Emergency Medical Services

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

EMS 100 : Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I

This course provides students with concepts as related to areas of basic life support to include coronary artery disease, prudent heart living, symptoms of heart attack, adult one-and-two rescuer CPR, first aid for choking, pediatric basic life support, airway adjuncts, EMS system entry access, automated external defibrillation (AED), and special situations for CPR. Upon course completion, students should be able to identify situations requiring action related to heart or breathing conditions and effectively implement appropriate management for each condition. Students successfully completing this course will receive appropriate documentation of course completion.

Credits

1

EMS 101 : Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II

This course provides students with a review of concepts learned in EMS-100. In addition, the course provides the student with theory and application of airway adjuncts as utilized with airway obstruction and maintenance as well as respiratory and cardiac arrest. Assessment and management of acute ischemic stroke will also be included. Upon course completion, students should be able to identify situations requiring action related to heart or breathing conditions and effectively implement appropriate management for these conditions. Students successfully completing this course will receive appropriate documentation of course completion.

Credits

1

EMS 103 : First Aid/CPR

This course provides a study of basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Students will be able to perform basic first aid and CPR techniques. Upon completion, the student will be eligible for CPR certification testing.

Credits

1

EMS 104 : First AID for Students of Health Related Professions

This course is designed for students who plan to enter a health related profession and provides educational concepts related to first aid for various health disciplines. The course includes instruction in the emergency administration of oxygen, use of airway adjuncts, medication administration techniques, equipment for mechanical breathing, suctioning techniques, and automated external defibrillation (AED). Upon course completion, students should have the ability to recognize emergency situations requiring immediate action and appropriately manage these situations.

Credits

1

EMS 105 : First Responder

This course provides theory in emergency procedures as contained in the current National Standard Training Curriculum (NSTC) for the First Responder. The course is an introduction to the emergency medical services system and provides fundamentals for students to improve the quality of emergency care provided as the first person to an emergency scene until emergency medical services arrive. Completion of specific student competencies, as outlined in the current NSTC for the First Responder, is required for successful course completion.

Credits

3

EMS 106 : Medical Terminology for Health Professions

This course provides students with a survey of words, terms, and descriptions commonly used in health related professions. The course includes spelling, pronunciation, and meaning of prefixes, suffixes, roots, and terms. Students may have the opportunity to utilize computer assisted instruction for learning various medical terms. Upon course completion, students should have the knowledge to associate a variety of medical terms with their meaning and utilize medical terms to effectively communicate with other health professionals.

Credits

2

EMS 107 : Emergency Vehicle Operator Ambulance

The Emergency Vehicle Operator Course - Ambulance provides the student with training as contained in the current National Standard Training Curriculum (NSTC) for the Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) Ambulance. The course provides the knowledge and skill practice necessary for individuals to learn how to safely operate all types of ambulances. Topics include introduction to the NSTC for ambulance operators; legal aspects of ambulance operation; communication and reporting; roles and responsibilities; ambulance types and operation; ambulance inspection, maintenance, and repair; navigation and route planning; basic maneuvers and normal operating situations; operations in emergency mode and unusual situations, special considerations in safety; and the run. Completion of specific student competencies, utilizing NSTC guidelines, are required for successful completion of this course. NOTE: To qualify for licensure status as an ambulance driver in the State of Alabama, students must successfully complete this course and meet additional requirements as required by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Credits

1

EMS 108 : Directed Studies in Ems - I

This course offers independent study or computer assisted instruction under faculty supervision and/or theory in an EMS subject relevant to the student’s interest and need. Specific cognitive competencies required by the student are defined in writing at the first class period.

Credits

1

EMS 113 : Infection Control for Health Professions

This course is designed for students planning to enter a health related field of study or public service occupations. The course focuses on the sources of communicable diseases and describes methods for prevention of transmission of bloodborne and airborne pathogens. Topics include prevention; universal precautions (body-substance isolation) and asepsis; immunization; exposure control; disposal; labeling; transmission; exposure determination; post-exposure reporting; and an exposure control plan. The course is taught following current guidelines set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Upon course completion, students should be able to participate in the clinical setting, identify potential sources of bloodborne and air borne pathogens, and use appropriate universal precautions.

