EMT Program

Emergency Medical Technician 

Certificate of Completion: 28 credits. Advising Guide (link) 

Career Description

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are unique health care professionals that are categorized in a variety of ways beginning at the First Responder level and progressing to the highest EMS level, Paramedic. They provide critical advanced medical care and transportation in out-of-hospital settings with physician oversight. Emergency Medical Services are a component of the overall health care system, delivering care as part of a system intended to attenuate the morbidity and mortality associated with sudden illnesses and injury.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) have an entry-level knowledge and training in basic life support measures and providing out-of-hospital medical care to those with perceived urgent needs as well as non-urgent calls for service.  EMTs are able to begin on-scene treatment while awaiting the arrival of a paramedic. All levels of EMT’s must be able to exercise considerable judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills while providing care to the patient in any setting in which they became ill or injured. EMT’s function in both volunteer and paid roles.

Course of Study

The 28 credit Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate is the first step in CGCC’s Paramedicine program ladder, preparing graduates to enter the field as EMTs. The certificate is fully contained in the Paramedic AAS degree, and, as such, all coursework in the certificate may be applied to completion of the AAS degree. The EMT Certificate and the Paramedic AAS are recognized statewide and the coursework is transferable between all community colleges where they are offered in Oregon.
The National Registry of EMT’s (NREMT) is the national certifying body for all levels of EMT. Successful completion of the NREMT didactic and practical exams will allow the student to then apply for individual state certification.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

1. Effectively assess patients and make critical decisions in a variety of settings at an EMT entry-level.
2. Competently treat, extricate, and transport patients in a variety of settings at an EMT entry-level.
3. Apply for positions as EMTs with ambulance services either paid or volunteer.
4. Effectively communicate, interact and work appropriately with patients and their family, fellow emergency workers, hospital health care providers, and supervisors.
5. Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior as an EMS health care provider.
6. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary to sit for the state and National Registry EMT exams.

Prerequisites

• MTH 65 Beginning Algebra (4 credits) or equivalent placement
• WR 115 Introduction to Expository Writing (4 credits) or IRW 115 Critical Reading and Writing (5 credits) or equivalent placement
• Current HCP CPR card
• Valid Driver's License