Emergency Medical Technician Programs
New 2012/2013 Paramedic Application and Paramedic Applicant Letter are now available online. They may be submitted starting March 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.
MANDATORY EMT ADVISING SESSION FOR FALL 2012
- JUNE 4, 2012 @ 1pm – 3pm (Caudill Auditorium Room 119)
- JUNE 4, 2012 @ 6PM – 8PM (Carpeted Dining Room Wood Campus Center)
These will be the only advising sessions offered for fall registration.
It is hard to imagine the scene of a bad car accident, natural disaster or medical crisis at home without an ambulance in the picture. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics have become a vital part of both our public safety and health care systems. Responding to emergencies, administering care and saving lives is exciting. It also is difficult and stressful. But this demanding profession is always in demand, especially in cities and private ambulance services. Volunteer State Community College offers training for entry-level EMTs as well as paramedics.
Volunteer State Community College offers both entry-level and advanced training for emergency responders. Students also have the option of continuing their studies and earning an Associate’s of Applied Science degree.
Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
The Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (IV) technical certificate program is the required course of studies designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as professional medical care providers in a pre-hospital setting such as an ambulance service.
The EMT-Basic technical certificate program involves four courses completed in one semester. These are prerequisite courses for persons considering entry into the Paramedic Technical Certificate and the A.A.S. Degree programs.
- Basic emergency medical service theories
- EMS clinical practice
- Anatomy and physiology for pre-hospital providers
- Introduction to emergency pharmacology
The EMT-Basic (IV) duties include the recognition, assessment, and basic management of medical, trauma, and environmental emergencies under the direction of on or off-line medical control. The courses follow the most current U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum. Students who successfully complete the course work and clinical components of the program are eligible for the Tennessee Initial EMT-Basic Licensing Examination and the EMT-IV Extended Skills Licensing Examination.
Courses are offered at several off-campus locations that may include Nashville and Clarksville. Students enrolled must successfully complete all didactic and clinical components of the program to be eligible to take professional licensing examinations.
EMT-Basic Enrollment Requirements
The EMT-Basic Certificate is available to all students who are at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED. Students should be physically able to perform heavy lifting or strenuous activity for extended periods of time and must demonstrate the ability to perform these tasks during classroom and clinical periods. Up to 16 students are accepted into each section of the course each semester offered.
Applicants to the entry-level program must have a high school diploma or GED and be able to handle heavy lifting and strenuous activity. Applicants must also pass a background check, see Student Background Check below for details.
Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
The Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic technical certificate program is designed to prepare competent entry level graduates in emergency medical care to serve in emergency care settings such as an ambulance service. Using the most current U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum, discussions include the application of advanced patient assessment, problem recognition, and advanced treatment modalities for medical, trauma, and environmental emergencies. Clinical exposures in local hospitals assure appropriate experience in dealing with emergencies for all age groups including pediatrics and geriatrics.
The Paramedic program involves 47 course hours and takes three concurrent semesters (approximately 1 full year) after completion of the basic EM coursework. The summer term includes 12 credit hours of clinical training in the field
Those considering the Paramedic Technical Certificate program must take all the EMT-Basic courses. Students are admitted to the Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic technical certificate program through a competitive selection process. The program is not open to general enrollment, and applicants must have an EMT-Basic license in Tennessee. Individuals wishing to be selected must complete the following application process:
- Application to the College submitted by April 30
- Application to the Paramedic Program by March 31
- ACT/SAT scores submitted (students under 21 years of age) or take the College Placement Examination (Compass)
- Basic EMT Knowledge Examination (see Paramedic Applicant Letter for important dates)
- Psychological Profile (see Paramedic Applicant Letter for important dates)
- Personal Interview
- Applicants must also pass a background check, see Student Background Check below for details.
Student Background Check
Effective September 1, 2005, students seeking enrollment in designated Allied Health programs requiring participation in clinical training in area hospitals and related clinics/agencies must provide evidence of a passing score on a background check prior to official acceptance/enrollment into the respective program. Either the failure to provide the required background check results by the due date established or the receipt of anything other than a passing score on the background check will make a student ineligible for enrollment in the respective program. Background checks are performed at the student’s expense. Find more detailed information about Student Background Checks.
What to Do Next
- Download the EMT Program Information Packet
- Apply to the College
- Explore the links on the left side of this page
EMT—Paramedic Gainful Employment Information
What job(s) might I get with this degree?
How long will it take me to complete this program?
| Normal Time to Completion | Percent of 2009-2010 Graduates Completing in Normal Time |
|---|---|
| 4 Semesters | 44% |
What are the chances of getting a job when I graduate?
| Number of 2009-2010 Graduates | Percent of 2009-2010 Graduates Employed in Field |
|---|---|
| 25 | 95% |
Note: Placement data is gathered six months after graduation. Graduates are exempted from the placement rates in accordance with the standards of the Higher Education Authorization Act due to the following reasons: enrollment in further education, military service, a medical condition that prevents the graduate from working in his/her field of study, family or home responsibilities that prevent the graduate from working in his/her field of study.
How much will this program cost?
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $4,777.50 | $18,446.50 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,380.69 | $1,380.69 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | Not offered | Not offered |
How much do students borrow to pay for the program?
| Source of Funds | Median Amount for 2009-2010 Graduates |
|---|---|
| Median Debt for 2009-2010 Graduates | $5,308 |
| Median Debt from Title IV Loans | $5,308 |
| Median Debt from Other Sources | $0 |
Note: Median loan amounts reflect the total borrowed from entry at the institution to completion of this program.