Emergency Medical Technician – EMT
Location
1555 University Blvd at Texas State University, Round Rock, Texas 78665
Prerequisites
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMS PROGRAM COURSES.
Entry requirements:
Students must:
- Be 17 years or older PRIOR to the start of clinical rotations and field internships. Students who do not meet this requirement will need to postpone their enrollment until the next class.
- Have a high school diploma or GED, or a senior in high school with a letter from a school counselor confirming your expected graduation date.
- TDSHS certifies those who are 18 or older that have passed the NREMT exam and have either a high school diploma or GED.
- Submit proof of required immunizations.
- Obtain a background check through Verified. Information on how to create your Verified account will be provided at registration.
- Score at the 8th grade reading and writing level on entrance summary for EMT.
Description
Emergency Medical Technician
This course teaches students how to work on an ambulance as an EMT. It is geared toward students with little or no previous training in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) who would like to either work on an ambulance as an EMT or who will continue their training at the Paramedic level. This course allows graduates to meet the requirements by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection that all firefighters must be either an ECA or EMT.
Topics
Topics covered:
- Preparation and Public Health
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology
- Pathophysiology
- Life Span Development
- Airway Management, Respiration, and Artificial Ventilation
- Patient Assessment
- Pharmacology
- Shock and Resuscitation
- Medical Emergencies
- Trauma Emergencies
- Special Patient Populations
- EMS Operations
Skills assessed (does not include all skills that will be taught and tested in class):
- Splinting
- Oxygen administration
- Bag valve mask
- Bleeding control and shock management
- Medication administration
- Assessment of the medical patient
- Assessment of the trauma patient
- Vital signs
Audience
This class is designed for anyone with an 8th grade reading/writing level or higher who wants to pursue a career in EMS, the fire department or work in a hospital emergency department setting.
Other Information
Course expectations:
- Students are required to be in uniform for each class. Points are deducted for uniform infractions.
- This is a demanding course that requires 1-2 hours of additional reading and study time per chapter outside of class. There is a significant amount of reading that is required in order to successfully complete the course. Students who have other commitments are cautioned to plan their schedule carefully before committing to the demands of the class.
- Communication for much of the course is done via email. You’ll need daily access to a computer with an Internet connection and an email account. It is also helpful to have a printer available.
- The public demands professional behavior from EMS personnel and that discipline starts in the classroom. Therefore, course behavioral policies are strictly enforced.
Functional Job Description
The duties of an EMS professional are physically and mentally demanding. As such, the Texas Department of State Health Services REQUIRES that all student enrolling in an EMS program read the following information related to the Functional Job Description.
See the end of the page to read the TDSHS Functional Job Description.
CPR Card
You must obtain an American Heart Association CPR/AED card no more than 6 month prior to the start of class. Austin/Travis County EMS CPR Division: (512) 978-0175. Williamson County EMS CPR Division: 512-943-3736.
Background Check
A code will be emailed to you that will allow you to process an online background check through Verified Credentials.
If you have concerns about whether current or previous criminal convictions will prevent you from being certified, click HERE to view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Fingerprint card
Please use the following link to schedule your fingerprint card appointment. Be sure to select”Fingerprint Card” at the bottom of the page. Do not select digital fingerprinting.
Vaccines
The following vaccines are needed:
- One injection of tetanus diphtheria pertussis (Tdap) is required within the last 10 years
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- One dose of Varicella Zoster (Chickenpox) if done before your first birthday or two doses if done after your thirteenth birthday
- A recent Tuberculosis Test (TB) within 180 days of the start date of class
- A series of 3 injections of Hepatitis B (Hep-B) vaccine is required to be completed prior to any patient contact (clinical time)
- Currently Covid vaccines are recommended, not required. This may change at the clinical and field internship site’s discretion.
Please follow the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for administration of this vaccine and its time frames. Your first injection of Hep-B will need to be completed prior to enrollment.
For more information, see the FAQ page.
Uniforms
Uniforms are required to be worn at all scheduled classes. Uniforms consist of the following:
The uniform consists of:
- Navy EMS pants
- Black Belt
- Black boots capable of being shined. Tennis shoes or patent leather shoes/boots are NOT acceptable.
- EMTS Academy shirt with an EMTS Academy patch on the right shoulder. Students may wear an EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate patch on their left shoulder if they have their Texas EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate certification.
