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Florida Community College programs of study

Associate in Science/Associate in Applied Science

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (2251)

THE CAREER: An emergency medical services system consists of many different components. Paramedic is the advanced level for work in the EMS field. Paramedics provide advanced life support and transportation for the sick and injured. Attainment of the EMS degree may help the graduate in career advancement opportunities.

THE PROGRAM: This limited access A.S. or A.A.S. degree program in EMS is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and is a combination of general education and EMS courses. Graduates of the program are prepared to function as entry-level paramedics. Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded an associate in science degree in EMS and are eligible to apply to sit for the Florida state board exam to qualify for certification as a paramedic in the state of Florida. The EMS field requires specific physical capabilities, please contact any disabled student services office if you have specific questions.

Most students complete the EMT technical certificate and paramedic technical certificate programs first and then pursue the additional general education courses required for the A.S. or A.A.S. degree. Non-degree seeking students may refer to the paramedic technical certificate program (6394).

THIS IS A SELECTIVE ACCESS PROGRAM.

Expected Job Growth: Much faster than average, according to the Department of Labor.

Starting Salary: $28,000


Certification and Licensing
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the Florida State Board or National Registry exams.



Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions, 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas 76021 (817.283.9403) and the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850.245.4440).

Application Procedure

Emergency medical services (EMS) technology courses must be taken in sequence with the designated prerequisite and corequisite courses. A grade point average of 2.0 must be earned in each professional core course, BSC 2010C and BSC 2020C.

PREREQUISITES: Prior to being admitted to the program an applicant must complete:

  • EMS 1059 First Responders: Emergency Care Training
  • EMS 1119 Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care
  • EMS 1401 Fundamentals of Emergency Medical
  • Care Clinical Experience
  • ***BSC 2010C Principles of Biology I

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: EMS is a selective access program and continuance in the program is limited and based upon academic performance and other criteria. A brochure outlining costs, requirements, deadlines and procedures is available from the EMS department, North Campus.

Minimum requirements that must be met for consideration for acceptance to the EMS program are as follows:

  1. All applicants for admission to this program must be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Students must have earned a high school diploma or equivalency degree.
  3. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. (Contact the EMS office for application deadline.)
  4. Applicants must document all eligibility requirements:
    1. Florida Community College student number and classification as degree-seeking (NOTE: EMT and paramedic programs require degree-seeking status.)
    2. Notarized character statement
    3. Florida EMT certification or board eligible (Applicants must pass the first exam they are eligible for or they will be dropped from the program.)
    4. Current HCP-BLS card
    5. Satisfactory scores on all portions of admission test or successful completion of required prep courses
    6. Proof of PIP car insurance
    7. Copy of driver’s license
  5. CPTS will have to be taken by those students not having a grade for EMT. Applicants will be ranked according to the quality points earned in EMT. (Quality points are calculated by multiplying the credit hour value of the class by the grade factor, A=4, B=3, C=2.) Students who do not have grades for EMT will receive quality points based on their CPTS score. These CPTS scores will not replace placement results that were determined by other testing options.
  6. Applicants who document recent work experience as EMTs (minimum six months full-time at time of application) will receive three points per year up to a maximum of nine points. This will be the applicant’s responsibility to provide this documentation.
  7. The top 24 ranked students will be notified by mail of their acceptance into the program and will be notified of the special registration requirements of the program. Those accepted who fail to register and pay for their classes at the designated time will forfeit acceptance into the class. In case of forfeiture, the next highest ranked student will be notified of acceptance.

Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of childhood immunizations. Hepatitis B vaccination is strongly recommended. Health insurance must be maintained throughout clinical training. Contact program chairperson for additional information.

Curriculum

General Education Courses
ENC 1101 English Composition I (3)
***BSC 2010C Principles of Biology I (4)
*Humanities (3)
MAC 1105 College Algebra (3)
PSY 1012 General Psychology (3)

Credit hours: 16

Professional Courses
**EMS 1059 First Responders: Emergency Care Training (2)
EMS 1119 Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care (6)
EMS 1401 Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care Clinical Experience (3)
***BSC 2020C Human Biology (4)
EMS 2611 Paramedic Module I, Preparatory (4)
EMS 2611L Paramedic ModuleI, Pharmacology Lab (2)
EMS 2612L Paramedic Module II, Airway (1)
EMS 2613L Paramedic Module III, Patient Assessment (3)
EMS 2666 Paramedic Clinical I (3)
EMS 2614 Paramedic Module IV, Trauma (2)
EMS 2615 Paramedic Module V, Medical (6)
EMS 2615L Paramedic Module V, Medical Lab (3)
EMS 2667 Paramedic Clinical II (3)
EMS 2616 Paramedic Module VI, Special Considerations (3)
EMS 2617L Paramedic Module VII, Assessment Based Lab (2)
EMS 2618L Paramedic Module VIII, Operations Lab (1)
EMS 2668 Paramedic Clinical III (2)
EMS 2659 Paramedic Field Internship (3)

Credit hours: 53

Professional Electives
CTS 1101 Introduction to Windows (1)
CGS 1570 Microcomputer Applications (3)
  and
(Select one from the following:)
EMS 2761 Emergency Medical Services Education (3)
EMS 2311 Management of Emergency Medical Services (3)

Credit hours: 4

Total Credit Hours: 73

*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.
**Students who have successfully completed HCP 0001 health care core may substitute the core for EMS 1059.
***BSC 2085C and BSC 2086C may be substituted for BSC 2010C and BSC 2020C. Students who have completed BSC 2085C prior to entering the paramedic program should take BSC 2086C during the first semester of the paramedic program.
***The BSC 2010C prerequisite has been waived for students enrolled in the Funeral Services, Emergency Medical Services and Pharmacy Technician programs.

Notes
The EMS field requires specific physical capabilities, please contact any disabled student services office if you have specific questions.

Note: You have two options in this program: the associate in science (A.S.) degree, which can prepare you for employment or transfer to a state university, and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree, which is intended primarily for students who want immediate employment after graduation. If you choose the A.S. degree you must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics. The A.A.S. degree requires MAT 1033 or higher. Please see an advisor to determine the option that is best for you.

Clinical agencies may require students to undergo drug screening and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Cost
Estimated tuition is $4,400 (for Florida residents as of 7/04). Estimated cost of books, materials and fees is $850.

 


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