Emergency Medical Services Program

Corinth Campus

The Emergency Medical Services Program is designed to give the student a well-rounded education for a professional career in emergency medicine. The Department of State Health Services has approved the program. There is one certificate and one-degree track offered to meet the student’s desire for certification or licensure. Levels of EMS certification are:

1. Emergency Medical Technician
2. Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic
3. RN to Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic

Courses are taught through lecture, case study skills, written assignments, skills demonstrations, and hands-on training. Clinical experiences and Internships are completed through area hospitals and EMS/fire departments.

Following successful completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Describe the scope of paramedic practice within local, state and national parameters.
2. Demonstrate the desirable qualities of an EMS provider that contribute to high professional and ethical standards.
3. Recognize, assess and manage medical and traumatic emergencies while establishing priorities under the appropriate medical control. Procedures will include physical assessment, extrication, basic life support, airway control and ventilation, fluid resuscitation, drug therapy, emergency delivery, cardiac monitoring and electrical intervention, psychological support and other forms of basic and advanced life support.
4. Coordinate scene management, patient care, and transportation with other agencies.
5. Establish rapport with first responders, agencies, patient’s family members, and staff of receiving hospitals.
6. Concisely document through written and oral communications, events relative to the provision of emergency care.
7. In the event of contingencies, exercise personal judgment that is sound and appropriate for the situation.

Admission Process

Qualifications : To be eligible to enroll in the EMS Program, the applicant must show proof of the following at the time of registration:

1. Be at least 18 years of age to sit for certification.
2. Be a high school graduate or have passed the GED test;
3. Be physically able to handle patients and equipment normally used in EMS;

To Apply : Prospective students should obtain a program information packet from the EMS Program and follow the instructions in the packet for securing admission to the EMS Program or on the NCTC EMS website. The following will be submitted to the EMS Program:

1. Application for Admission to NCTC
2. Application to the EMS Program
3. High school transcripts
4. College transcripts
5. Current state or national EMS certifications and current medically related certificates of completion
6. Complete physical which includes a drug screen and immunizations
7. Carry a current Health Care Provider CPR card or equivalent.
8. Must have current medical insurance

Program Acceptance

At the EMT level, students are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Due to the large volume of students for limited positions within the EMS Program, a priority acceptance ranking is based upon (1) current enrollment in the EMT program and (2) all other applicants.

Progression

To progress through the EMS Program, the student must maintain a “C” average or above. Any student who has an interruption in the normal progression of his/her EMS training may reapply for readmission to the EMS Program through the department program coordinator. Time limitations are determined by department policy and are available by request. Readmission application does not guarantee applicant will receive acceptance into the program.

Advanced Standing Courses and Transfer Credit

Nationally registered EMTs must petition the Department of State Health Services, EMS Division to transfer their certification to the State of Texas.

Paramedics Seeking an Associate Degree

Texas or nationally certified paramedics trained at a school other than North Central Texas College may apply for the Associate of Applied Science degree. Application procedures, entrance requirements, credit for certifications, and other requirements are available upon request.

RN to Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMSP 2553 and EMSP 2563)

Qualifications : To be eligible to enroll in the RN to Paramedic program, the applicant must show proof of the following at the time of registration.

1. Candidate must have a least 36 months of experience in ICU, CCU, or ER.
2. Must have a current ACLS card.
3. Hold a License to practice in the state of Texas (RRT, RN, PA).
4. Completed an Associates or Bachelors Degree.
5. Have a complete physical which includes: drug screen and immunizations.
6. Must have current medical insurance

Students must successfully complete the following by the end of the course to be eligible to test with National Registry on the Paramedic level.

1. Complete an Internship
2. Successfully complete the National Registry EMT exam

During the course, the student will test with the National Registry at the EMT level. This exam must be completed by midterm. At the completion of the course, the student is eligible to test with National Registry at the Paramedic level, provided the student has completed and passed their EMT testing. It is highly recommended for the student to complete an EMT-Basic course before taking the RN Bridge course.

Grading Policy

Grades in the EMS Program are determined by theory, writing assignments, skills performance, Internet assignments, written exams and clinical practice. At the completion of each EMSP course, the student must have a department average and Final Exam Grade of 75% or above to complete course work. Letter grades are assigned based on the following scale:

A = 91-100% • B = 82-90% • C = 75-81%

D = 66-74% • F = 0-65%

Cost Considerations for EMS Students

Summary of Costs : The total per-semester cost of enrolling in the EMS Program at North Central Texas College is the sum of: (1) tuition: (2) “combined student fees”; (3) laboratory fees; (4) textbooks; and (5) supplies and incidentals. Except for item 5, charges are figured just as they are for all other students. However, EMS students should be aware that due to the special nature of the program, expenses in categories 3-5 will probably be considerably higher than those paid by students in most other majors.

Laboratory Fees : These are extra fees charged for all courses requiring a lab (in addition to the classroom lecture). For EMS students, a lab fee of $24 will be charged for each clinical course and courses with a skills component. Lab fees for other non-EMS science courses are normally $24.

Textbooks : EMS textbooks are highly specialized and can be expensive, as much as $300 or more in the first semester of Paramedicine. Keep in mind that the EMS program is an integrated course of study, meaning you will buy most of your EMS books the first semester. Therefore, book costs will be considerably less in the later semesters.

Supplies and Incidentals : Once admitted to the EMS Program, students will need to buy classroom uniforms, clinical uniforms, patches, stethoscope, pen light and trauma shears. A good wristwatch with a second hand is essential. Also, the student will need normal school supplies, and other costs that will include such items as major medical insurance, physical examination (including immunizations), Hepatitis B vaccine, CPR training, Drug Testing, Graduation fees and National Registry Examination fee as well as, the Department of State Health Services State Examination fee. An additional fee for malpractice insurance and National Registry Site fee will be added to the tuition/fees bill. Additional costs may include meals while attending clinicals and Internship. Some of these expenses will not be incurred until the latter part of the program.

NOTE: All tuition rates, fees and other elements of expense for attending North Central Texas College are subject to change by the NCTC Board of Regents.

Graduation

Students are granted an Associate of Applied Science degree or Certificate in Paramedicine after successful completion of the prescribed curriculum within the EMS Program.

Eligible students completing certification or degree coursework will receive a Certificate of Course Completion necessary to take the Texas Department of State Health Services State Examination and the National Registry Examination. EMTs and EMT–Ps will be required to take both examinations to become a certified EMT or a certified / licensed Paramedic in the state of Texas.

Certificate of Completion/Associate of Applied Science Degree

All course work to be applied toward certification or the Associate of Applied Science degree must be completed with a grade of “C” or above. Students should consult a department representative to file a certificate or degree plan.

Students must be a current certified EMT to begin the EMT-P Certificate Program.