Emergency Medical Services

(Note: A criminal background clearance is required before acceptance into this program and a 10 panel drug screening is required prior to clinical and periodically throughout the program.)

The Howard College Emergency Medical Services Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for Emergency Medical Services (CoAEMSP) and is certified by the Bureau of Emergency Management, a division of the Texas Department of state Health Services (DSHS). Certification levels consist of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and Paramedic certification. A student may stop at any one certification level or continue through each level to the next. 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.

Application Process

All San Angelo students should attend a Health Professions Orientation as the first step in the application process. The initial meeting will determine applicant options and set a time line for completing acceptance requirements. The EMT program begins each spring semester. Students interested in applying to the paramedic program need to submit application by August 5. Paramedic program selection is made by August 10. All applicants must have fulfilled admissions criteria by application submission date.

Admission Criteria

Applicant must attend a Howard College Health Professions Orientation.
A physical examination (must be completed after acceptance into program and prior to first day of class).
Applicant must provide proof of immunizations required by the Texas Health Department, Rule 97.64. Additional immunizations may be required by some clinical facilities.
Successful clearance of criminal background investigation.
An application to the Emergency Medical Services program must be submitted to the Howard College Health Professions Division by August 5.
Proof of emergency medical technician or advanced emergency medical technician certification (For paramedic program applicants only).
Results of Paramedic Assessment Test (For paramedic program applicants only).
Results of Paramedic Math Assessment (For paramedic program applicants only).

Progress Standards

Once accepted into the program, students must complete all required courses within two years. In order to progress from one course to another, students must earn a letter grade of “C” or better in all required courses. Students who do not make this progress may reapply for the next cycle of the program but will be considered as new applicants and will be subject to the current curriculum and application process. Students who do not successfully complete a course must repeat that course. In addition, for any co-requisite classes associated with that class, the student must take the final examination and pass with a 75 or higher in order to not have to repeat the co-requisite.
If a 75 is not obtained, the student will be required to audit the co-requisite class to ensure he/she maintains knowledge and skills necessary for future success. Students may not attempt the program more than twice.

THE PRECEDING CRITERIA DO NOT ACT AS SUBSTITUTE TO ANY HOWARD COLLEGE ADMISSION POLICY-PROGRESS STANDARDS

Expense in Addition to Tuition, Texts, and Fees/Uniforms and Supplies

Students must purchase appropriate uniforms necessary for participation in clinical activities. Uniform consists of approved polo shirt, black pants, shoes, watch with a second hand, and a stethoscope. Cost of uniforms varies dependent upon style, size, and quality of the items.

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 rotation. Any EMT student wishing to ride out with San Angelo Fire Department will be required to pay an additional $10.00/semester for ambulance internship hours. Any Paramedic student wishing to ride out with San Angelo Fire Department 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)

Health Insurance

Students enrolled in the Emergency Medical Services Program are required to purchase health insurance prior to the beginning of clinical experiences and to maintain such insurance for the duration of their enrollment.

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

Certificates

Paramedic, Certificate Level I