This program prepares students to work with patients and members of a healthcare team as an emergency department technician. Courses provide theoretical content, technical training, and preparation to work with diverse and vulnerable patient populations.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Evaluate the needs of diverse patients in an emergency department setting as a member of the healthcare team.
• Apply safe clinical skills to the care of diverse patients within the scope of the emergency department technician.
• Evaluate and implement the role of the healthcare professional in improving and advocating for health equity.

Program prerequisite: Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card.

The projected number of completions for the Certificate of Achievement in Emergency Department Technician per year is 20-30 students. The interest in the program by employers and students is outweighed by the limitation on available capacity in impacted courses such as HCT 104 (Phlebotomy) and EMT 100 (Emergency Medical Technician). Capacity is determined by the regulatory requirements for lab faculty to student ratios and the limited number of clinical placement sites. HCT 104 enrolls 20-24 students per semester, EMT 100 enrolls 60 students per semester, and ECGT 101 enrolls 25 students per semester. The program has the potential to expand with additional resources dedicated to clinical coordination and lab instruction. All three courses in the program are in high demand and have a waitlist every semester. The HCT course has an application process and uses a lottery selection process which may have an impact on the number of completions annually.

The goal of the Emergency Department Technician program is to prepare students to care for patients as a member of the healthcare team in a hospital emergency department setting.

 

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Adapt to the needs of diverse patients in an emergency department setting as a member of the healthcare team.
• Apply safe clinical skills within the scope of the Emergency Department Technician to the care of diverse patients.
• Recognize the role of healthcare professionals in improving and advocating for health equity.

Emergency Department Technician: Certificate of Achievement

Item 1: Program Goals and Objectives

The goal of the Emergency Department Technician program is to prepare students to care for patients as a member of the healthcare team in a hospital emergency department setting.

 

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Adapt to the needs of diverse patients in an emergency department setting as a member of the healthcare team.
• Apply safe clinical skills within the scope of the Emergency Department Technician to the care of diverse patients.
• Recognize the role of healthcare professionals in improving and advocating for health equity.

Item 2: Catalog Description

This program prepares students to work with patients and members of a healthcare team in an emergency department as an Emergency Department Technician. Courses provide theoretical content, technical training, and preparation to work with diverse communities and vulnerable patient populations.

Item 3: Program Requirements

Students must have a current AHA BLS CPR card to enroll in this program. The minimum time for completion of this certificate is 2 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and number of units or classes completed per semester. 

Courses Required for the Certificate of Achievement in Emergency Department Technician

Course	Units	Year/Sem
Required Courses
EMT 100 – Emergency Medical Technician	8.00	Y1 S1
HCT 104 -- Phlebotomy	5.50	Y1 S2
ECGT 101 – Electrocardiography I	4.00	Y1 S2

 

Year 1 Fall = 8 units

Year 1 Spring = 9.5 units

Total Units = 17.5 units

 

Item 4: Master Planning

This program provides expanded opportunities for employment and education pathways for students who complete the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program but who are seeking employment in a hospital setting. EMT training is focused on preparation to work on an ambulance or as a front-line responder in a prehospital environment; however, for many years the regional hospitals have hired EMT’s as technicians in an emergency department if they possess additional skills and training. This program provides gainful employment and these positions are in high demand (see attached labor market regional report). The Emergency Department Technician is also a stackable certificate program and provides excellent preparation for students who wish to seek additional advanced training as a Paramedic, Nurse, Physician Assistant, or Physician.

Item 5: Enrollment and Completer Projections 

The projected number of completions for the Certificate of Achievement in Emergency Department Technician per year is 20-30 students. The interest in the program by employers and students is outweighed by the limitation on available capacity in impacted courses such as HCT 104 (Phlebotomy) and EMT 100 (Emergency Medical Technician). Capacity is determined by the regulatory requirements for lab faculty to student ratios and the limited number of clinical placement sites. HCT 104 enrolls 20-24 students per semester, EMT 100 enrolls 60 students per semester, and ECGT 101 enrolls 25 students per semester. The program has the potential to expand with additional resources dedicated to clinical coordination and lab instruction. All three courses in the program are in high demand and have a waitlist every semester. The HCT course has an application process and uses a lottery selection process which may have an impact on the number of completions annually.

Item 6: Place of Program in Curriculum/Similar Programs

 

The college has Certificates of Achievement in Emergency Medical Technician, Phlebotomy, and ECG Technician. The Emergency Department Technician Program responds to the needs of our hospital partners who have a need for technicians in the emergency department with some training in all three areas but without the need for completion of each of the individual programs. Most regional emergency departments advertise for this position as an “Emergency Department Technician”; however, other use “Patient Care Technician-Emergency” or “Medical Evaluation Assistant/Technician-Emergency” and list the same desired qualifications. This program also provides preparation for enrollment into other healthcare programs at City College of San Francisco include Nursing (LVN and Registered Nursing), Medical Assisting, and Paramedic.

Item 7: Similar Programs at Other Colleges in Service Area

 

Several neighboring colleges have Emergency Medical Technician Programs, including Skyline, Foothill College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Chabot, Los Medanos, Las Positas, Contra Costa College, Merritt College, and San Jose City College. Several private programs also operate in the area and provide EMT, ECG, and Phlebotomy; however, this program provides results in a certificate specifically for Emergency Department Technicians.

 

Courses Required for the Certificate of Achievement in Emergency Department Technician

Course	Units	Year/Sem
Required Courses
EMT 100 – Emergency Medical Technician	8.00	Y1 S1
HCT 104 -- Phlebotomy	5.50	Y1 S2
ECGT 101 – Electrocardiography I	4.00	Y1 S2

 

Year 1 Fall = 8 units

Year 1 Spring = 9.5 units

Total Units = 17.5 units

 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)

n/a

Several neighboring colleges have Emergency Medical Technician Programs, including Skyline, Foothill College, Santa Rosa Junior College, Chabot, Los Medanos, Las Positas, Contra Costa College, Merritt College, and San Jose City College. Several private programs also operate in the area and provide EMT, ECG, and Phlebotomy; however, this program provides results in a certificate specifically for Emergency Department Technicians.