Credits

1

EMS 118 : Emergency Medical Technician

This course is required to apply for certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. This course provides students with insights into the theory and application of concepts related to the profession of emergency medical services. Specific topics include: EMS preparatory, airway maintenance, patient assessment, management of trauma patients, management of medical patients, treating infants and children, and various EMS operations. This course is based on the NHTSA National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards.

Credits

9

EMS 119 : Emergency Medical Technician Clinical

This course is required to apply for certification as an EMT. This course provides students with clinical education experiences to enhance knowledge and skills learned in the EMS 118, Emergency Medical Technician Theory and Lab. This course helps students prepare for the National Registry Exam.

Credits

1

EMS 120 : Vehicle Extrication

This course provides students with theory in the development of concepts related to the removal of persons from damaged vehicles. Topics include gaining access, stabilization, packaging, patient removal, and basic hazardous situations. Upon completion, students should be able to effectively extricate a person from a wrecked vehicle.

Credits

2

EMS 125 : High Angle Rescue - I

This course provides students with theory in the introduction to high angle rescue techniques. Topics include the high angle environment; equipment and protection, care and use of rope and related equipment, knots, rappelling, and ascending techniques; and introduction to rescue techniques. Upon course completion, students should have an understanding in the basic techniques of high angle rescue.

Credits

2

EMS 126 : High Angle Rescue-II

This course is a continuation and review of EMS 125 and provides students with theory in rescue techniques utilized in rope rescue. Topics include one person rescue techniques, slope evacuation, high angle lowering, hauling systems, high lines, and evacuation operations. Upon course completion, students should have an understanding of how to approach a high angle rescue, utilizing various rigging techniques.

Credits

2

EMS 150 : 24 Hour EMT Refresher

This course provides students with theory in review of the current National Standard Training Curriculum (NSTC) for the EMT-Basic. It also serves as a transition or bridge course when a new national curriculum is adopted. This course contains specific content areas as defined by the NSTC. Students are required to complete specific competencies, as outlined by the NSTC, for successful course completion.

Credits

2

EMS 155 : Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

This course is required to apply for certification as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT). This course introduces the theory and application of concepts related to the profession of the AEMT. The primary focus of the AEMT is to provide basic and limited advanced emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Topics include: extending the knowledge of the EMT to a more complex breadth and depth, intravenous access and fluid therapy, medication administration, blind insertion airway devices, as well as the advanced assessment and management of various medical illnesses and traumatic injuries. This course is based on the NHTSA National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards. Requires licensure or eligibility for licensure at the EMT level and EMS 156 must be taken as a co-requisite.

Credits

7

Corequisites

EMS 156

EMS 156 : Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Clinical

This course is required to apply for certification as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT). This course provides students with clinical education experiences to enhance knowledge and skills learned in EMS 155. This course helps prepare students for the National Registry AEMT Exam. The student will have the opportunity to use the basic and advanced skills of the AEMT in the clinical and field settings under the direct supervision of licensed healthcare professionals. Requires licensure or eligibility for licensure at the EMT level and EMS 155 must be taken as a co-requisite.

Credits

2

Corequisites

EMS 155

EMS 189 : Applied Anatomy and Physiology for the Paramedic

This course introduces human anatomy and physiology and includes concepts related to basic chemistry; fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance; functions of cells, tissues, organs, and systems; pathophysiology; and associated medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on applying content to signs, symptoms, and treatments; and situations commonly seen by paramedics. Upon course completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the structure and function of the human body.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

EMS 189 or BIO 201 is a prerequisite for the Paramedic course.

EMS 218 : Supervised Studies in EMS -I

This course offers various topics of interest and need in emergency medical services. The course is conducted and completed under faculty supervision and includes required student cognitive competencies. Upon course completion, students should have a greater understanding of their assigned course topic.

Credits

1

EMS 219 : Supervised Studies in EMS - II

This course offers various topics of interest and need in emergency medical services. The course is conducted and completed under faculty supervision and includes required student cognitive competencies. Upon course completion, students should have a greater understanding of their assigned course topic.

