Emergency Medical Services Professional

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Emergency Medical Services Professional

www.odessa.edu/dept/ems

Faculty: Bobby Valles, director Fire/EMS; Oscar Menchaca, EMS instructor/coordinator; Kyle Vaught, clinical

coordinator, Quentin Dobmeier, Fire/EMS instructor; Jeff Pinnow, medical director

The Emergency Medical Services Professional program prepares students for careers in paramedicine, a fast- paced and challenging health care field. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics provide immediate, life-saving care to the sick and injured. Entry-level First Responders (EMT-Basic) are trained to provide basic emergency medical care because they tend to be the first persons to arrive at the scene of an incident. Many firefighters, police officers, and other emergency workers have this level of training. An EMT-Basic is trained to care for patients at the scene of an accident and while transporting patients by ambulance to the hospital under medical direction. The EMT-Paramedic has more advanced training and assessment skills that allows the

administration of intravenous fluids, interpreting electrocardiograms and giving lifesaving shocks to a stopped heart, as well as performing advanced airway techniques and using equipment to assist patients experiencing respiratory emergencies.

Odessa College offers two levels of EMT training: Basic and Paramedic. The Odessa College Emergency Medical Services Professional Program grants two levels of awards:

a level one certificate in Emergency Medical Services Professional – Paramedic and an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services

Professional. All courses in the level one certificate apply to the associate’s degree. Depending upon individual circumstances, students may be required to repeat courses or complete competency exams prior to acceptance into the program they stop-out after completing an award or are transferring from another institution.

The program combines classroom and/or online

instruction with supervised laboratory, clinical/practicum, and ambulance experiences to prepare the graduate for certification. EMT classes are exciting and challenging courses. Students are expected to spend a large amount of time outside of class studying and applying the material that is presented in class.

With department approval, students can take EMT-Basic classes even if unsure of future plans to continue with paramedic level training. Although students do not earn an Odessa College certificate at this level, successful completers can become certified through the

credentialing agency. Skills include: CPR, bandaging and splinting, traction splints, mechanical aids to breathing (oxygen, bag-mask, suctioning, oral and nasal airways, and pocket masks), patient assessment, vital signs, spinal immobilization, automated external defibrillation, pneumatic anti-shock garment, epinephrine auto-injector, and nebulizer bronchodilators. Certification requirements:

Minimum age 18; high school diploma or GED; EMT-Basic skills proficiency verification by training program; state- administered National Registry certification exam; and submission of EMS Personnel Certification Application and fee.

With department approval and certification as a DSHS EMT-Basic provider, students can continue with paramedic level training. Odessa College includes intermediate and advanced skills in the paramedic curriculum. Skills include:

EMT-Intermediate skills, medication administration, EKG interpretation, cardioversion, and cardiac arrest

simulation (megacode). Certification requirements:

Minimum age 18; high school diploma or GED; DSHS EMT- Basic, Intermediate and Paramedic skills proficiency verification by training program medical director; and written and practical exam administered by National Registry. A licensed paramedic has an associate’s degree (or higher) and tests on the same skills for EMT-

Paramedic.

Once a student successfully completes requirements for the National Registry, he or she may become certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services EMS Division. Both levels of certification require periodic and specific recertification hours and activities to continue to practice as an emergency medical technician.

Students considering registering for emergency medical services professional (EMSP) courses must have approval from the EMS department before enrolling. Enrollment in paramedic level EMSP courses is limited, and students are urged to contact the department early to ensure

acceptance to the program. Applicants, or those seeking additional information, should contact the EMS

department or a Student Success Coach in the Help Center. The student must purchase required equipment and supplies in order to participate in laboratory and clinical/practicum training. To obtain a list of the necessary equipment, the student should contact the department director or one of the faculty members before enrolling in the class.

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Students enrolled in any EMSP practicum or clinical course are required to have liability insurance as well as health and accident insurance each semester. Liability insurance is included in course fees. If the student does not have a health and accident policy, student health insurance can be purchased. Students must have a health check-up and pass a background check and a drug screen to participate in the EMS program. All immunizations must be on file in the EMS department, in compliance with state regulations, before the student can participate in clinical or practicum courses.

Emergency Medical Services Professional Course of Study for Certificate of Completion

Level I certificates are Texas Success Initiative (TSI) waived.

PREREQUISITE Semester Hrs EMSP 1160 Clinical – Emergency Medical

Technology/Technician 1 EMSP 1501 Emergency Medical

Technician – Basic 5

BIOL 2404 Human Anatomy & Physiology 4 HPRS 1106 Essentials of Medical

Terminology I 1

Total Semester Hours 11

Current Texas certification as an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) is required in order to progress to paramedic level courses.

Level I Certificate – Paramedic

The 1 hours specified in prerequisites plus the following courses:

Semester Hrs EMSP 1164 Paramedic Practicum I 1 EMSP 1165 Paramedic Practicum II 1 EMSP 1338 Introduction to Advanced

Practice 3

EMSP 1355 Trauma Management 3

EMSP 1356 Patient Assessment & Airway Mgmt.

