Emergency Medical Services Program
The Emergency Medical Services Program is designed for students who desire a career in pre-hospital emergency medicine. Our goal is to prepare competent entry-level paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/ or the Emergency Medical Technician and/or the Emergency Medical Responder levels. The program provides the successful student with the theoretical and practical preparation to obtain entry-level positions in the EMS workforce.
There are four levels of EMS training and education: Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced EMT and Paramedics. They are licensed medical professionals who provide emergency medical care to the sick and injured. Students who enroll in the EMS program will pursue a course of study that leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree. EMR is a certification course taken in a continuing education format. EMT is a one-semester course. Advanced EMT training requires an additional semester beyond EMT. Paramedic training is the final three semesters and results in the AAS. Over the last three years, completers in EMS have 100 percent job placement.
EMS courses are taught at the Ayers Campus, the East Broad Campus and Gadsden State Cherokee. Clinical affiliates of the EMS Program are located in Gadsden, Albertville, Altoona, Anniston, Boaz, Centre, Fort Payne, Guntersville, Heflin, Jacksonville, Lineville, Oxford and Piedmont .
The Emergency Medical Services Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs, the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions and the State of Alabama Department of Public Health – Office of Emergency Medical Services.
Background checks will be required upon admission into the program.
A new class is admitted to Emergency Medical Services training every semester. EMT classes start every semester while Advanced EMT classes start in the fall and spring and Medic classes start in the summer. Student selection is based on completion of all requirements:
- Unconditional admission to the college. Apply here.
- Complete a program application prior to the Add/Drop deadline for each semester. Visit or call Bevill Hall on the Wallace Drive Campus to receive an application. Our phone number is 256-549-8689.
- Minimum college / high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Must be in good standing with the College
- Must meet the Essential Functions (see below) required for Emergency Medical Services students.
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen upon admission to the program.
- Submit a completed health questionnaire and immunizations records upon request by the program.
- Demonstrate proof of health insurance or sign up for a temporary health plan via third-party insurance companies. Students who do not show proof of health insurance will not be allowed to attend clinicals.
Essential Functions are the fundamental job duties and skills associated with a particular position. All students are required to read the Essential Functions identified for Emergency Medical Service and determine if they are capable of performing these functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Students must be able to: *
- Have the physical ability to walk, climb, crawl, bend, push, pull or life and balance over less than ideal terrain
- Have good physical stamina, endurance which would not be adversely affected by having to lift, carry and balance in excess of 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance)
- See different color spectrums
- Have good eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity
- Send and receive verbal messages as well as operate appropriate communication equipment
- Collect facts and organize data accordingly
- Communicate clearly both orally and in writing in the English language at the ninth-grade reading level or higher
- Differentiate between normal and abnormal findings in human physical conditions by using visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile observations
- Make good judgment decisions and exhibit problem-solving skills under stressful situations
- Be attentive to detail and aware of standards and rules that govern practice
- Implement therapies based on mathematical calculations
- Possess emotional stability to be able to perform duties in life or death situations
- Handle stress and work well as part of a team
- Be oriented to reality and not be mentally impaired by mind-altering substances
- Not addicted to drugs or alcohol
- Be able to work shifts of 24 hours in length
- Tolerate being exposed to extremes in the environment, including variable aspects of weather, hazardous fumes and nose
- Possess eyesight in a minimum of one eye correctable to 20/20 vision and be able to determine directions according to a map.
* The Americans with Disabilities Act requires colleges and universities to inform students of all performance expectations related to their job and school performance. In accordance with College policy, when requested, reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities.
