Emergency Medical Services (Paramedic) Certificate

Strider Floyd
Division Chair, Emergency Services
(940) 498-6254
sfloyd@nctc.edu

The Emergency Medical Services Program is designed to give the student a well rounded education for a professional career in emergency medicine. Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMTs) and Paramedics provide fast and efficient emergency medical care to the sick and injured both at the scene and during their subsequent transport to the hospital. NCTC offers the following levels of EMS certification training:

1. Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (Corinth campus)
2. Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (Corinth & Gainesville campuses)

Courses are taught through lecture, case study skills, written assignments, skills demonstrations, and hands-on training. Clinical experiences and Internships are completed through area hospitals and EMS/fire departments. The paramedic certificate and degree requirement of Anatomy & Physiology (VNSG 1420 ) can be taught via classroom lecture or online.

The Department of State Health Services has approved the program. There is one certificate and one degree track offered to meet the student’s desire for certification or licensure.

Admission Process

Individuals interested in either the EMT-Basic or Paramedic programs must attend an Information Session in order to be considered for admission. Once potential students have attended an Information Session, they will be required to complete the HESI test. The top 25 highest scores from the HESI test will be accepted into the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic program. The top 20 highest scores from the HESI test will be accepted into the Paramedic program.

Qualifications

To be eligible to enroll in the EMS Program, the applicant must show proof of the following at the time of registration:

• Be at least 18 years of age to sit for certification.

Criteria for Enrolling Into the EMS Programs:

• Must have a social security number.
• Must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
• Be physically able to handle patients and equipment normally used in EMS.

To Apply

Prospective students should obtain a program information packet from the EMS Program and follow the instructions in the packet for securing admission to the EMS Program or on the NCTC EMS website. The following will be submitted to the EMS Program:

1. Application for Admission to NCTC
2. Application to the EMS Program
3. High school transcripts
4. College transcripts

Program Acceptance

Potential students who wish to gain admission to the EMT-Basic or Paramedic Programs must complete the following:

• Attend an Information Session
• Take the HESI Test

Once accepted to the program of their choice, the student must complete the following:

• Submit Application for Admission to NCTC with official transcripts
• Criminal Background Check
• Immunizations
• Drug Screen
• Physical
• Must have medical insurance (can be purchased through agencies that work with NCTC.
• Carry a current American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider CPR card.
• Current state or national EMS certifications and current medically related certificates of completion
• Paramedic program candidates must be currently certified as National Registered EMT or Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) EMT

Dual-Credit Program Acceptance

For those potential students seeking to attend the Dual-Credit EMT-Basic Program, selection is based upon participating school district criteria. Currently, Denton, Lake Dallas and Lewisville Independent School Districts offer the Dual-Credit EMT-Basic Program.

Student selection to the Dual-Credit EMT-Basic Program is based upon the following criteria:

• Attend an Information Session
• High School GPA
• School Counselor recommendation
• High School Discipline Record

Once accepted to the program of their choice, the student must complete the following:

• Submit Application for Admission to NCTC with official transcripts
• Criminal Background Check
• Immunizations
• Drug Screen
• Physical
• Must have medical insurance (can be purchased through agencies that work with NCTC.
• Carry a current American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider CPR card.
• Current state or national EMS certifications and current medically related certificates of completion

Progression

To progress through the EMS Program, the student must maintain a “C” average or above. Any student who has an interruption in the normal progression of his/her EMS training may reapply for readmission to the EMS Program through the department program coordinator. Time limitations are determined by department policy and are available by request. Readmission application does not guarantee applicants will receive acceptance into the program.

Advanced Standing Courses and Transfer Credit

Nationally registered EMTs and Paramedics must petition the Department of State Health Services, EMS Division to transfer their certification to the State of Texas.

Advanced Placement/Equivalency of EMT and Paramedic Certification

This program is designed to give the Registered Nurse, Physician’s Assistant, Physician; licensed in Texas, an opportunity to meet certification requirements necessary to become an Emergency Medical Technician or paramedic. This is an equivalency program which evaluates the education and work experience of the nurse, compares it to the requirements of EMT and paramedic certification, and fills in the gaps.

