Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

• Apply fundamental knowledge of the EMS system, safety/well-being of the EMT, medical/legal and ethical issues to the provision of the emergency care.
• Integrate complex knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the airway, respiratory, and circulatory system to the practice of EMS.
• Use simple knowledge of the principles of the role of EMS during public health emergencies.
• Apply fundamental knowledge of the medications carried by the Advanced EMT that may be administered to the patient during an emergency.
• Apply knowledge of upper airway anatomy and physiology to patient assessment and management in order to assure a patent airway, adequate mechanical ventilation and respiration for patients of all ages.
• Apply scene information and patient assessment findings (scene size-up, primary and secondary assessment, patient history, reassessment) to guide emergency management.
• Apply fundamental knowledge to provide basic and selected advanced emergency care and transportation based on assessment findings for a patient in shock, respiratory failure or arrest, cardiac failure or arrest and post resuscitation management.
• Apply fundamental knowledge to provide basic and selected advanced emergency care and transportation based on assessment findings for an acutely injured trauma (bleeding, chest trauma, abdominal/GI trauma, orthopedic trauma, soft tissue trauma, head/facial/neck/spinal trauma, nervous system trauma, environmental) patient.
• Apply fundamental knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities to ensure patient, public, and personnel safety to include ambulance operations, incident management, MCI, air medical, vehicle extrication and hazmat awareness.
• Competently perform the skills and administer medications listed in the Virginia scope of practice for an Advanced EMT provider.

Opportunities for Employment
Opportunities for Intermediates include employment by fire and rescue service providers, hospitals, school systems, industry, ambulance and transportation services, local, state and federal government agencies, humanitarian relief organizations, and the military.

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Program Requirements

Admission to the program will be governed by the requirements for general admission to the College and the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services. Individuals who have a felony conviction may not be eligible to take the certification exam.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age by the beginning of the program pursuant to Section 12VAC5-30-270A.1. of the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health governing Emergency Medical Services.
• Be a high school graduate or have satisfactorily completed the GED.
• Have a current and valid certificate evidencing Emergency Medical Technician certification in Virginia pursuant to Section 12VAC5-30-290 of the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health governing Emergency Medical Services.
• Possess and maintain current CPR certification.

Academic Requirements
Any student receiving a grade of less than “C” in any of the required program courses will be placed on programmatic academic probation. That course shall be remediated once, with a written contract drafted containing the requirements of the remediation. Remediated courses must be completed with a final grade of “C” or better. Dismissal from the program shall result if the student does not meet the requirements of the contract.

Clinical and Behavioral Requirements
Selected and supervised student clinical experience is required by the program and will be accomplished at selected, regional health care facilities. The student is responsible for transportation to these facilities, as well as to any scheduled field trips or combined program classes. Program preceptors will observe and evaluate the student’s aptitude for the profession. If the student does not exhibit those documented behaviors required of the EMS professional, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program.

Selection Process
To be eligible for selection to the program, interested persons should complete the following process by May 15:

• Submit a college admission application.
• Submit an online application to the program (separate document) with required attachments.
• Take the Program Entrance Exam.
• Take the VPT placement test (or submit ASSET, COMPASS, SAT or ACT scores).
• Have transcripts of previous college courses sent to MECC.
• Have high school transcripts sent to MECC.

After May 15th the first round of students will be selected. Selection will be based on previous college coursework, entrance exam score, and college placement reading scores. Should openings still be available, persons who apply or meet requirements after May 15 will be considered.

Other Requirements
In addition to basic college costs such as tuition and fees, this program requires expenditures for uniforms, books, liability insurance, CPR certification, immunizations and physical, testing fees, certification courses and some medical equipment items. Students are also responsible for their own transportation to clinical sites. Applicants accepted to the program are required to submit a health certificate signed by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner and should include documentation of measles, seasonal flu, mumps, Hepatitis B, Rubella (MMR) and chicken pox exposure.

Physical Requirements
This program requires extensive walking, stooping, bending, pushing, pulling, climbing stairs, and lifting. Lifting and carrying requirements: at least 125 pounds; Motor coordination is necessary because over uneven terrain, the patients’, EMTs’, and other workers’ well-being must not be jeopardized. Further, extensive use of sight, hearing, and speaking is required. An EMS provider is faced with many physical and psychological challenges. Please refer to the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services web site for a more detailed functional job description – www.vdh.virginia.gov/oems/training.

Accreditation and State Approval

This program is accredited by the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services and is offered in conjunction with Southwest Virginia and Virginia Highland Community Colleges. The program is also nationally accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 U. S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, phone 727-210-2350.

Licensure	Meets state educational requirements for licensure	Does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure	MECC has not made a determination on licensure reciprocity
NREMT	AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO,  NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY	IL, MT

Sources cited:

For further information regarding EMS certifications, visit nasemso.org.

Statement for Emergency Medical Services (EMS):

Pursuant to United States Department of Education (US DOE) regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), the Mountain Empire Community College Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services Technology program provides the following information for all prospective and current students:

The National Assoc. of EMS Officials (NASEMSO) has ruled EMS provider licensure and certification to be synonymous and National Registry certification is recognized for reciprocity in 48 of our 50 states.

Mountain Empire Community College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).