Emergency Medical Services

(Note: A criminal background clearance is required before acceptance into this program and a drug screening may be required.)

The Emergency Medical Services (Emergency Medical Technology/Paramedic) is certified by the Bureau of Emergency Management, a division of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Certification levels consist of the following: EMT/Certification, Advanced EMT Certification, and Paramedic Certification. A student may stop at any one certification level or continue through each level to the next. The student must pass the Texas DSHS skills and computer-based exam in order to become certified at each level. The Texas Paramedic now has the opportunity to become a Licensed Paramedic rather than a Certified Paramedic if he or she has an Associate Degree in EMS or higher degree.

Policies Specific to the Emergency Medical Technology Program Minimum Admission Requirements:

Applicants must complete and provide the following:

San Angelo students must attend Health Professions orientation.
Howard College application for admission.
Official high school or GED transcripts.
Official college transcripts of any other institutions attended.
EMS program application.
Successfully complete a criminal background clearance.
A physical examination (completed after June 1 of the year of admission, or after November 1 if entering the program in the Spring).
Proof of immunizations required by Texas Health Department, Rule 97.64. Additional immunizations may be required by some clinical facilities.

IMPORTANT: The student must be a certified EMT/Basic before being allowed to enroll in the Paramedic level.

Students enrolling in EMSP 1501 must present an American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR card to the instructor within three weeks after the class start date.

Certification Policy

The student must receive a minimum grade of 75 in lecture portion of each course as well as complete all clinical/internship hours and state/national registry skills examinations before being allowed to sit for the Texas DSHS computer-based examination. A DSHS application, application fee, and fingerprints are required before a candidate is certified as a Texas EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic.

Liability Insurance

EMS students are required to purchase liability insurance during college registration. Arrangements to purchase insurance at a reduced group rate will be made through the Howard College Business Office in conjunction with the payment of other required fees.

Clinical

Clinical experiences provide detailed education, training, and work-based experience in direct patient/client care at a clinical site. All clinical experiences are unpaid external learning experiences that are required for program completion. Students may not be substituted for staff personnel while performing clinical program requirements. Students and faculty provided by Howard College are not and will not be acting as servant agents or employees of a medical facility during program clinical rotations.

Clinical Requirements

Hospital clinicals and ambulance field internship hours are required for all courses. A student uniform is required and out-of-town travel to clinicals and internships may be required. Any Basic EMS student wishing to ride out on the San Angelo Fire Department ambulance will be required to pay an additional $10.00/semester for ambulance internship hours. Any Advanced EMS student wishing to ride out on the San Angelo Fire Department ambulance will be required to pay an additional $15.00/semester for ambulance internship hours. This fee will be paid to Howard College (included in the tuition/fee payment).

Textbooks, Syllabus, and Equipment

The textbook and syllabus are required parts of each course. The syllabus is a printed copy of the rules and policies of the EMS Department. It contains all necessary paperwork. There is also a variety of required equipment and clinical uniform to be purchased. If the student already has the required equipment, it is not necessary to purchase another set.

This program may be scheduled as a day or evening program. The total number of semesters may vary depending on campus site. See class schedule.

Programs

Degrees

Certificates