In tailoring the program to the individual practitioner, the program gives credit to the knowledge gained in both professional training and education as well as work experience. It is obvious and clear that the education received covers a wide spectrum of health care. The goal of this program is to focus that knowledge on the care of patients in the emergent and uncontrolled pre-hospital environment with an emphasis on the safety of EMS personnel.

Paramedics Seeking an Associate Degree

Texas or nationally certified paramedics trained at a school other than North Central Texas College may apply for the Associate of Applied Science degree. Application procedures, entrance requirements, credit for certifications, and other requirements are available upon request.

Grading Policy

Grades in the EMS Program are determined by theory, writing assignments, skills performance, Internet assignments, written exams and clinical practice. At the completion of each EMSP course, the student must have a department average and Final Exam Grade of 75% or above to complete course work. Letter grades are assigned based on the following scale:

A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 75-79% D = 66-74% F = 0-65%

Cost Considerations for EMS Students

Summary of Costs

The total per-semester cost of enrolling in the EMS Program at North Central Texas College is the sum of: (1) tuition: (2) “combined student fees”; (3) textbooks; and (4) supplies and incidentals. Except for item 4, charges are figured just as they are for all other students. However, EMS students should be aware that due to the special nature of the program, expenses in categories 3-4 will probably be considerably higher than those paid by students in most other majors.

Textbooks

EMS textbooks are highly specialized and can be expensive, as much as $300 or more in the first semester of Paramedicine. Keep in mind that the EMS program is an integrated course of study, meaning you will buy most of your EMS books the first semester. Therefore, book costs will be considerably less in the later semesters.

Supplies and Incidentals

Once admitted to the EMS Program, students will need to buy classroom uniforms, clinical uniforms, patches, stethoscope, pen light and trauma shears. A good wristwatch with a second hand is essential. Also, the student will need normal school supplies, and other costs that will include such items as major medical insurance, physical examination (including immunizations), Hepatitis B vaccine, CPR training, Drug Testing, Graduation fees and National Registry Examination fee as well as, the Department of State Health Services State Examination fee. An additional fee for malpractice insurance and National Registry Site fee will be added to the tuition/fees bill. Additional costs may include meals while attending clinicals and Internship. Some of these expenses will not be incurred until the latter part of the program.

NOTE: All tuition rates, fees and other elements of expense for attending North Central Texas College are subject to change by the NCTC Board of Regents.

Graduation

Students are granted an Associate of Applied Science degree or Certificate in Paramedicine after successful completion of the prescribed curriculum within the EMS Program.

Eligible students completing certification or degree coursework will receive a Certificate of Course Completion necessary to take the National Registry Examination. EMTs and EMT-Ps who successfully pass the National Registry exam will be required to apply to the state of Texas to be certified as an EMT or a certified/licensed Paramedic.

Certificate of Completion/AAS Degree

All course work to be applied toward certification or the Associate of Applied Science degree must be completed with a grade of “C” or above. Students should consult a department representative to file a certificate or degree plan.

Students must be a current certified EMT to begin the EMT-P Certificate Program.

Emergency Medical Services Certificate (Paramedic)

The Paramedic program at North Central Texas College teaches basic and advanced life support. Certified paramedics are the primary care providers in advanced level ambulances and fire departments.

Upon completion of the certificate students will be able to:

• Describe the scope of paramedic practice within local, state and national parameters.
• Demonstrate the desirable qualities of an EMS provider that contribute to high professional and ethical standards.
• Recognize, assess and manage medical and traumatic emergencies while establishing priorities under the appropriate medical control. Procedures will include physical assessment, extrication, basic life support, airway control and ventilation, fluid resuscitation, drug therapy, emergency delivery, cardiac monitoring and electrical intervention, psychological support and other forms of basic and advanced life support.
• Coordinate scene management, patient care, and transportation with other agencies.
• Establish rapport with first responders, agencies, patient’s family members, and staff of receiving hospitals.
• Concisely document through written and oral communications, events relative to the provision of emergency care.
• In the event of contingencies, exercise personal judgment that is sound and appropriate for the situation.

The Paramedic Certificate program is designed to take 3 semesters (1 year) to complete and consists of the following suggested pathway or course of study. This degree can be completed either completely face-to-face or through a mix of face-to-face classes and online classes.