Emergency Medical Technician

Emergency Medical Technician 

Certificate of Completion: 29 credits. Advising Guide 

Career Description

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are unique health care professionals that are categorized in a variety of ways beginning at the First Responder level and progressing to the highest EMS level, Paramedic. They provide critical advanced medical care and transportation in out-of-hospital settings with physician oversight. Emergency Medical Services are a component of the overall health care system, delivering care as part of a system intended to attenuate the morbidity and mortality associated with sudden illnesses and injury.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) have an entry-level knowledge and training in basic life support measures and providing out-of-hospital medical care to those with perceived urgent needs as well as non-urgent calls for service.  EMTs are able to begin on-scene treatment while awaiting the arrival of a paramedic. All levels of EMT’s must be able to exercise considerable judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills while providing care to the patient in any setting in which they became ill or injured. EMT’s function in both volunteer and paid roles.

Licensure Disclosures

In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education and the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) for participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) provides information pertaining to professional licensure in correlation with appropriate CGCC programs. For information specific to the Emergency Medical Technician certificate, please review the Professional Licensure Disclosure information web page.

Course of Study

The 29 credit Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate is a first step in the educational ladder to becoming a licensed paramedic. The certificate prepares graduates to enter the field as EMTs; however, for those interested in continuing their education to earn a degree in paramedicine, the certificate also fulfills many of the prerequisite requirements needed to enter a Paramedic program. The EMT certificate is recognized statewide and the coursework is transferable between all community colleges where they are offered in Oregon. 

CGCC, in cooperation with Chemeketa Community College (CCC), offers a seamless path to paramedic licensure that can be completed while still in the Columbia River Gorge. Following their completion of first year coursework at CGCC, students then transition into CCC's Paramedic Program - delivered on-site at CGCC - allowing students to stay local while earning a respected credential and preparing for licensure. Some clinical experiences may require travel, depending on program requirements.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

1. Effectively assess patients and make critical decisions in a variety of settings at an EMT entry-level.
2. Competently treat, extricate, and transport patients in a variety of settings at an EMT entry-level.
3. Apply for positions as EMTs with ambulance services either paid or volunteer.
4. Effectively communicate, interact and work appropriately with patients and their family, fellow emergency workers, hospital health care providers, and supervisors.
5. Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior as an EMS health care provider.
6. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary to sit for the state and National Registry EMT exams.

Prerequisites

• MTH 65 Beginning Algebra (4 credits) or equivalent placement
• WR 115 Introduction to Expository Writing (4 credits) or equivalent placement
• Current HCP CPR card
• Valid Driver's License