3 EMSP 2164 Paramedic Practicum III 1

EMSP 2238 EMS Operations 2

EMSP 2243 Assessment Based Management 2

EMSP 2348 Pharmacology 3

EMSP 2430 Special Populations 4 EMSP 2434 Medical Emergencies 4

EMSP 2444 Cardiology 4

CLASS BEGINNING SPRING SEMESTER EMSP 1356 Patient Assessment and

Airway Management 3

EMSP 1338 Introduction to Advanced

Practice 3

EMSP 1164 Paramedic Practicum I 1 EMSP 2348 Emergency Pharmacology 3

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WHOLE SUMMER

EMSP 1165 Paramedic Practicum II 1 EMSP 2434 Medical Emergencies 4

EMSP 1355 Trauma Management 3

EMSP 2238 EMS Operations 2

Total Summer Hours 10

FALL SEMESTER

EMSP 2243 Assessment Based Management 2 EMSP 2430 Special Populations 4 EMSP 2164 Paramedic Practicum III 1

EMSP 2444 Cardiology 4

Certificate Total Hours 42

Associate of Applied Science Degree Emergency Medical Services Professional

The degree plan for the AAS combines all courses for the Level I Certificate and the following general education course requirements:

General Education Requirements

Semester Hrs 18 BCIS 1305 Business Computer

Applications 3

ENGL 1301 Composition I OR

ENGL 2311 Technical & Business Writing 3

PSYC (from OC Core) 3

Government (from OC Core) 3

MATH 1333 Contemporary Mathematics II 3 Language, Philosophy, & Culture OR Creative Arts (from

OC Core) 3

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Courses

EMSP 1160 Clinical – Emergency Medical Technology/Technician

(51.0904) (0-5) 1 hour

A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. (ICO 6) Prerequisites: Consent of department director. Corequisites: EMSP 1501.

EMSP 1164 Paramedic Practicum I (51.0904) (0-9) 1 hour

Practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college, and student. (ICO 6) Prerequisites: Consent of department director. Corequisite: as sequenced by semester of entry.

EMSP 1165 Paramedic Practicum II (51.0904) (0-9) 1 hour

EMSP 1338 Introduction to Advanced Practice (51.0904) (2-2) 3 hours

Fundamental elements associated with emergency medical services to include preparatory practices, pathophysiology, medication administration, and related topics. Lab fee required. (ICO 5) Prerequisites: Consent of department director. Corequisite: as sequenced by semester of entry.

EMSP 1355 Trauma Management (51.0904) (2-2) 3 hours

Knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of patients with traumatic injuries. Lab fee required. (ICO 1) Prerequisites: Consent of department director.

Corequisite: as sequenced by semester of entry.

EMSP 1356 Patient Assessment and Airway Management (51.0904) (2-2) 3 hours

Knowledge and skills required to perform patient

assessment, airway management, and artificial ventilation.

Lab fee required. (ICO 1) Prerequisites: Consent of department director. Corequisite: as sequenced by semester of entry.

EMSP 1501 Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (51.0904) (3-7) 5 hours

Preparation for certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).Lab fee required. (ICO 1) Prerequisites:

Consent of department director. Corequisites: EMSP 1160 EMSP 2164 Paramedic Practicum III

(51.0904) (0-7) 1 hour

EMSP 2238 EMS Operations (51.0904) (1-2) 2 hours

Knowledge and skills to safely manage multi-casualty incidents and rescue situations; utilize air medical resources; identify hazardous materials and other specialized incidents. (ICO 4) Prerequisites: Consent of department director. Corequisite: as sequenced by semester of entry.

EMSP 2243 Assessment Based Management (51.0904) (1- 3) 2 hours

A capstone experience covering comprehensive, assessment based patient care management. Includes specific care when dealing with pediatric, adult, geriatric, and special-needs patients. (ICO 1) Prerequisites: Consent of department. Corequisite: as sequenced by semester of entry.

EMSP 2348 Emergency Pharmacology (51.0904) (3-1) 3 hours

Utilization of medications in treating emergency situations. (ICO 2) Prerequisite: Consent of department director. Corequisite: as sequenced by semester of entry.

EMSP 2430 Special Populations (51.0904) (3-3) 4 hours

Knowledge and skills necessary to assess and manage ill or injured patients in diverse populations to include

neonatology, geriatrics, and other related topics. (ICO 1) Prerequisite: Consent of department director. Corequisite:

as sequenced by semester of entry.

EMSP 2434 Medical Emergencies (51.0904) (3-4) 4 hours

Knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of patients with medical emergencies, includes medical overview, neurology, gastroenterology, immunology, pulmonology, urology, hematology, endocrinology, toxicology, and other related topics. Lab fee required. (ICO 3) Prerequisites: Consent of department director.

Corequisite: as sequenced by semester of entry.

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EMSP 2444 Cardiology (51.0904) (3-2) 4 hours

Assessment and management of patients with cardiac emergencies. Includes single and multi-lead ECG interpretation. Lab fee required. (ICO 1) Prerequisites:

Consent of department director. Corequisite: as sequenced by semester of entry.