EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN - BASIC

The following course of study is designed to provide the student with the foundation needed for competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Persons interested in the field of Emergency Medical Services should begin and successfully complete a study of traumatic and medical emergencies in this program. The student will be educated toward the goal of becoming an integral part of the health care team in the overall health care system to reduce mortality and morbidity of the general population. Competency will be obtained by successfully passing inclass examinations, laboratory application, actual clinical experience as well as application and outcome assessment for the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains. In order to become licensed in the State of Tennessee the student must successfully complete the Southwest Tennessee Community College Basic Emergency Medical Technology Program, pass an EMT program comprehensive exam, pass the National Registry Exam for EMT and apply for Tennessee Licensure as a Basic Emergency Medical Technician. Current Tennessee Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licensure or eligibility for licensure is required before entry into the paramedic program. The program is approved by the Emergency Medical Services Board (EMS) Division, Tennessee Department of Health and Environment.

Admissions Requirements

The admission requirements for this course of study are the same as the school’s requirement for entry into a technical certificate program. In addition the student must be able to speak English and have no felony convictions. Students must show eligibility for college level English by meeting college level placement requirements (ACT score, qualifying GPA or qualifying COMPASS score). Students not meeting college level placement requirements must successfully complete appropriate developmental courses, as well as take and pass the Academic Success class. Once these requirements are met, students will apply and be enrolled in the BASIC EMT course on a space available basis. Students will be subject to criminal background checks, drug testing and testing for communicable diseases.

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Retention Policy

Students must comply with the following retention policy established by the EMS Division, Tennessee Department of Health and Environment, Tennessee EMS. Board or Southwest Tennessee Community College Emergency Medical Technology Program.

1. Complete and return all required forms and documents.
2. Successfully complete all competencies as defined by the EMS program standards.
3. Demonstrate proficiency using skills acquired during training which verify capabilities in emergency care.
4. Attend all classes, on time, and in compliance with all program rules and regulations.
5. Meet all standards requested by the instructor and department head.
6. Maintain a GPA of 2.0 in all EMT courses.
7. A grade of "D" or lower is not acceptable for State Exam requirements.
8. Have no felony convictions.
9. Must have medical clearance by an M.D. to perform as an Emergency Medical Technician.
10. Meet all standards as required by the Tennessee EMS Board.
11. Must pass a program comprehensive exam before taking national registry written exam. Students will have one semester beyond the last day of classes of the final semester of their Basic EMT program to pass the program comprehensive exam. If the student does not pass the program comprehensive exam within that time frame, the student will be required to repeat the entire program. The time frame will begin from the last day of the Southwest Tennessee Community College schedule for last day of classes. Comprehensive exam times and dates are given at the discretion of the program director.
12. Students will have ONE SEMESTER BEYOND THE SCHOOL SEMESTER SCHEDULED COMPLETION TIME to finish the program before repeating the entire sequence.
13. Due to the lack of clinical spaces, students may have to successfully perform procedures on each other including invasive techniques before being deemed competent in those skills.
14. Students will be required to pay licensure fees and testing fees for their licensure exam. Students will have two years beyond their date of completion to become licensed in the State of Tennessee. Date of completion will be successful completion of their Basic EMT Program.
15. Students are not allowed to transfer to other Instructors in the two semester sequence unless extenuating circumstances exist or receive permission in writing from the Program Director of the Emergency Medical Technology Program. Students must pass the COMPASS exam in the areas of Reading and Writing. The student must be ready for College Level English. Failure of either component of Reading or Writing will result in the student being required to take the College Level Remediation classes for those areas along with the Academic Success Class.
16. Students will be required to wear a class uniform.
17. Students must have a working Southwest e-mail account and check it daily.

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Course Sequence

[First Semester] [Second Semester] [Fast-Track]

Total Credit Hours 17

Or

Total Credit Hours 17

Note: It is recommended that the student registering for EMT 1060 should have completed some college courses, have scored at least 20 on the ACT, and/or have experience in health care.

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Malpractice Insurance

Students are required to obtain malpractice insurance for participation in the EMT program. Malpractice insurance should be good for one year and purchased at the beginning of EMT 1040.

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Program Costs

In addition to tuition and lab fees, students may have additional costs ranging from $400 to $1000 to include uniforms, duty shoes, physical examinations, laboratory tests, immunizations, graduation, certification and licensure fees.

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Learn more about our graduation rates, placement rates, program costs and other important information.