employed by fire services, hospitals, and ambulance companies and while in the field serve as the eyes, ears, and hands of an emergency physician. The program is designed to prepare graduates to meet state certification requirements and to take the National Registry EMT-Paramedic examination.
The TCC Paramedic education program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) by recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the certificate in Paramedic Education, students will:
- Function as competent, entry-level National Registered Paramedics.
- Use critical-thinking and decision-making skills to perform a differential diagnosis, identify patient care priorities, and develop and execute patient-care plans.
- Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills consistent with the practice of pre-hospital medicine.
- Function efficiently and effectively as members of a health care teams, including treating all patients with dignity, respect and courtesy consistent with the standards of the profession.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior in all aspects of Paramedic care.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE EMT-BASIC COURSE
- ACCUPLACER assessment exam scores showing placement at ENGL/ 085 or higher, MATH 085 or higher or successful completion with a ‘C’ grade or higher in MATH 075.
- Current driver’s license
- Current CPR card (Health Care Provider) card issued by the American Heart Association or Professional Rescuer card issued by the American Red Cross. No other cards are accepted.
Emergency Medical Technician–Basic Certificate
(8 credits)
The EMT-Basic program is the entry-level certification course for the Emergency Medical and Health Services field.
Emergency Medical Technician Basic |
8 |
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PARAMEDIC PROGRAM
- EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate certification with work or volunteer experience for a minimum of one or more years ride time. Certification requires state licensure and/or national licensure with Registry (NREMT)
- Completion of MATH 090, ENGL& 101 or showing placement in ENGL& 101 and MATH 090.
Additional Requirements
Contact the EMS program for information about:
- Criminal and federal fraud background checks
- Health insurance
- Immunizations
Students are responsible for arranging dependable transportation to and from clinical sites and dependable child/dependent care. Admission to the TCC paramedic education program is competitive. There are usually more program applicants than available positions. Completing prerequisite courses and satisfying requirements for a completed application does not guarantee program admission.
Paramedic Education Certificate
(65 credits)
NOTE: It is anticipated that summer 2013 will be the last admission quarter for a certificate only in Paramedic. Consult the TCC website for more information about the newly structured Associate in Applied Science in Paramedic Medicine.
- Prerequisites (8 credits)
Human Biology |
5 |
|
Medical Terminology |
3 |
- Fall Quarter (22 credits)
Introduction to Emergency Medical Care |
4 |
|
Paramedic I (didactic) |
12 |
|
Paramedic Clinical I |
4 |
|
Total Fitness |
2 |
- Winter Quarter (21 credits)
Paramedic (didactic) II |
12 |
|
Paramedic Clinical II |
7 |
|
Advanced Total Fitness |
2 |
- Spring Quarter (14 credits)
Paramedic III (didactic) |
5 |
|
Paramedic Clinical III |
9 |
Associate in Applied Sciences Degree
(107 credits)
The AAS degree in Emergency Medical & Health Services requires the completion of the Paramedic Education Certificate (65 credits) and an additional 42 credits of required degree courses. With the exception of EMC 200, students may take all of the required degree courses in advance of the Paramedic Education certificate program.
- Required Degree Courses (42 additional credits))
Contemporary Issues in Pre-Hospital Care |
2 |
|
General Psychology |
5 |
|
English Composition I |
5 |
|
Business Math |
5 |
|
or MATH& 107 |
Math in Society |
|
Management Principles and Organizational Systems |
5 |
|
or BUS 164 |
Leadership and Human Relations |
|
PHIL 105 |
Introduction to Critical Thinking |
5 |
or ENGL& 102 |
Composition II: Argument and Persuasion |
|
Introduction to Sociology |
5 |
|
Introduction to Communication |
5 |
|
or CMST& 220 |
Public Speaking |
|
Word I, Excel I |
5 |