Emergency Medical Technician

Emergency Management Technicians are the backbone of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS)system throughout the nation, helping to reduce injury severity and death at the scene of an accident or sudden illness and during transportation to amedical facility.
Students seeking to become a state certified EMT should take EMT 115 and EMT116 courses to fulfill the requirements for State EMT certification (NREMT)testing. These courses are the requirements for this program Certificate.
Cosumnes River College's Emergency Medical Technology courses are designed to provide the student with the skills and knowledge to apply for certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and are approved by the Sacramento County Health Department, Division of Emergency Medical Services, and the certifying agency for Sacramento County. Their completion is mandatory for all personnel who wish to pursue State certification as an EMT. EMT certification from Sacramento County Health Department, Division of Emergency Medical Services isthe first step to starting a career working on an ambulance. EMT certification is also a pre-employment requirement for most professional fire departments.Together with varying levels of actual on-the-job experience, it is often required for admission to Paramedic training programs throughout the state and country.
EMT State certification has also become an important first step in the career path of students pursuing professions as physicians, registered nurses,physician assistants, and other allied health professions, by offering a distinct advantage in patient assessment and critical interventions skills, as well as the ability to obtain valuable work experience. Cosumnes River College's EMT 100 students will gain actual experience by spending hours off-campus in operating ambulance units and in hospital emergency departments. Highlights include:  Hands-on experience administering proper emergency medical care; preparation for the EMT state certification test; first step in pursuing a paramedic license; and hospital emergency room observation time and opportunities to “ride along” in ambulances.Career opportunities include: EMT; Emergency Room Technician; and Fire Service.

Based upon past experience, it is estimated that five students will complete this certificate annually. This figure is expected to grow, as students learn about the program's availability as a Certificate of Achievement that will allow for certificate completion to be noted on the student's transcript.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

Program Level SLO #1: Demonstrate and confirm knowledge of current information to work in the fieldof emergency medicine as an EMT.

• The students will be able to analyze fluid complex medical problems with patients and then apply appropriate patient care based on a standardized decision making process.
• Perform the skills and tasks of patient care and demonstrate proficiency on the basic equipment that EMTs use in the field.
• Demonstrate critical thinking techniques and how to apply them to sick and injured patients in the pre-hospital arena.

Program Level SLO #2: Demonstrate and incorporate professional values and standards for medical personnel that the industry requires in pre-hospital emergency medicine.

• Implement and maintain professional appearance and conduct in all aspects of program activities.
• Perform patient assessment and care utilizing a team approach.

Program Level SLO#3: Achieve the basic educational requirements for most paramedic programs in the state.Most paramedic programs will require at least 1 year work experience as an EMT on an ambulance as an application requirement for Paramedic school.

• Students will work in field clinical settings alongside experienced medical professionals and will apply skills and knowledge learned in the program.
• Students will complete and pass the State’s EMT Certification Written Exam to achieve EMT certification.

Students will utilize recently learned skills and knowledge and comprehend the need for EMTs to stay current on the most up to date emergency medical information and training.

This8-unit Certificate of Proficiency was approved by the Los Rios CCD in 2002. The College is now seeking state approval of this program as an 8-unit Certificate of Achievement.