Career and Technical Studies
Degree
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services Technology
Length
Five-semester (two-year) program.
Purpose

The purpose of this curriculum is to produce competent entry-level Paramedics who can provide the highest level of out-of-hospital care.  Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible for National Registry testing and certification.  This credential leads to Paramedic licensure or certification in Virginia and most other states. 

THIS PROGRAM IS OFFERED IN COOPERATION WITH SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE.  DEGREE AWARDED BY SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE. 

Requirements

Program Requirements: Prior to the starting program courses, the applicant must:

  1.  Meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by the Virginia Office of EMS, https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/education-certification/how-to-become-an-emergency-medical-services-provider-in-virginia/ and
  2. Meet the college’s general admission requirements.

Program Goal:  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 Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.

Program Learning Outcomes:  Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  • Perform current techniques in pre-hospital emergency care to include signs and symptoms of illness, injuries, medical emergencies, appropriate medical techniques, and ambulance operations.
  • Assess, extricate, and care for victims of trauma incidents utilizing the following management skills; scene size-up, disentanglement, victim stabilization for single and multi-victim situations, hazardous materials incidents, integration of local emergency medical services (EMS) for patient assessment and management, and standard operating procedures.
  • Describe the basic pharmacological background and actions of drugs, regulations, human body systems, pharmacokinetics, and drug calculations.
  • Demonstrate the advanced life support skills approach to emergency care of the emotionally disturbed to include emotional aspects, approach to the patient, psychiatric emergencies and techniques of management.
  • Perform an advanced physical assessment on an emergency patient to include the physical exam, integrative and on-going exams, and communicate/document the findings to the patient and others.
  • Perform a pediatric assessment, manage airway and respiratory emergencies, cardiovascular emergencies, neonatal emergencies, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Treat children with special healthcare needs.
  • Recognize and intervene in medical emergencies related to toxicology, hazardous materials, infectious disease, and hematology. Include poisoning, drug overdose, and transmission of infectious diseases.
  • Identify pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for the patient with cardiovascular disease/injury based on 3-lead and 12-lead cardiac monitoring and interpretation. Define cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, cardiovascular pathologies and management, and adjunctive diagnostics.
  • Utilize assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for obstetric, neonatal, pediatric, geriatric, and chronic-care patients.

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities for paramedics are available with ambulance; fire and rescue services; hospitals; local, state and federal government agencies.

Accreditation

The Southwest Virginia Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). 

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 
Seminole, FL 33775 
727-210-2350 
www.caahep.org 

To contact the CoAEMSP: 
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312 
Rowlett, TX 75088 
214-703-8445
Fax: 214-703-8992 
www.coaemsp.org 

 

Licensure

Meets state educational requirements for licensure

Does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure

NREMT
 

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO,  NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

IL, MT
 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Sources cited:  Further information regarding EMS certifications may be found at:  https://nasemso.org/

Statement for Emergency Medical Services (EMS):

Pursuant to United States Department of Education (US DOE) regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), the Virginia Highlands Community College Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services Technology program provides the following information for all prospective and current students:

The National Assoc. of EMS Officials (NASEMSO) has ruled EMS provider licensure and certification to be synonymous and National Registry certification is recognized for reciprocity in 48 of our 50 states.

Virginia Highlands Community College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Selection Requirements:  To be eligible for selection to the program, interested persons should complete the following process by May 15:

  1. Submit a college admission application
  2. Submit an application to the program (separate document) with required attachments.
  3. Have transcripts of previous college courses sent to the college.

At that time the first round of students will be selected. Should openings still be available, persons who apply or meet requirements after May 15 will be considered.

Accreditation:  This program is accredited nationally by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL, 33763, phone 727.210.2350.

Physical Requirements:  An EMS provider is faced with many physical and psychological challenges. Please refer to the Virginia Office of EMS website for a more detailed functional job description.

Academic Requirements:  Students must make a “C” or better in all program cores courses. Any student receiving a grade less than “C” will be placed on programmatic academic probation. That course shall be remediated. Remediated course must be completed with a final grade of “C” or better.

