Emergency Medical Services, Associate of Applied Science
Program Overview
The Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) degree follows the 2009 EMS Education Standards published by the US Department of Transportation and involves 555 hours of classroom and lab instruction; an extensive structured 270 hour in-hospital clinical component with experienced preceptors at various medical centers and a field internship with a high performance urban EMS agency.
Students successfully completing this program will be eligible for certification testing by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
The Paramedic program provides general instruction in all human body systems and advanced life support management for a wide range of conditions. Components of this program include:
- Introduction to Paramedic
- Pharmacology
- Airway Management and Ventilation
- Advanced Patient Assessment
- Medicine
- Trauma
- Special Populations
- EMS Operations
Program Outcomes
The Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services degree is designed 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.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services is designed to provide the entry-level Paramedic with knowledge and experience which will enable the graduate to:
- Exhibit behavior consistent with the standards of professional practice
- Adhere to the standards of professional practice within the legal, ethical and regulatory framework
- Utilize various methods of communication to effectively interact within the healthcare system
- Provide culturally competent care to a multicultural society
- Demonstrate technical competence in all skills required of practice
- Provide evidence-based, clinically competent care utilizing critical thinking and decision-making in the prehospital setting
- Utilize basic team leadership skills to ensure safety, coordinate care, delegate appropriately and solve problems to facilitate positive patient outcomes
- Demonstrate the characteristics of self-direction and accountability, which contribute to lifelong learning, both personally and within the profession
For additional information about the program link to: https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/emergency-medical-services-paramedic-associates. To see the Student Consumer Information link to: https://www.ecpi.edu/student-consumer-services which provides additional information on the future careers, success, cost, and financing for this program. For information on the University Completion and Graduation Rates, please see About ECPI University on the ECPI website.
About Emergency Medical Services
The Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Paramedics perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Paramedic is a link from the scene into the health care system.
In most communities, Paramedics provide a large portion of the out-of-hospital care and represent the highest level of out-of-hospital care. Paramedics work alongside other EMS and health care professionals as an integral part of the emergency care team.
The Paramedic’s scope of practice includes basic and advanced skills focused on the acute management and transportation of the broad range of patients who require emergency medical care. This may occur at an emergency scene until transportation resources arrive, from an emergency scene to a health care facility, between health care facilities, or in other health care settings.
Applicants for employment in Emergency Medical Services must be capable of completing an employment process which may include the following:
- Criminal History Check
- Drug Screening
- Psychological Screening/ Mental Health History
- Driving Record
- Polygraph Examination
- Security Clearance
- Physical Agility
- Physical Health Evaluation
- Military Disciplinary History
- Domestic Violence Investigations
- Credit History
- Social Networking Background Investigation
- Background Investigation
- Panel Interviews
- Behavioral Assessment
- Possession of a Valid Driver's License
- Compliance with policies regarding body art/ tattoos and piercings
- Tobacco Free Agreement
- Educational History
A criminal background check, 5-panel urine drug screen, employment physical, proof of PPD test or negative chest x-ray, proof of tetanus inoculation, a Hepatitis B titer, Varicella titer, proof of MMR vaccination and current AHA Healthcare Provider CPR certification are required.
Recommended Certifications
Successful completion of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Certification Examination is required to obtain Paramedic Certification. Affiliation or employment with a licensed EMS Agency and approval of the Agency Operational Medical Director is required to practice as a Paramedic.
Program Outline
To receive the Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services, students must earn 71 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 5 semesters, which is equivalent to 19 months or 75 weeks of instruction. The program requirements are as follows:
Program Requirements
Arts and Sciences
18 semester credit hours
| BIO101 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO104 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| ENG110 | College Composition | 3 |
| HUM205 | Culture and Diversity: Exploring the Humanities | 3 |
| MTH120 | College Mathematics | 3 |
| PSY105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Self-Integration
3 semester credit hours
Emergency Medical Technician Certification
9 semester credit hours
| EMS112 | Emergency Medical Technician I | 3 |
| EMS113 | Emergency Medical Technician II | 2 |
| EMS114 | Emergency Medical Technician III | 2 |
| EMS115 | Emergency Medical Technician IV | 1 |
| EMS120 | Emergency Medical Technician Clinical | 1 |
Paramedic Certification
41 semester credit hours
Emergency Medical Services Program - Specific Policies
Admissions Requirements. Admission to Emergency Medical Services Certification Programs in Virginia is regulated by the Board of Health, Emergency Medical Services Regulation 12VAC5-31-900. The below listed requirements have been established.
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age on the start date of the training program.
- Be proficient in reading, writing and speaking the English language.
- Hold a high school diploma, general equivalency diploma, or higher degree of education.
- Hold current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician.
- Hold current certification in an approved course in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
- Be capable of performing all assigned duties. Have no defect, which would render the student unable to perform all practical skills required for this level of training. Physical performance skills must include the ability of the student to function and communicate independently, to perform appropriate patient care, physical assessments and treatments without the need for an assistant. Specific physical requirements are defined in the functional position description.
- Comply with OSHA 29 CFR part 1910.1030. A health examination and copies of immunization records is required.
- Evidence of competency in high school level mathematics and post high school English.
- Not have been convicted or found guilty of any crime, offense or regulatory violation, or participated in any other prohibited conduct identified in the Virginia EMS regulations as defined in 12VAC5-31-910
Attendance. A detailed record of student attendance is maintained by the program and becomes a part of the permanent student record. Every absence is recorded and counted as such, beginning with the first scheduled class. There are no excused absences. Virginia EMS Regulations require students attend 85% of all scheduled class and lab sessions. If absences exceed 15% of the scheduled class sessions, the student is dropped from the program.
Externship Phase Absenteeism and Tardiness. All clinical courses have minimum hour requirements and minimum clinical competency requirements. Both the minimum hours and the minimum clinical competencies must be met for successful course completion.
Students are expected to arrive for clinical rotations prepared to administer patient care and perform student responsibilities. If there is an emergency or illness resulting in a clinical absence, the student should notify the clinical site and the clinical coordinator prior to the start of the assigned shift. Any missed clinical time must be rescheduled with the Clinical Coordinator.
Student Evaluation. The faculty uses the objectives of the EMS Program as criteria for student evaluation. Student grades are determined by a combination of assignment completion, written examinations, laboratory and clinical competencies and professional behavior as detailed on the course syllabus.
The achievement of the student in theory, psychomotor performance, clinical performance and professional behavior is evaluated by the faculty at regular intervals and shared with the student. The student progresses to the next term when all course requirements have been met. Students must maintain a 73 percent average in all EMS or science courses and meet all psychomotor competency requirements.
At the completion of certain courses, students will be required to complete a computerized, national examination that tests the student’s comprehensive knowledge of the course content. The student must score a minimum of 73% on the unit summative exams.
All clinical courses have minimum hour requirements and minimum clinical competency requirements. Both the minimum hours and the minimum clinical competencies must be met.
A final course grade of less than 73 percent or failure to meet clinical or laboratory requirements will result in failure of a course.
Following completion of all course requirements, the Paramedic student must score a minimum of 76% on the comprehensive capstone exam to be eligible for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Certification Examination.