Emergency Medical Services Technology, AS

Admission

The Emergency Medical Services Technology program is a selective admission program. Candidates must meet the admission requirements listed below.

All persons seeking admission to the A.A.S. Degree Program in Emergency Medical Services Technology:

1. Must be fully admitted to BridgeValley Community and Technical College. This includes the submission of ACT or SAT I scores, official high school transcripts or GED score reports, and official transcripts from all previous colleges attended to the Admissions Office.
2. Must also submit an EMST Program application to the EMST Program by October 1 preceding the spring admission. These applications are available on the website, www.bridgevalley.edu. Official copies of transcripts must accompany application to the EMST Program; however, an official BVCTC transcript listing all previous college credit is acceptable.
3. Must have a current, valid West Virginia EMT certification.
4. Must take the FISDAP Paramedic Entrance Exam and score a minimum of 70.0 in each scored area.

High School Applicants (or those with less than 12 college credit hours):

1. Must have a minimum of a 3.0 High School grade point average (GPA) or GED with 45 on all sub-scores.
2. Must have a minimum ACT composite score of 21 with a minimum score of 19 in all sub-scores or 1000 SAT I with 490 verbal and 480 math sub-scores.

College Applicants (with 12 or more credit hours):

1. Must have a minimum of a 2.50 cumulative GPA on all previous college credits.
2. Must be eligible for MATH 111  or MATH 113 .

Students should be aware that clinical agencies require students to pass a criminal background check and drug screen in order to have learning experiences in their facilities. This will require a criminal and traffic violation check. Other additional admission requirements, such as a screening interview, may be required. All students admitted must meet and be able to perform the Technical Standards of the Program.

Program Description

A graduate of this program will be able to function in the world of pre-hospital medicine as an entry level paramedic. The subjects in this course range from report writing to advanced emergency vehicle operations and all points in between. Students are taught all aspects of pre-hospital care including: advanced airway adjuncts and management, emergency cardiology, traumatic life support, newborn and pediatric advanced life support, and many other skills.

Program Goals and Objectives

1. Recognize, assess, reassess, modify, and safely manage the scene of a medical emergency incident as a certified paramedic team leader.
2. Provide clinically competent pre-hospital care to the ill or injured to patients across the lifespan by utilizing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities according to established regional or state guidelines.
3. Master skills and concepts essential to the operation of EMS systems and other agencies.
4. Document and communicate effectively the appropriate relevant information to the receiving facility.
5. Demonstrate empathy for values and perspectives of diverse cultures and the desire to serve as a patient advocate.
6. Demonstrate personal behavior consistent with professional and employer expectations for the EMS Technician.

Program Assessment

Program evaluation demonstrates that students and graduates have achieved the student learning outcomes, program outcomes, and role-specific competencies. To ensure accreditation standards are met, the program has a Plan of Program Evaluation in place that is shared with communities of interest. Specifically, the PPE evaluates performance on the exam, program completion, graduate program satisfaction, employer program satisfaction, and job placement rates.

Other Information:

A separate application is required for admission to the EMST program. Information regarding the application process can be found on www.bridgevalley.edu/programs-study. Students must meet eligibility requirements including drug screening, background check, and technical standards.

The science course (BIOL 210 ) must be taken within five years of admission. Once admitted into the EMST program, students have one academic year for completion. A valid WV E.M.T. must be possessed prior to entry into the program.

Careers:

Paramedics are best defined as medical professionals who provide medical care at an advanced life support level in the pre-hospital environment, usually in an emergency, at the point of illness or injury. This includes an initial assessment, a diagnosis and a treatment plan to manage the patient’s particular health crisis. Treatment can also be continued en route to a hospital if more definitive care for the patient is required. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as cycle response. Paramedics provide out-of-hospital treatment and some diagnostic services, although some may undertake hospital-based roles, such as in the treatment of injuries.