Catalog 2010-2011 - South Texas College

Emergency MedicalTechnologyEmergency Medical TechnologyThe Emergency Medical Technology programwill prepare students to deliver out-of-hospitalemergency care at the scene of an accident or amedical emergency. A student graduating with anEMT Certificate or Associate of Applied Sciencedegree will be prepared to fill positions of EMTBasic, EMT Intermediate, and EMT Paramedic.Emergency Medical Technicians typically serve asvital members of the Emergency Medical ServicesTeam who can, with competence, use their medicalskills, relieve suffering, and reduce injury severity,and death.EMT Basic Certificate: Instruction at thebasic level will serve as a foundation for the othertwo advanced levels, as well as concentrate onlearning general anatomy and physiology andgeneral patient assessment. Students will learnand practice lifesaving procedures such asoxygen administration, spinal motion restriction,bandaging, splinting, and administration of certainmedications.EMT Intermediate Certificate: At theintermediate level students will continue to usethe foundation they learned as an EMT Basic. Theywill study in depth the areas of patient assessment,anatomy and physiology of the circulatory systemand the respiratory system. They will thenpractice and perform advanced invasive lifesavingprocedures such as intravenous (IV) administrationand endotracheal intubation.EMT Paramedic Certificate: The highest levelthat an EMT can achieve is the level of paramedicwhere the student will concentrate on a morecomprehensive patient assessment and learnadvanced medical skills such as electrocardiograminterpretation and treatment. The student will alsolearn and will be able to administer the most currenttrends in pharmacological treatments, as well aslearning the latest care administered in AdvanceCardiac Life Support.Students are prepared for both the written andpractical Texas Department of State HealthServices and National Registry Certification examsat each level or Licensure at the Paramedic levelonly. These exams measure proficiency andcompetency in the standards set by the TexasDepartment of Health. Completion of the EMTcourses will allow the student to be eligible for TDHCertification, thus making the student employablein many settings such as Hospital EmergencyRooms, Industrial Sites, Air Ambulances, PrivateEMS Providers, Public EMS Providers, City FireDepartments, and Special Rescue Groups.EMT Associate of Applied Science: Students maycomplete the certificate in two and four semesters.Courses taken for the certificate program maybe applied toward completion of the two-yearAssociate of Applied Science Degree in EmergencyMedical Technology. Upon completion of thedegree, the student is eligible to apply to the stateof Texas as a Licensed Paramedic.Program Entry RequirementsA. All applicants must meet general admissionrequirements to South Texas College.B. High School graduation or GED equivalent.C. Be 18-years of age for clinical/practicumexperience.D. Degree option: Demonstrate proficiency instate-mandated general knowledge contentthrough approved means; i.e., Texas HigherEducation Assessment (THEA), ACCUPLACER,ASSET, and/or COMPASS with programspecific exemptions accepted.E. Certificate options: Complete collegeplacement test with minimum scores orcomplete developmental classes with a gradeof “C” or better or course placement as follows:- Completion of READ 0080 or equivalent.- Completion of ENGL 0081 or equivalent.- Completion of MATH 0085 or equivalent.F. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a4.0 scale for all courses completed at STCG. Hold a valid Texas Driver’s License.H. Satisfy program specific requirements forclinical practice.I. Submit a completed EMT programapplication.J. Participate in mandatory EMT Programadvisement prior to applicationK. Attend Mandatory Hospital Orientation.Selection ProcessStudents accepted on a first-come first-servebasis until maximum class size is reached. Awaiting list is established for next available classif more applications are received than can beaccommodated.Program ApplicationProgram applications are available from EMTfaculty and will be discussed and completed duringadvisement prior to registration. Please contactthe EMT Program office at (956)872-3178 foradditional information.NOTE: For up-to-date program information, admissionrequirements and selection process see: http://nah.southtexascollege.edu/emergencymedical/index.htmlGraduation RequirementsTo earn the Emergency Medical TechnologyCertificate or Associate of Applied ScienceDegree, a student must meet all college graduationrequirements and complete all coursework asprescribed in the degree plan with a minimumgrade of “C”.ADVISORY COMMITTEERobert Alfaro, EMT-P, Director of Operations, MTSAmbulance; Sally Carpenter, RN, Rio Grande RegionalHospital; Chris Sanchez, Training Officer, Weslaco FireDepartment/EMS; Jason Delatree, EMT-P, Director, ValleyEMS; Noel Garcia, EMT-P, EMS Director, Starr CountyEMS; Roberto M. Gonzalez, MD,General Surgeon, EMTProgram Starr County Medical Director, Private Practice;Albert Rodriguez, EMT-P, Director of Operations, MedCare EMS; Martin Garcia, Director of Operations, STATEMS; Leroy Ramirez, Director of Operations, Zapata EMS;Noemi Sanchez, EMT-I, TDH EMS Program Director; JaimeSolis, EMT-P, Director of Operations, Pro-Medic; Dr. JavierCortinas, MD, EMT Program Medical Director, PrivatePractice TDH EMS SpecialistNursing and Allied Health205