Emergency Medical Technician, Certificate of Achievement

The Certificate of Achievement in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) provides the practical skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level EMT positions and offers EMT professionals the opportunity to advance their careers as paramedics. It prepares students to respond to and provide life-saving care during both emergent and non-emergent incidents involving victims of illness or injury. Students also learn to deliver non-emergent patient care and inter-facility transportation. Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Achievement, students will be eligible to take the National Registry EMT-B written exam for certification.

After the initial year, we project that approximately 50 students will complete the certificate annually. This includes two cohorts: one beginning in the Fall and completing in Spring, and another beginning in the Winter and completing in Summer. Each cohort is expected to graduate around 25 students. Based on the projected annual completion of 50 students, we estimate a total of 250 students will earn the certificate over the course of five years.

Foothill College offers both the EMR and EMT courses every quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer). This certificate consists of one quarter of EMR followed by two quarters of EMT instruction. With this ongoing quarterly scheduling and stable enrollment patterns, we anticipate consistent completion rates of approximately 50 students per year.

The goal of the Certificate of Achievement in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is to prepare students to meet the National EMS Education Standards and the State of California requirements for EMT course completion, enabling them to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Basic Level EMT-B examination for certification. Possession of EMT certification is one of the prerequisites for the Paramedic Program at Foothill College.

The objectives of the program include student mastery of all skills necessary to provide emergency medical care at a basic life support level with a fire department or other specialized service.

Students will take three courses: EMS 50, EMS52 and EMS 53

The Certificate of Achievement in Emergency Medical Technician aligns with Foothill College's 2030 framework by preparing and equipping a diverse student population with critical thinking skills to succeed in the workforce and earn a livable wage. This low-unit certificate opens the door to entry-level employment as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and serves as a pathway to becoming a paramedic or higher level medical professional through continued education.

In addition, Foothill College offers robust support and instructional services to help students persist and succeed in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) courses. The creation of this new certificate formally recognizes students who complete EMS 50, EMS 52, and EMS 53, making them eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Basic Level EMT-B examination for certification. Licensed EMTs may find employment in a variety of roles and employers, including as emergency room technicians, in nursing homes, on ambulances, and with fire departments.

Currently, the closest college with such a certificate is Skyline.  None exist in the South Bay/ Silicon Valley region.