You can use the above items if you already own them. However, the EMTS Academy shirt and patch will need to be purchased through GALLS. They have the order sheet for EMTS on file.
GALLS
826 Rutland Drive
Austin, TX 78758
Phone: (512) 302-5541
Open Monday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm
If you have questions about NREMT disability accommodations, please visit https://nremt.org/nremt/about/policy_accommodations.asp
Graduation Requirements
The following are requirements that must be met in order to receive a course completion certificate:
- Attendance at all scheduled classes is required. A student who misses more than 10% of the scheduled course will NOT be eligible to receive a course completion certificate.
- Obtain a grade of 80% or higher for the entire class
- Pass ALL written exams with a 75% or higher and maintain an 80% exam average. See course syllabus for details.
- Follow all course policies and procedures including behavior/attitude requirements.
- Be on time for all scheduled classes.
- To be eligible to take the NREMT you must pass the EMT course.
Additional graduation requirements may be required. See the course syllabus for details.
Paramedic
Course Information
Prerequisites
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.
Entry requirements:
Students must:
- Be 18 years or older PRIOR to the start of clinicals. Students who do not meet this requirement will need to postpone their enrollment until the next class.
- Have a high school diploma or GED, or a senior in high school with a letter from a school counselor confirming your expected graduation date.
- TDSHS certifies those who are 18 or older that have passed the NREMT exam and have either a high school diploma or GED.
- Submit proof of required immunizations.
- Obtain a background check through Verified. Information on how to create your Verified account will be provided at registration.
- A student who has at a National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) EMT certification or higher will be conditionally enrolled in the course. The student must obtain their Texas EMT-Basic certification in the time specified by the program or their enrollment may be terminated with no refund of tuition or fees. See “Refund Policies” for further information.
- Must have a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card and maintain it throughout the course.
- Must pass a physical stating that the student meets the requirements of the Functional Job Description for the EMT-Paramedic.
- Students will be required to submit a background investigation with no arrests or convictions that would prohibit them from being certified in the State of Texas. For more information, students need to check with the Texas Department of State Health Services about convictions and certifications. If you have concerns about whether current or previous criminal convictions will prevent you from being certified, click HERE to view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
- Score at the 10th grade reading and writing level on the entrance summary for Paramedic.
Turn the completion certificates into the Admissions Office.
- Complete the online FEMA course IS-5.A An introduction to Hazardous Materials: www.training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-5.a
- Complete the free online FEMA course IS-100.B An introduction to Incident Command Systems: www.training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.b
- Complete the free online FEMA course ICS 200.B ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents: www.training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.b
- Complete the free online FEMA course IS-700.A National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction: www.training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.a
- Complete the free online FEMA course ICS 800B National Response Framework, An Introduction: www.training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-800.b
Description
Paramedic
This course teaches students how to work on an ambulance as a Paramedic. It is geared toward students those students who want the highest level of pre-hospital Emergency Medical Services training. This course meets or exceeds the requirements for Paramedic under the new National Education Standards and Texas Department of State Health Services.
Students who successfully meet all of the requirements of the class will receive a certificate of completion and be eligible to take the NREMT exam for Paramedic. Once certified by NREMT, a student is eligible to apply to the State of Texas and receive their State of Texas EMT-Paramedic certification.
Topics
Topics covered, but are not limited to:
- Advanced patient assessment
- Haz-Mat
- Basic pharmacology
- Shock
- Automatic external defibrillator
- Advanced airway management
- Fluid therapy
- Medication administration
- Cardiac monitoring
Skills assessed (may not include all skills that will be taught and tested in class):
- Patient Assessment-Trauma
- Adult Ventilatory Management
- Dual-Lumen Airway Device
- Dynamic Cardiology
- Static Cardiology
- Intravenous Therapy
- Intravenous Bolus Medications
- Oral Station which includes scene management, patient assessment, patient management, interpersonal relations, and integration (verbal report, field impression, and transport decision).
- Pediatric Ventilatory Management
- Pediatric Intraosseous Infusion
- Patient Assessment-Medical
- Ventilatory Management
- Intravenous (IV) Therapy
- Spinal Immobilization-Seated Patient
- Spinal Immobilization-Supine Patient
- Bleeding Control/Shock Management
Audience
This class is designed for anyone with an 10th grade reading/writing level or higher who is currently certified as an EMT with the NREMT and TDSHS and who wants to pursue a career or volunteer as a Paramedic in EMS, a fire department, or in the hospital Emergency Department setting.
