Emergency Medical Services, AAS

This program is based in San Angelo.

Note: A criminal background clearance is required before acceptance into this program and a 10 panel drug screening is required prior to clinicals.

Paramedic

The Paramedic must be a confident leader who can accept the challenge and high degree of responsibility entailed in the position. The Paramedic must have excellent judgment and be able to prioritize decisions and act quickly in the best interest of the patient, must be self-disciplined, able to develop patient rapport, interview hostile patients, maintain a safe distance, and recognize and utilize communication unique to diverse multicultural groups and ages within those groups. Must be able to function independently at an optimum level in a non-structured environment that is constantly changing. The Paramedic must be able to deal with adverse and often dangerous situations which include responding to districts known to have high crime and mortality rates. Self-confidence is critical, as is a desire to work with people, solid emotional stability, a tolerance for high stress, and the ability to meet he physical, intellectual and cognitive requirements demanded by this position. All Paramedic students who graduate from a CoAEMSP (Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions) approved program are eligible to sit for the certification exams to become a Paramedic.

Clinical

Clinical experiences provide detailed education, training, and work-based experience in direct patient/client care at a clinical site which focuses on surgical procedures. 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.

Admission Criteria Specific to the Emergency Medical Services Program

Howard College’s Emergency Medical Services program is accredited by the commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Committee of Accreditation o fEducation 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). Program applicants who have met the criteria for admission to Howard College will be evaluated according to specific program criteria outlined for admission into the Emergency Medical Services program. All admission criteria are outlined in the Emergency Medical Services admission packet and may be obtained at a Health Professions Orientation or through the program director’s office. College entrance exam passing scores are required to gain entrance into the academic courses.

Completion of the following is required prior to application into the program. A grade of “C” or better is required in all Prerequisite courses in order to apply to the program. Program application deadline is June 1st of each year:

• EMSP 1160  and EMSP 1501   to include passing certification testing and obtaining state EMT certification
• BIOL 2101  and BIOL 2301  OR BIOL 2401  (must be completed by June 1)
• BIOL 2102  and BIOL 2302  OR BIOL 2402  (must be completed by June 1)
• BIOL 2120  and BIOL 2320  OR BIOL 2420  (must be completed by June 1)
• HPRS 1206  (must be completed by June 1)

Program acceptance is based upon the criteria outlined in the admission packet, regarding the above Prerequisite requirements, and admission interviews. Students with the highest scores will be admitted into the program. Program admission will be limited to 10 students per year. If admitted into the program a grade of “C” or better is required in all course work in order to progress in the program.

Admission Requirements

Submit to the Emergency Medical Services program (San Angelo campus only):

1. Student must attend Health Professions Orientation
2. Completed Emergency Medical Services application for admission

All of the above information must be received into the Emergency Medical Services program chair’s office by June 1 in order to be considered for admission into the program. A personal interview may also be required.

Final Acceptance into the Emergency Medical Services program will require that prior to the first class day the student will have completed the following:

1. A physical examination form (completed after June 1 of the year of admission)
2. Applicant must provide proof of immunizations required by the Texas Health Department, Rule 97.64 (additional immunizations may be required by some clinical facilities)
3. Current CPR certification (Provider American Heart Association)
4. Successful completion of a criminal background clearance

Health Insurance

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

Information

CoEMSP 8301 Ladeview Parkway       Suite 111-312 Rowlett, TX 75088 (214) 703-8445 Fax: (214) 703-8992 www.coaemsp.org

CAAHEP 25400 US Highway 19 North Suite 158 Clearwater, FL 33763 www.caahep.org

Gainful Employment

The US Department of Education requires colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” Howard College is committed to creating an educated workforce by offering occupational programs that lead to gainful employment.

Gainful Employment Information for Paramedic, Certificate Level 1