Emergency Medical Services Technology - Paramedic Pathway | VHCC

Program Pathway | HEALTH

Emergency Medical Services Technology - Paramedic Associate of Applied Science Degree

info@vhcc.edu | (276) 739-2438 | vhcc.edu Revised 08/10/2023

Emergency Medical Services Technology Paramedic Associate of Applied Science Degree

A paramedic is a health care professional whose primary role is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. The purpose of this program is to produce competent entry-level Paramedics who can provide the highest level of out-of-hospital care.

Students are eligible for National Registry testing and certification upon successful completion of this program. This credential leads to Paramedic licensure or certification in Virginia and most other states. This program is offered in cooperation with Southwest Virginia Community College. While completing this degree, you will also earn Emergency Medical Technician Plus and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Career Studies Certificates.

Program Length 1 Year (5 Semesters) Career Opportunities Ambulances, fire and rescue services, hospitals and various government agencies.

Is this Pathway for you? Yes, if you are interested in

helping people with medical issues in emergency situations.

G3 Eligible This program is G3 eligible. G3 Scholarships cover tuition and fees for Virginia residents of modest income who are pursuing high demand careers.

Tuition & Fees At only $162.11 per credit hour, you’ll

save $10K to $22K, in tuition costs alone, by starting at VHCC! Out-of-state students living within a 30-mile radius qualify for in-state tuition.

Bill Akers, EMS Program Director, has 45 years of experience in emergency medicine and 36 years as an EMS educator. In addition to the college program, he works as a flight paramedic with VSP Med-Flight.

Bill Akers

Program Coordinator bill.akers@sw.edu | 276-964-7729

YOUR PROGRAM PATHWAY | 5 Semesters First Semester (Summer) EMS 100 CPR for Healthcare Providers EMS 111 Emergency Medical Technician EMS 120 EMT – Basic Clinical BIO 145 Human Anatomy and Physiology TOTAL CREDITS

1 7 1 4 13

After successful completion of EMS 111 and EMS 120, the student is eligible to register for the EMT exam provided by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). CPR Certification is completed during EMS 111.

Second Semester (Fall) SDV 101 College Success Skills EMS 121 Preparatory Foundations EMS 123 EMS Clinical Preparation EMS 125 Basic Pharmacology EMS 126 Basic Pharmacology Lab EMS 127 Airway, Shock and Resuscitation EMS 128 Airway, Shock and Resuscitation Lab EMS 135 Emergency Medical Care EMS 136 Emergency Medical Care Lab EMS 141 Cardiovascular Care EMS 142 Cardiovascular Care Lab TOTAL CREDITS

1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 14

After successful completion of this semester, the addition of EMS 170 will prepare the student to register for the Advanced EMT exam provided by the NREMT.

Third Semester (Spring) EMS 137 Trauma Care EMS 138 Trauma Care Lab EMS 139 Special Populations EMS 140 Special Populations Lab EMS 170 ALS Internship I EMS 175 Paramedic Clinical Experience I ENG 111 College Composition I PSY 230 Developmental Psychology TOTAL CREDITS

1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 12 Continued 

Fourth Semester (Fall) EMS 202 Paramedic Pharmacology EMS 203 Advanced Patient Care EMS 204 Advanced Patient Care Lab EMS 206 Pathophysiology for Health Professions EMS 247 Paramedic Clinical Experience II EMS 248 Paramedic Comprehensive Field Experience TOTAL CREDITS

2 2 2 3 1 2 12

Fifth Semester (Spring) EMS 210 EMS Operations EMS 212 Leadership and Professional Development EMS 165 Advanced Cardiac Life Support EMS 163 Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support EMS 167 Emergency Pediatric Care EMS 164 Advanced Medical Life Support EMS 216 Paramedic Review EMS 249 Paramedic Capstone Internship HUM Humanities Elective EEE General Education Elective TOTAL CREDITS

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 15

After completion of this curriculum, the student is eligible to register for the Paramedic exam provided by NREMT.

#1 College in the Region

Virginia Highlands Community College was recently voted the #1 College in the Region through the Best of Bristol Awards Program – from a group of two and four year colleges and universities in southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee.

vhcc.edu | (276) 739-2438 | info@vhcc.edu PO BOX 828, Abingdon, VA 24212 VHCC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.

Si necesita ayuda en espanol, marque el numero 276-739-2559.