Other Information
Course expectations:
- This is a DEMANDING course that requires 1-2 hours of additional reading and study time per chapter outside of class. There is a significant amount of reading that is required in order to successfully complete the course. Students who have other commitments are cautioned to plan their schedule carefully before committing to the demands of the class.
- Students are required to be in uniform for each class. Points are deducted for uniform infractions.
- Communication for much of the course is done via email. Students need daily access to a computer with an Internet connection and an email account. It is also helpful to have a printer available.
- The public demands professional behavior from EMS personnel and that discipline starts in the classroom. Therefore, course behavioral policies are strictly enforced. Unprofessional behavior can result in a student being dropped from the program.
Functional Job Description
The duties of an EMS professional are physically and mentally demanding. As such, the Texas Department of State Health Services REQUIRES that all student enrolling in an EMS program read the following information related to the Functional Job Description.
See the end of the page to read the TDSHS Functional Job Description.
CPR Card
You must obtain an American Heart Association CPR/AED card no more than 6 month prior to the start of class.
Background Check
A code will be emailed to you that will allow you to process an online background check through Verified Credentials.
If you have concerns about whether current or previous criminal convictions will prevent you from being certified, click HERE to view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Fingerprint card
Please use the following link to schedule your fingerprint card appointment. Be sure to select”Fingerprint Card” at the bottom of the page. Do not select digital fingerprinting.
Vaccines
You will upload the following vaccines to your Verified Credential’s Account:
- One injection of tetanus diphtheria pertussis (Tdap) is required within the last 10 years
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- One dose of Varicella Zoster (Chickenpox) if done before your first birthday or two doses if done after your thirteenth birthday
- A recent Tuberculosis Test (TB) within 180 days from the start date of class
- A series of 3 injections of Hepatitis B (Hep-B) vaccine is required to be completed prior to any patient contact (clinical time)
- Currently Covid vaccines are recommended, not required. This may change at the clinical and field internship site’s discretion.
Click here to access the Verified Credential’s Account set-up instructions.
Please follow the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for administration of this vaccine and its time frames. Your first injection of Hep-B will need to be completed prior to enrollment.
For more information, see our FAQ page.
Uniforms
Uniforms are required to be worn at all scheduled classes. Uniforms consist of the following:
The uniform consists of:
- Navy EMS pants
- Black Belt
- Black Boots capable of being shined. Tennis shoes or patent leather shoes/boots are NOT acceptable.
- EMTS Academy shirt with an EMTS Academy patch on the right shoulder. Students may wear an EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate patch on their left shoulder if they have their Texas EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate certification.
- White crew neck undershirt without print
You can use the above items if you already own them. However, the EMTS Academy shirt and patch will need to be purchased through Galls. They have the order sheet for EMTS on file.
GALLS
826 Rutland Drive
Austin, TX 78758
Phone: (512) 302-5541
Open Monday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm
Textbook
Paramedic students will be using:
- Purchase through Jones and Bartlett as a package Sanders’ Paramedic Textbook 5th ed., Online Access, and Anatomy and Physiology for the Prehospital Provider 2nd ed. ISBN: 9781284195026
- Purchase through Pearson: Basic Arrythmias 8th ed. ISBN 10: 0134380991
Graduation Requirements
The following are requirements that must be met in order to receive a course completion certificate:
- Attendance at all scheduled classes is required. A student who misses more than 10% of the scheduled course will NOT be eligible to receive a course completion certificate.
- Obtain a grade of 80% or higher for the entire class
- Pass ALL written exams with a 75% or higher and maintain an 80% exam average. See course syllabus for details.
- Abide by all course policies and procedures including behavior/attitude requirements.
- Be on time for all scheduled classes.
- Satisfactorily complete all clinical and field internship time and submit required documentation as required.
- To be eligible to take the NREMT you must pass the Paramedic course.
Additional graduation requirements may be required. See the course syllabus for details.
How to Register
Fill out the registration form and select the appropriate course from the drop down menu.
If you have questions about NREMT disability accommodations, please visit https://nremt.org/nremt/about/policy_accommodations.asp
Functional Position Description ECA/EMT/EMT-I/EMT-P
The following information is from the Texas Department of State Health Services website. For more information, please visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/emstraumasystems/JOBDESC.sHTM for more information.