Credits

1

EMS 234 : Decision Making and Problem Solving in EMS

This course provides students with concepts relating to problem solving and decision making. Topics include decision making in the emergency and non-emergency setting, group dynamics and group think phenomenon. Upon course completion, students should be able to begin to use critical thinking skills to solve problems and make appropriate decisions.

Credits

3

EMS 240 : Paramedic Operations

This course focuses on the operational knowledge and skills needed for safe and effective patient care within the paramedic’s scope of practice. Content areas include: research, paramedic roles and responsibilities, well-being of the paramedic, illness and injury prevention, medical-legal-ethical issues, therapeutic communications, medical terminology, life span development, ambulance operations, medical incident command, rescue awareness and operations, hazardous materials incidents, crime scene awareness, and Alabama EMS laws and rules.

Credits

2

Prerequisites

EMS 189 or BIO 201.

EMS 241 : Paramedic Cardiology

This course introduces the cardiovascular system, cardiovascular electrophysiology, and electrocardiographic monitoring. This course further relates pathophysiology and assessment finding to the formulation of field impressions and implementation of treatment plans for specific cardiovascular conditions. Content areas include: cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, cardiovascular electrophysiology, electrocardiographic monitoring, rhythm analysis, and prehospital 12-lead electrocardiogram monitoring and interpretation, assessment of the cardiovascular patient, pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and techniques of management including appropriate pharmacologic agents and electrical therapy.

Credits

3

EMS 242 : Paramedic Patient Assessment

This course provides the knowledge and skills needed to perform a comprehensive patient assessment, make initial management decisions, and to communicate assessment findings and patient care verbally and in writing. Content areas include: airway management, history taking, techniques of the physical examination, patient assessment, clinical decision making, communications, documentation and assessment based management.

Credits

2

EMS 243 : Paramedic Pharmacology

This course introduces basic pharmacological agents and concepts with an emphasis on drug classifications and the knowledge and kills required of a paramedic for safe, effective medication administration. Content areas include: general principles of pharmacology and pharmacologic pathophysiology; venous and intraosseous access techniques, the metric and apothecary system; computation of dosage and solution problems, administration of pharmacologic agents; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and nasogastric tube placement.

Credits

1

EMS 244 : Paramedic Clinical I

This course is directed toward the application of knowledge and skills developed in didactic and skills laboratory experiences to the clinical setting. Theory and skills are applied to a variety of patient situations in the clinical setting, with a focus on patient assessment and management, advanced airway management, electro-therapy, I.V./I.O. initiation and medication administration.

Credits

1

EMS 245 : Paramedic Medical Emergencies

This course relates pathophysiology and assessment finding to the formulation of field impressions and implementation treatment plans for specific medical conditions. Content areas include: pulmonology, neurology, gastroenterology, toxicology, hematology, environmental conditions, infectious and communicable diseases, abuse and assault, patients with special challenges, and acute interventions for the chronic care patient.

Credits

3

EMS 246 : Paramedic Trauma Management

This course relates pathophysiology and assessment findings to the formulation of field impressions and implementation of treatment plans for trauma patients. Content areas include the pathophysiology, assessment, and management of trauma as related to: trauma systems; mechanisms of injury; hemorrhage and shock; soft tissue injuries; burns; and head, facial, spinal, thoracic, abdominal, and musculoskeletal trauma.

Credits

3

EMS 247 : Paramedic Special Populations

This course relates pathophysiology and assessment finding to the formulation of field impressions and implementation of treatment plans for specific medical conditions. Content areas include: endocrinology, allergies and anaphylaxis, behavioral/ psychiatric conditions, gynecology, obstetrics, neonatology, pediatrics, and geriatrics. In the clinical setting, theory and skills are applied to a variety of medical situations across the life span of the patient, with a focus on communication with and management of cardiac, acute care, psychiatric/ behavioral, obstetrical, newborn, pediatric, geriatric, and acute interventions for chronic care patients, and patients with special challenges.

