Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program

EMT Program header art

The Emergency Medical Technician Basic Program trains men and women for careers in EMS. Areas of employment that are available once a student because state certified includes positions with private ambulance services, hospitals, fire departments, and other medical providers.

Completion of the Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certificate prepares students for the EMT-B State Licensure Test. Once licensed a student will be eligible to apply for the paramedic program. The extensive curriculum includes medical aspects, legal terminology, pharmacology, childbirth, and life saving techniques, such as CPR. The EMT candidate will participate in hands-on training in clinical and practical applications in hospital settings and field time with local fire department ambulances.

This certificate prepares students for the EMT-B State Licensure Test. The extensive curriculum includes medical aspects, legal terminology, pharmacology, childbirth, and life saving techniques, such as CPR. The EMT candidate will participate in hands-on training in clinical and practical applications in hospital settings and field time, such as auto extrications. Testing is done periodically in the classroom, as well as practical settings.

  1. Prospective students should submit an SSC Application form and forward all official high school (or HSE/GED®) transcripts, as well as official college transcripts to the Office of Admissions for credit evaluation.
  2. Students that have completed the necessary prerequisite courses can submit the application form by mail or in person to the Health Professions Office in Room 4457. The deadline for prerequisite course completion and application to be considered for the
    Spring class each year is October 1st and May 1st for Fall class each year.

Mission

The South Suburban College Emergency Medical Technician Program is dedicated to student success and committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of education and training in emergency medical service based on state and national standards.
The EMS Program goal is to create responsible, caring and competent emergency medical services professionals through the professionalism and aptitude of our instructors, that prepares graduates to take the examinations leading to national registry and/or state certification as Emergency Medical Technicians.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

To prepare competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technicians in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, with the ability, upon completion, to transition to the paramedic education program.

  • Cognitive Objective: Upon successful completion of this program, the student will demonstrate a working knowledge of clinical information and related topics, relevant to the practice of pre-hospital emergency medical care.
  • Psychomotor Objective: Upon successful completion of the program, the student will demonstrate an ability perform all EMT level skills.
  • Affective Objective: Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to demonstrate competently and proficiently attitudes and behaviors consistent with the ethics and professionalism expected of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Admission Process Placement

The EMT program has a selective admissions process. Specific eligibility criteria are used to evaluate each applicant to admit those students with highest likelihood of success. Admissions to the program will be determined by the following criteria:

Prerequisites:

  1. Must be 18 years or older and have an Official High School Diploma or HSE Transcripts (unable to be state certified without a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 18 years old). High School Seniors are eligible to take the program but cannot sit for the state examination until they turn 18 and have graduated from high school.
  2. Students must take Reading 082 and English 098 or test out of these classes on the placement test prior to entering the program.
  3. Students are required to pass a drug screening and background check prior to admittance into the program. Students will be required to pay for both tests.
  4. Students must have a current CPR certification and it must remain current throughout the course.
  5. Completion of general education courses and prerequisite courses with a ’C’ or better.
  6. A photocopy of the student’s current health care insurance must be submitted to each respective program coordinator in order to participate at any clinical education site. Failure to maintain comprehensive health care insurance will result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the clinical site and thereby receiving a failing grade in the clinical education class. Furthermore, the student will be financially responsible to pay all medical bills and co-payments as a result of injuries or health issues that arise from participation of clinical education programs.

Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the program.

Students that have completed the necessary prerequisite courses can pick up the Emergency Medical Technician Program Application packet in the Health Professions Office in Room 4457. The deadline for prerequisite course completion and application to be considered for the spring class each year is December 1st and July 1st for Fall. Applications may be accepted after this deadline if approved by the program coordinator.

PLEASE NOTE: This program is not financial aid eligible.

Overview for College Success

Overview for College Success (OCS 121) is a course is designed to assist students in the navigation of becoming successful in college and life. Major topics include setting academic, career and personal goals; effective communication strategies; study skills; critical thinking; self-discovery; and learning styles. In addition, this course delves into topics such as stress management, diversity and other well-being topics. Students will develop educational and career plans, learn to utilize college resources and receive extensive help in course planning. OCS 121 credit is not calculated in the course minimum credit totals listed in this section.

Students must take OCS 121 if they meet one or more of the following:

  • First time degree seeking students.
  • Transfer student with less than 12 credit hours and no evidence of similar course on transcript.
  • Registering for 6 or more credits.
  • Test into 2 or more developmental classes.
  • Currently does not have OCS credit or registered for OCS.

 

Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certificate (EMT.BASIC)

Overview for College Success CREDITS
OCS 121 Overview for College Success 1
EMT 215 Emergency Medical Training 8
SUGGESTED ELECTIVE:
EMT 206 Emergency Medical Responder 3
Minimum for Certificate: 8