*EMT Short Term Certificate (12 Credit Hours)
(Offered Fall, Spring, Summer)
| Hour(s) | Course |
|---|---|
| 9 hours | EMS 118 - Emergency Medical Technician |
| 1 hour | EMS 119 - Emergency Medical Technician Clinical |
| 1 hour | EMS 100 - CPR |
| 1 hour | EMS 107 - Emergency Vehicle Operator Course |
*Advanced EMT Short Term Certificate (9 Credit Hours)
(Offered Fall, Spring)
| Hours | Course |
|---|---|
| 7 hours | EMS 155 - Advanced Emergency Medical Technician |
| 2 hours | EMS 156 - Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Clinical |
*Paramedic Short Term Certificate (29 Credit Hours)
(Offered Summer)
| Paramedic Semester 1 (8 hours) | Course |
|---|---|
| 3 hours | EMS 241 - Paramedic Cardiology |
| 2 hours | EMS 242 - Paramedic Patient Assessment |
| 1 hour | EMS 244 - Paramedical Clinical I |
| 2 hours | EMS 257 - Paramedic Applied Pharmacology |
| Paramedic Semester 2 (11 hours) | Course |
|---|---|
| 3 hours | EMS 245 - Paramedic Medical Emergencies |
| 3 hours | EMS 246 - Paramedic Trauma Management |
| 2 hours | EMS 247 - Paramedic Special Populations |
| 3 hours | EMS 248 - Paramedic Clinical II |
| Paramedic Semester 3 (10 hours) | Course |
|---|---|
| 2 hours | EMS 253 - Paramedic Transition to the Workforce |
| 2 hours | EMS 254 - Advanced Competencies for the Paramedic |
| 5 hours | EMS 255 - Paramedic Field Preceptorship |
| 1 hour | EMS 256 - Paramedic Team Leadership |
*AAS Degree in Emergency Medical Services (65-74 Total Credit Hours)
All of the classes above plus:
| Hour(s) | Course |
|---|---|
| 4 hours | BIO 201 or 271 - Human Anatomy and Physiology |
| 4 hours | BIO 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
| 3 hours |
ENG 101 - English Composition I |
| 3 hours | Fine Arts elective |
| 3 hours | MTH 100 - Intermediate College Algebra |
| 1 hour | ORI 101 - Orientation to College |
| 3 hours | PSY 200 - General Psychology |
*(ACCUPLACER Reading Score of 75, Equivalent ACT, or ENG 101 required for program entry at any level)
*(Classes must have 12 students to make for the semester)
The State of Alabama created the Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Reimbursement Program (Act 2018-524) in 2018. The legislation allows for students who obtain their EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic certification from an Alabama Community College to be reimbursed their tuition costs for the training.
In order to qualify for the Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Program, the applicant must commit - and show verification of a commitment - to at least three years of service to a volunteer fire or rescue squad. Volunteering as an EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic increases the worker's experience and helps local communities.
How it works
- Student submits program agreement and documents to ACCS
- ACCS reviews packet and if complete, issues reimbursement* to College
- College disburses reimbursement to student
*All funding is based on availability.
To enter the program you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be cleared through an EMS advisor.
- First apply online and be accepted into Gadsden State Community College.
- Complete an EMS Program application after speaking with an EMS advisor.
Registration is handled through the EMS Program office: 256-549-8689
- EMT classes meet during the evening hours at the Gadsden, Ayers, and Cherokee campuses when student enrollment is sufficient.
- Advanced EMT classes are shift-based at the Gadsden, Ayers, and Cherokee campuses when student enrollment is sufficient.
- Paramedic classes are shift-based at the Gadsden, Ayers, and Cherokee campuses when student enrollment is sufficient.
- EMT’s meet Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.
- Advanced EMT’s vary by semester. We offer a shift-based option.
- Paramedic schedules vary by semester. We offer a shift-based option.
- No, you first start in the one (1) semester EMT program consisting of twelve (12) semester hours.
- After completion, you will test National Registry and upon passing you apply for your Alabama state license.
- The next step is Advanced EMT which is also a one (1) semester program.
- After completion, you will test National Registry and upon passing you apply for your Alabama state license.
- Your next step is the three (3) semester Paramedic program.
- Before beginning clinicals in Advanced EMT or Paramedic, you will have to be licensed at the EMT level with the State of Alabama.
No, you must have BLS for the Health Care Provider from the American Heart Association, which is offered through our program.
Yes, orientation is usually completed in class on the first day of class.
Yes, you will purchase your monogrammed shirts. The shirts vary in color by level (blue, gray, red). The remaining uniform consists of black BDU pants, black t-shirt, black boots and black belt. These can all be purchased or charged to financial aid at our bookstore in the One-Stop Center.
Most ambulance services operate on 24 hour shifts designated A, B, and C. When we teach on a shift-based schedule, which means we go to school at a certain time only on one of the 3 shifts; basically every third day.
The Emergency Medical Services Program is accredited by:
The Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP)
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org
Website: caahep.org
The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088
Phone: 214-703-8445
Website: coaemsp.org
Alabama Department of Public Health - Office of EMS
208 Legends Court, Prattville, Alabama 36066
Phone: (334) 290-3088
Fax: (334) 206-0364
Website: www.alabamapublichealth.gov/ems/index.html
CONTACT:
John Hollingsworth MS, NRP EMS Program Director
256-549-8654
jhollingsworth@gadsdenstate.edu