Credits

2

EMS 248 : Paramedic Clinical II

This course is directed toward the application of knowledge and skills developed in didactic and skills laboratory experiences to the clinical setting. Theory and skills are applied to a variety of medical and trauma situations across the life span of the patient, with a focus on communication with and management of trauma, cardiac, acute care, psychiatric/ behavioral, obstetrical, newborn, pediatric, geriatric, and acute interventions for chronic care patients, and patients with special challenges.

Credits

3

EMS 250 : EMS Advanced Studies - I

This course offers theory and computer assisted instruction under faculty supervision in a paramedic educational subject relevant to the student’s need. Specific cognitive objectives must be met by the student for successful course completion.

Credits

3

EMS 253 : Paramedic Transition to the Workplace

This course is designed to meet additional state and local educational requirements for paramedic practice. Content may include: prehospital protocols, transfer medications, topics in critical care and transport, systems presentation, and/or national standard certification courses as dictated by local needs or state requirements.

Credits

2

EMS 254 : Advanced Competencies for Paramedic

This course is designed to assist students in preparation for the paramedic licensure examination. Emphasis is placed on validation of knowledge and skills through didactic review, skills lab performance, and/or computer simulation and practice testing. Upon course completion, students should be sufficiently prepared to sit for the paramedic licensure examination.

Credits

2

EMS 255 : Paramedic Field Preceptorship

This course provides filed experiences in the prehospital setting with advanced life support EMS units. Under the direct supervision of a field preceptor, students synthesize cognitive knowledge and skills developed in the skills laboratory and hospital clinical to provide safe and effective patient care in the prehospital environment. Upon course completion, students should have refined and validated their patient care practices to provide safe and effective patient care over a broad spectrum of patient situations and complaints.

Credits

5

EMS 256 : Paramedic Team Leadership

This course is designed to evaluate students’ ability to integrate didactic, psychomotor skills, clinical, and field internship instruction to serve as a competent entry-level paramedic. This final evaluative (rather than instructional) course focuses on students’ professional attributes and integrative competence in clinical decision-making and team leadership in the prehospital setting. Upon course completion, students should have demonstrated adequate knowledge and skills, professional attitudes and attributes, clinical decision-making and team leadership abilities to effectively function as a competent entry-level paramedic.

Credits

1

EMS 257 : Paramedic Applied Pharmacology

This course introduces basic and advanced pharmacological agents and concepts, with an emphasis on drug classifications and the knowledge and skills required for safe, effective medication administration. Medication pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be evaluated for most medicines used in the pre-hospital setting. Students will also learn how to establish various routes of medication administration and procedures for administering medications via these routes. Students will also demonstrate mathematic computations for various drug and solution dose administration problems.

Credits

2

EMS 266 : Advanced Cv Life Support Provider

The Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Provider Course provides students with concepts related to advanced cardiovascular life support. Content areas include acute myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular pharmacology, electrophysiology, various rhythm disturbances, and techniques of management of cardiovascular emergencies. The course is taught in accordance with national standards and requires specific student competencies. Students successfully completing this course will receive appropriate documentation of course completion.

Credits

1

EMS 267 : Basic Trauma Life Support Provider

This course provides students with theory and demonstration in advanced trauma care and management. Content areas include mechanism of trauma, trauma assessment, airwaybreathing-circulation management, trauma to various portions of the body, multiple system trauma, and load-and-go situations. The course is taught in accordance with national standards and requires specific student competencies. Students successfully completing this course will receive appropriate documentation of course completion.

Credits

1

EMS 269 : Pediatric Medical Life Support

This course provides students with theory and simulated case studies in pediatric care. Content areas include recognition of pediatric pre-arrest conditions; shock; basic life support; oxygenation and airway control; newborn resuscitation; essentials in pediatric resuscitation; dysrhythmia recognition and management; vascular access; and use of medications. This course is taught in accordance with national standards and requires specific student competencies. Students successfully completing this course will receive appropriate documentation of course completion.

Credits

1

EMS 273 : Ekg Interpretation

This course is designed for students in health related professions desiring the knowledge to interpret singular lead electrocardiograms. The course provides concepts in the interpretation of electrocardiograms to include an overview of the electrical conduction of the heart as well as the identification of all categories of dysrhythmias. Upon course completion, students should be able to identify various types of cardiac rhythms.

Credits

2