Public Safety - Emergency Medical Technician

Emphasis: Emergency Medical Technician

The Public Safety Division provides educational services to individuals desiring to enter the emergency service field. Basic and advanced skills training accompany didactic material preparing individuals for entry level practice as a Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic. Pre-hospital professionals are provided continuing education opportunities for maintenance of their license.

Gainful Employment Disclosure - Emergency Medical Technician Certificate: ws.edu/financial-aid/consumer/gedt/GedtBEMT/Gedt.html

This program is designed for the student who does not intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Admission Requirements

A prospective student seeking admission to the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program must complete the following procedures according to State of Tennessee, Department of Emergency Medical Services, and Walters State Community College policies.

1. Meet with an advisor from the division of Public Safety, Emergency Service Programs department prior to registering and obtain clearance to register.
2. Students must complete an Emergency Medical Responder course (First Responder course EMTB 1040 or equivalent), hold a First Responder or Emergency Medical Responder Certification, or an approved health related license (see a Public Safety Division advisor).
3. Provide proof of and maintain non-cancelable medical malpractice liability insurance coverage in amount of $1,000,000/3,000,000 aggregate for the entire length of the program.
4. Submit evidence of an acceptable physical examination, provided by a physician, which has been performed within the last six months as it relates to the requirements of the profession.
5. Must be 18 years of age.
6. Meet all other admission requirements specific to the program such as providing documentation of immunizations including Tuberculosis (TB) skin test, Tetanus, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), Varicella, Hepatitis B (series of three immunizations), Influenza. Also, any state and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician requirements must be met.

Retention/Progression Policies

To remain in good standing, once admitted, a student must maintain the following standards or receive a failing grade for the program:

1. Adhere to all Walters State Community College, Emergency Service Programs Department and Clinical Affiliate policy.
2. Earn and maintain a grade of “C” or better in the EMT program. Students’ grades will be evaluated during each semester by the department faculty.
3. Satisfactorily complete the theory, clinical and/or skills requirements. A grade of “D” or “F” in theory will result in a grade of “F” for the entire course. A “not yet competent” in clinical will result in a grade of “F” for the entire course.
4. Exhibit safe clinical behavior.
5. Demonstrate and maintain professional, ethical and legal conduct.
6. Maintain professional, ethical and legal conduct.
7. Maintain CPR certification.
8. Submit to a drug test if requested by the dean of Public Safety, Emergency Medical Technician Program director, or the Clinical Program director at any time during the program. A positive drug test is grounds for discipline as specified in the Summary of Drug Free Campus/Workplace Policy.

Readmission Policies

1. A student may be considered for readmission to the Emergency Medical Technician program if the following criteria are met:
   
   1. Readmission to an emergency medical technician program is contingent upon the availability of space.
   2. The applicant must complete an application for readmission.
2. Only one readmission is permitted.

Health and Physical Considerations for EMT Students

The Emergency Service Programs and the college strive to provide as much as possible, a reasonably safe environment for its EMT students and their patients. During the course of the program a student may be required to demonstrate physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Such essential requirements may include, but are not limited to, freedom from communicable diseases, the ability to perform certain physical tasks, and suitable emotional fitness. Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, so as not to discriminate against any individual on the basis of disability.

The following core performance standards are adopted and these standards should be used to assist the student in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary. The standards are:

1. Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.
2. Interpersonal abilities sufficient to effectively interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
3. Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
4. Physical abilities sufficient to move from area or environment to another and maneuver in small spaces.
5. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective prehospital care.
6. Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
7. Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in prehospital care.
8. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.

If a student believes that one or more of the standards cannot be met without accommodation or modification, Emergency Service Program administration will determine whether or not accommodations or modifications can be reasonably made. A student should contact the Emergency Service Program faculty for further assistance.

Legal Limitation for Licensure

Students who successfully complete requirements for the Emergency Medical Technician technical certificate are eligible to take the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Examination licensure exam to become an Emergency Medical Technician. However, the Division of EMS may deem an individual who successfully completes the EMT program ineligible for licensure in the State of Tennessee because of an individual’s violation of the EMS rules and regulations.