Introduction
We are providing the following position description for ECA/EMT/EMT-I/EMT-P. This should guide you when giving advice to anyone who is interested in understanding what qualifications, competencies and tasks are required of the ECA/EMT/EMT-I/EMT-P.
Qualifications
Successfully complete a department approved course. Verification of skills proficiency and achievement of a passing score on the written certification examination.
Must be at least 18 years of age. Generally, the knowledge and skills required show the need for a high school education or equivalent. Ability to communicate verbally; via telephone and radio equipment; ability to lift, carry, and balance up to 125 pounds (250 with assistance); ability to interpret written, oral and diagnostic form instructions; ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations; ability to be unaffected by loud noises and flashing lights; ability to function efficiently throughout an entire work shift without interruption; ability to calculate weight and volume ratios and read small print, both under life threatening time constraints; ability to read English language manuals and road maps; accurately discern street signs and address numbers; ability to interview patient, family members, and bystanders; ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such; ability to converse in English with coworkers and hospital staff as to status of patient. Good manual dexterity, with ability to perform all tasks related to highest quality patient care. Ability to bend, stoop, and crawl on uneven terrain; and the ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture. Ability to work in low light and confined spaces.
COMPETENCY AREAS
ECA Emergency Care Attendant
Must demonstrate competency handling emergencies utilizing all Basic Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with all behavioral objectives in the DOT/First Responder Training Course and the FEMA document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Materials”, and to include curricula on aids to resuscitation, blood pressure by palpation and auscultation, oral suctioning, spinal immobilization, patient assessment, and adult, child, and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The automated external defibrillator curriculum is optional.
EMT Emergency Medical Technician
Must demonstrate competency handling emergencies utilizing all Basic Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with all behavioral objectives in the DOT/EMT Basic curriculum and the FEMA document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Materials”. EMT 1994 curriculum includes objectives pertaining to the use of the pneumatic antishock garment, automated external defibrillator, epinephrine auto-injector and inhaler bronchodilators.
EMT-I Intermediate
Must demonstrate competency handling emergencies utilizing all Basic and Advanced Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with all behavioral objectives in the DOT/EMT Basic and EMT-I curriculum. The curriculum will include objectives pertaining to endotracheal intubation.
EMT-P Paramedic
Must demonstrate competency handling emergencies utilizing all Basic and Advanced Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with all behavioral objectives in the DOT/EMT Basic, EMT-I curriculum, and the EMT-P curriculum. The EMT-P has reached the highest level of pre- hospital certification.
Description of Tasks
Receives call from dispatcher, responds verbally to emergency calls, reads maps, may drive ambulance to emergency site, uses most expeditious route, and observes traffic ordinances and regulations.
Determines nature and extent of illness or injury, takes pulse, blood pressure, visually observes changes in skin color, makes determination regarding patient status, establishes priority for emergency care, renders appropriate emergency care (based on competency level); may administer intravenous drugs or fluid replacement as directed by physician. May use equipment (based on competency level) such as but not limited to, defibrillator, electrocardiograph, performs endotracheal intubation to open airways and ventilate patient, inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment to improve patient’s blood circulation.
Assists in lifting, carrying, and transporting patient to ambulance and on to a medical facility. Reassures patients and bystanders, avoids mishandling patient and undue haste, searches for medical identification emblem to aid in care. Extricates patient from entrapment, assesses extent of injury, uses prescribed techniques and appliances, radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services, provides light rescue service if required, provides additional emergency care following established protocols.
Complies with regulations in handling deceased, notifies authorities, arranges for protection of property and evidence at scene. Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported, reports nature and extent of injuries or illness to that facility, asks for direction from hospital physician or emergency department. Observes patient en route and administers care as directed by physician or emergency department or according to published protocol. Identifies diagnostic signs that require communication with facility. Assists in removing patient from ambulance and into emergency facility. Reports verbally and in writing observations about and care of patient at the scene and in-route to facility, provides assistance to emergency staff as required.
Replaces supplies, sends used supplies for sterilization, checks all equipment for future readiness, maintains ambulance in operable condition, ensures ambulances cleanliness and orderliness of equipment and supplies, decontaminates vehicle interior, determines vehicle readiness by checking oil, gas, water in battery and radiator, and tire pressure, maintains familiarity with all specialized equipment.
EMTS Academy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088