Emergency Medical Services

Programs

Courses

EMS 100: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I

Credits 1
Theory Credit
1

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.

Prerequisites

As required by program.

EMS 100 (Optional): Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I

Credits 1

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.

Prerequisites

As required by program.

EMS 103: First Aid

Credits 1
Theory Credit
1

This course introduces students to initial first aid care. Topics include scene safety, universal precautions, activation of the EMS system, assessment, airway/breathing/circulation, shock/ injuries/bleeding, medical emergencies, and altered level of consciousness. Upon course completion, students should have knowledge to manage various emergencies requiring first aid techniques.

Prerequisites

Current training in CPR and/or as required by program.

EMS 106: Medical Terminology for Health Professions

Credits 2
Theory Credit
2

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.

Prerequisites

As required by program.

EMS 107: Emergency Vehicle Operator Ambulance

Credits 1
Theory Credit
1

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.

Prerequisites

Must present a valid driver’s license as required by program.

EMS 107 - Optional: Emergency Vehicle Operator Ambulance

Credits 1
Theory Credit
1

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.

Prerequisites

Must present a valid driver’s license as required by program.

EMS 118: Emergency Medical Technician

Credits 9
Theory Credit
6
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
9

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.

EMS 119: Emergency Medical Technician Clinical

Credits 1
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
1

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.

EMS 150: 24 Hour EMT Refresher

Credits 2
Theory Credit
2

This course provides students with theory in review of the current National Standard Training Curriculum (NSTC) for the EMT. 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 NHTSA. Students are required to complete specific competencies, as outlined by the NHTSA, for successful course completion.

EMS 155: Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

Credits 7
Theory Credit
5
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
9

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 advance 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.

Prerequisites

EMS 118 and EMS 119

Corequisites

EMS 156

EMS 156: Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Clinical

Credits 2
Preceptorship Credits
63

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.

Prerequisites

EMS 118 and EMS 119

Corequisites

EMS 155

EMS 240: Paramedic Operations

Credits 2
Theory Credit
1
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
2

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.

Prerequisites

EMS 189 or BIO 201

Corequisites

EMS 241, EMS 242, EMS 243 and EMS 244

EMS 241: Paramedic Cardiology

Credits 3
Theory Credit
2
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
2

This course introduces the cardiovascular system, cardiovascular electrophysiology, and electrocardiographic monitoring. This course further relates pathophysiology and assessment findings 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 pre-hospital 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.

Prerequisites

EMS 189 or BIO 201

Corequisites

EMS 240, EMS 242, EMS 243 and EMS 244

EMS 242: Paramedic Patient Assessment

Credits 2
Theory Credit
2
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
2

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, and techniques of the physical examination, patient assessment, clinical decision making, communications, documentation and assessment based management.

Prerequisites

EMS 189 or BIO 201

Corequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 243 and EMS 244

EMS 243: Paramedic Pharmacology

Credits 1
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
2

This course introduces basic pharmacological agents and concepts with an emphasis on drug classifications and the knowledge and skills 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.

Prerequisites

EMS 189 or BIO 201

Corequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 242 and EMS 244

EMS 244: Paramedic Clinical I

Credits 1
Preceptorship Credits
33

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.

Prerequisites

EMS 189 or BIO 201

Corequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 242 and EMS 243

EMS 245: Paramedic Medical Emergencies

Credits 3
Theory Credit
2
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
2

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

Prerequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 243 and EMS 244

Corequisites

EMS 246, EMS 247 and EMS 248

EMS 246: Paramedic Trauma Management

Credits 3
Theory Credit
2
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
2

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.

Prerequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 243 and EMS 244

Corequisites

EMS 245, EMS 247 and EMS 248

EMS 247: Paramedic Special Populations

Credits 2
Theory Credit
1
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
2

This course relates pathophysiology and assessment findings 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.

Prerequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 242, EMS 243, EMS 244

Corequisites

EMS 245, EMS 246 and EMS 248

EMS 248: Paramedic Clinical II

Credits 3
Preceptorship Credits
93

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.

Prerequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 242, EMS 243, EMS 244

Corequisites

EMS 245, EMS 246 and EMS 247

EMS 253: Paramedic Transition to the Workforce

Credits 2
Theory Credit
1
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
2

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

Prerequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 242, EMS 243, EMS 244, EMS 245, EMS 246, EMS 247 AND EMS 248

Corequisites

EMS 254, EMS 255 and EMS 256

EMS 254: Advanced Competencies for the Paramedic

Credits 2
Theory Credit
1
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
2

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.

Prerequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 242, EMS 243, EMS 244, EMS 245, EMS 246, EMS 247 AND EMS 248

Corequisites

EMS 253, EMS 255 and EMS 256

EMS 255: Paramedic Field Preceptorship

Credits 5
Preceptorship Credits
153

This course provides field experiences in the pre-hospital 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 pre-hospital 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.

Prerequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 242, EMS 243, EMS 244, EMS 245, EMS 246, EMS 247 AND EMS 248

Corequisites

EMS 253, EMS 254 and EMS 256

EMS 256: Paramedic Team Leadership

Credits 1
Skills Laboratory/Clinical Practice
1

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 entrylevel paramedic.

Prerequisites

EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 242, EMS 243, EMS 244, EMS 245, EMS 246, EMS 247 AND EMS 248

Corequisites

EMS 253, EMS 254 and EMS 255

EMS 257: Paramedic Applied Pharmacology

Credits 2
Theory Credit
1
Experimental Laboratory Credit
1

This course introduces basic and advanced pharmacological agents and concepts, with an emphasis on drug classifications and the knowledge and skills required of a paramedic 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.

 

EMS 266: Advanced CV Life Support

Credits 1
Theory Credit
1

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.

EMS 267: Internal Trauma Life Support

Credits 1
Theory Credit
1

This course provides students with theory and demonstration in advanced trauma care and management. Content areas include mechanism of trauma, trauma assessment, airway -breathingcirculation 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.

EMS 269: Pediatric Medical Life Support

Credits 1
Theory Credit
1

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.

EMS 273: EKG Interpretation

Credits 2
Theory Credit
2

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.