Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs prepare students to become Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs), and Paramedics. EMS programs teach students the acute, critical differences in physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical symptoms pertaining to prehospital emergency medical care. They work in clinics, ambulances, emergency rooms, fire departments, aircraft, and other industries.
The Basic EMT program is one semester long and allows the entry-level EMT to manage medical and trauma patients. The Advanced EMT (AEMT) program is also one semester long and allows those at an EMT level to advance in skill preparation and job opportunities. The Paramedic certification requires three additional semesters.
Students may earn a short certificate, a long certificate, or an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services. Upon successfully completing the Basic EMT program, which is one semester long, the student is eligible to take the National Registry Examination and apply for licensure to practice as an EMT. Upon successfully completing the AEMT program, which is also one semester long, the student is eligible to take the National Registry Examination and apply for licensure to practice as an AEMT.
The Paramedic level is the third level of the EMS program and is three semesters long. The three levels of EMS lead to a Short Certificate, a Long Certificate, or an Associate in Applied Science Degree. Upon successfully completing the Paramedic program, the student is eligible to take the National Registry Examination for Paramedics. Completing the certification examination allows the student to apply for licensure to practice as a Paramedic.
The EMT and AEMT certificate programs are fully approved and accredited by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services. The Paramedic program is currently not accredited by CoAEMSP.
Area I: Written Composition
Area II: Humanities and Fine Arts
Area III: Natural Science and Mathematics
Area IV: History, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Area V: Career and Technical Courses
Additional Degree Requirements
Notes
- Must complete pre-requisite BIO 103 unless waived.
Additional Fees
Students enrolled in the EMS programs are responsible for additional costs and fees related to the program and not included in tuition. Costs include, but are not limited to, physicals, background checks, random drug screening, clinical uniforms, software access fees, and required clinical supplies. See fees section listed in Student Handbook.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for the EMS program are subject to change. Please contact your advisor for additional information or visit www.cv.edu.
EMT Level requires:
- Unconditional admission to the College.
- Achieve and maintain a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 if no prior college work exists.
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
- Age of 18 years or older within one (1) year of course completion.
- Compliance with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook and EMS Student Handbook.
- Meet essential functions required for EMS.
- Compliance with additional requirements as outlined by clinical agencies such as background checks, drug screen, immunization requirements, and a physical.
AEMT Level requires:
- Completion of 1-7 as listed for EMT level.
- Current National Registry license for EMT.
- Unencumbered Alabama licensure as an EMT.
- Minimum cumulative college GPA 2.0 for last semester credit hours of coursework completed at a regionally accredited college.
Paramedic Level requires:
- Meet the qualifications listed above for EMT and AEMT level admission requirements.
- Minimum 2.5 GPA for last semester credit hours of coursework completed at a regionally accredited college.
- Current Alabama license as an AEMT, or successfully completed AEMT from an accredited college by SACSCOC or other regional accrediting agencies. (Students who took EMT/ AEMT from a non-accredited program should meet with the Program Director)
Progression Requirements
- In order to progress in the EMS program, the student must:
- Achieve a grade of “C” or better in all required EMS courses.
- Meet clinical agencies’ requirements for clinical experiences.
- Meet essential functions for EMS.
- Maintain all program health requirements.
- Receive a satisfactory rating for all laboratory, administrative, and clinical components.
- A total of two (2) unsuccessful attempts in two separate semesters (D or F) in the EMS program will result in dismissal from the program for one semester.
- Students dismissed from the program are eligible to appeal to the Program Director for reinstatement.
- A student must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the current institution and meet all of the other requirements for the program to be considered for reinstatement.
- No more than a 12-month interruption in matriculation through the Paramedic level course sequence.
Readmission Requirements
Students who interrupt progression through the program must appeal to the Program Director for reinstatement.
- Due to clinical space limitations, reinstatement is not guaranteed. All EMS program admission standards at the time of reinstatement must be met.
- Compliance with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
- No more than a 12-month interruption in matriculation through the Paramedic level course sequence.
Transfer Policy
Students desiring to transfer into the EMS program must meet minimum admission/progression standards.
- Must possess a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA at time of transfer.
- Previous CVCC students must have a minimum 2.0 at CVCC.
- Must be a student in good standing and eligible to return to the EMS program.
- Complete at least 25% of the total program at the CVCC.
- Acceptance of transfer students into the EMS program is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Students who have been enrolled in other programs are evaluated individually to determine appropriate placement.