Clinical and Behavioral Requirements:  Selected and supervised student experience is required by the program and will be accomplished at selected, regional health care facilities. The student is responsible for transportation to these facilities, as well as to any scheduled field trips. Program preceptors will observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for the profession. If the student does not exhibit those documented behaviors required of the EMS professional, the student might be asked to withdraw from the program.

Other Requirements:  Applicants accepted to the program are required to submit a health certificate signed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant or RNP and should include documentation of measles, mumps, Rubella (MMR) and chicken pox exposure or inoculations; documentation of Hepatitis B inoculation; Tuberculosis testing; and overall general health of the applicant. A criminal background check and drug screening is also done to confirm compliance with state regulations.

The purchase of items such as uniforms, liability insurance and other accessories is the financial responsibility of the individual student. Students who elect to take support courses recommended by the Program Director prior to formal acceptance into the program will find this activity to be advantageous in subsequent course scheduling.

Program Director:  Bill Akers Jr., MS, NRP, Program Director 276.964.7729 bill.akers@sw.edu

Please see the CoAEMSP Outcomes Summary 1-2020 For program pass rates, retention and job placement.

First Semester

Course # Course Title Lect. Hrs. Lab Hrs. Credits Transfer
BIO 145 1 3 4 4
EMS 100 1
EMS 111 5 4 7
EMS 120 0 2 1
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester 8 10 12  

Second Semester

Course # Course Title Lect. Hrs. Lab Hrs. Credits Transfer
EMS 121 Preparatory Foundations 2
EMS 123 EMS Clinical Preparation 1
EMS 125 Basic Pharmacology 1
EMS 126 Basic Pharmacology Lab 1
EMS 127 Airway, Shock and Resuscitation 1
EMS 128 Airway, Shock and Resuscitation Lab 1
EMS 135 Emergency Medical Care 2
EMS 136 Emergency Medical Care Lab 1
EMS 137 Trauma Care 1
EMS 138 Trauma Care Lab 1
SDV 100 3 1 0 1
Virginias Public Colleges & Universities
Radford University
UNIV 100 elective
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester 1 0 13  

Third Semester

Course # Course Title Lect. Hrs. Lab Hrs. Credits Transfer
EMS 137 Trauma Care 1 0 1
EMS 138 Trauma Care Lab 0 2 1
EMS 139 Special Populations 1 0 1
EMS 140 Special Populations Lab 0 2 1
EMS 170 ALS Internship I 0 3 1
EMS 175 Paramedic Clinical Experience 0 6 2
ENG 111 3 0 3
Virginias Public Colleges & Universities
Virginia Tech
ENGL 1105
Radford University
CORE 101
Old Dominion University
ENGL 110C
Virginias Private Colleges & Universities
Bluefield College
ENG 1013/1023, GEN ED
Liberty University
ENGL 101
Emory & Henry College
ENG 100
PSY 230 3 3 0 3
Virginias Public Colleges & Universities
Virginia Tech
PSYC 2034
Radford University
PSYC 230
Old Dominion University
PSYC 203S
Virginias Private Colleges & Universities
Bluefield College
PSY 2043
Liberty University
PSYC 210
Emory & Henry College
Elective Credit
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester 8 13 13  

Fourth Semester

Course # Course Title Lect. Hrs. Lab Hrs. Credits Transfer
EMS 202 Paramedic Pharmacology 2 0 2
EMS 203 Advanced Patient Care 2
EMS 204 Advanced Patient Care Lab 2
EMS 206 Pathophysiology for Health Professions 3
EMS 247 Paramedic Clinical Experience II 1
EMS 248 Paramedic Comprehensive Field Experience 2
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester 2 0 12  

Fifth Semester

Course # Course Title Lect. Hrs. Lab Hrs. Credits Transfer
EMS 210 EMS Operations 0 2 1
EMS 163 Prehospital Trauma Life Support 1
EMS 164 Advanced Medical Life Support 1
EMS 165 Advanced Cardiac Life Support 1
EMS 167 Emergency Pediatric Care 1
EMS 212 Leadership and Professional Development 1
EMS 216 Paramedic Review 1
EMS 249 Paramedic Capstone Internship 2
Elective 4 Humanities Elective 3
Elective 5 General Education Elective 3
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester 0 2 15  

Degree Earned!