EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Extended Degree Program - Associate in Applied Science (EMS.APP)

The Emergency Medical Services Program (EMS) leads to one of three levels of certificates or an Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services or Firefighter/Paramedic Technology. Firefighter/Paramedic Technology is an extended degree program in that the student must complete a minimum of 73 or more required credit hours.

   These programs are directed towards individuals engaged in the delivery of pre-hospital emergency medical care and to prepare the student to pass the National Registry certification written and practical exams at the Basic, Intermediate (Specialist), and Paramedic levels. Lecture, classroom demonstrations, skills practice, case studies, and actual hands on experience based on State and National standards provide the basis for the instruction. The program will provide a thorough presentation of the role of the Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic, and stresses the recognition of abnormal conditions through analysis of assessment findings and appropriate management for patients with illness or injury at the scene or during transport to a medical facility. The EMS program has options available to meet the student’s individual needs for a career in the Emergency Medical Services field or in the municipal fire service.

   Students must first be admitted to the college and designate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as their major. Admission to the college does not automatically include admission to the EMS Program and/or Fire Academy. Additionally, all students must attend an orientation session and will then be given the information needed to enroll in the EMS program.

Basic EMS program admission requirements:

1. Acceptance by the college through OCC application completion
2. High school graduation, GED, or EMS Staff approval
3. Have accessibility to internet service and printing capabilities
4. Attend an Emergency Medical Services orientation session, fill out an application to the EMS program, and pass a criminal background investigation and drug test.
5. Be at least 18 years of age by completion date for Basic EMT certification or obtain EMS staff approval
6. Be free of any handicaps or disabilities that could affect his/her ability to deliver prompt and efficient care to the sick and injured
7. Provide all required documentation to the EMS program staff of good physical and mental health signed by a physician, and all other forms and waivers associated with the program.

Paramedic program requirements:

• High school graduation or GED
• Be accepted by the college through OCC application completion.
• Have accessibility to internet service and printing capabilities .
• Have attended and successfully passed an accredited Basic EMT program.
• Attend an orientation session, fill out an application for admission to the program, and pass a criminal background investigation and drug test as stated below.
• Be free of any handicaps or disabilities that could affect his/her ability to deliver prompt and efficient care to the sick and injured
• Provide adequate documentation to the EMS Program staff of good physical and mental health signed by a physician, and all other forms and waivers associated with the program.
• Minimum Math COMPASS score of 21 or higher.
• Placement into ENG 1510 or higher; or successful completion of ENG 1510 (or equivalent) with a GPA of 2.0 or better.
• Completion of BIO 2630, BIO 2640 and BIO 2250 with a GPA of 2.0 (grade of C) or better in each class. All provisions of the program will be explained at the orientation session prior to enrollment to the program. In addition to tuition, Emergency Medical Services students incur extra costs such as health examinations, inoculations, uniforms, supplies, and licensure application.

   A criminal history check and drug screen are required on all students entering the program. Exclusionary factors will include 1) Conviction of a felony or conviction of an attempt to commit a felony within the last 15 years immediately preceding the date of the criminal history check; or 2) conviction of a misdemeanor involving abuse, neglect, assault, battery, or criminal sexual conduct, or involving fraud or theft against a vulnerable adult, within ten years immediately preceding the criminal history check. Additionally, students will be required to pass a drug screen as part of their orientation process. Students in the EMS programs must achieve a minimum grade of 2.7 for each EMS course in order to be eligible for EMS program certificates, EMS related degree, or to advance to the next level EMS courses. For additional details, please contact the EMS Program at 248.232.4090.