Emergency Medical Services

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program, in accordance with the goals and mission of Northeast Alabama Community College, is committed to providing quality education and preparation to those seeking education in Emergency Medical Services.

It is the goal of the EMS education program at NACC to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychometer (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel treat millions of patients annually in the United States. Many of these patients have complicated medical and/or trauma conditions. Paramedics are required to have considerable knowledge, skill, and judgment to treat patients in the out-of-hospital setting. High quality out-of-hospital emergency care is an important part of the United States health care system. 

Based on the National EMS Scope of Practice model, the four levels of nationally recognized providers are Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and Paramedic.

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) renders on-scene emergency care while awaiting additional EMS response. In many communities, EMRs provide care as first responders in the workplace and industry, fire responders and rescue organizations. EMR courses are organized on request. Upon successful course completion and certification by examination through the National Registry of EMTs, candidates may apply for licensure with the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of EMS. EMR certification and licensure is not required to enter the EMS Program.

Those seeking to enter the EMS program of study have options of earning short term certificates at the EMT and Advanced EMT level, and a certificate at the Paramedic level or an Associate in Applied Science Degree-Emergency Medical Services.

The Emergency Medical Technician’s (EMT) scope of practice includes basic, non-invasive interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with acute out-of-hospital medical and traumatic emergencies. The Emergency Medical Technician level is the minimum licensure level for personnel transporting patients in ambulances.

The Advanced EMT (AEMT) scope of practice includes basic, limited advanced and pharmacological interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with acute out-of hospital medical and traumatic emergencies. A current Alabama EMT license is required to enter the AEMT program. 

Paramedics are the most advanced level of EMS care providers licensed by the state of Alabama. The Paramedic’s scope of practice includes basic and advanced life support education and skills focused on the acute management and transportation of the broad range of patients who access the emergency medical system. A current EMT license is required for program admission along with specific academic prerequisite courses.

EMS Program Admission Requirements:

• Unconditional admission to the College.
• Complete appropriate placement examinations.
• Schedule an advising appointment with an EMS advisor.
• Complete the EMS Program application (obtained at advisor meeting).
• Meet essential functions required for EMS (page 108-109).
• Meet pre-clinical requirements for EMS.
• Meet all additional requirements outlined in the EMS Program Handbook.

In addition to classroom and lab sessions, EMS students are required to complete course appropriate clinical activities at various healthcare and EMS organizations. Prior to clinical participation, students must meet specific agency requirements. These include a physical examination, documentation of vaccinations, satisfactory criminal background check, drug screen, orientation to policy and procedures for each agency, including appropriate dress, hygiene, patient confidentiality, and expectation of professional behaviors.

Successful program completion is met in each EMS course with a minimum letter grade of “B” and satisfactory lab and clinical competencies. A grade of less than a “B” in any EMS course is considered unsuccessful and will not result in certificate or AAS awards, unless retaken and completed with a grade of “B.”

Anticipated Additional EMS Program Costs 

• Textbooks and learning resources
• Exam and licensure fees
• Professional Liability Insurance
• Clinical uniforms and supplies
• Transportation to and from clinical sites
• Physical Examination, vaccinations
• Drug Screen and Criminal Background Check
• Test Prep, Testing, and Competency Tracking Programs

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendations of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Emergency Medical Services Program Essential Functions

Students entering and participating in the EMS Program (primary training) must:

Physical Demands

1. have the physical ability necessary to walk, climb, crawl, bend, push, pull, and lift and balance over less than ideal terrain;
2. have good physical stamina and endurance which would not be adversely affected by having to lift, carry, and balance at times, in excess of 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance);
3. see different color spectrums;
4. have good eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate equipment, instrumentation, and medications;

Problem Solving Abilities

5. be able to send and receive verbal messages as well as operate communication equipment appropriately;
6. be able to collect facts to organize data accurately and communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, in the English language at the ninth grade level or higher;
7. be able to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings in human physical conditions using visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile observations;
8. be able to make good judgment decisions and exhibit problem solving skills under stressful situations;
9. be attentive to detail and aware of standards and rules that govern practice;
10. implement therapies based on mathematical calculations;

Worker Characteristics

11. possess emotional stability to be able to perform duties in life-or-death situations and in potentially dangerous social situations, including responding to calls in districts known to have high crime rates;
12. be able to handle stress and work well as part of a team;
13. be oriented to reality and not be mentally impaired by mind altering substances;
14. not be addicted to drugs or alcohol;
15. be able to work shifts 24 hours in length, if necessary;
16. be able to tolerate being exposed to extremes in the environment including variable aspects of weather, hazardous fumes, and noise;
17. possess eyesight in a minimum of one eye correctable to 20/20 vision and be able to determine directions according to a map. Students who desire to drive an ambulance must possess approximately 180 degrees peripheral vision capacity, must possess a valid Alabama driver’s license, and must be able to safely and competently operate a motor vehicle in accordance with state law; and
18. have the ability to follow established criteria even in the absence of direct supervision.