Program Info
Program Description
Offers a career pathway for individuals seeking an entry-level position with a full-time municipal fire service. Course work provides a combination of academic education with necessary hands-on skills. Degree recipients earn an Associate in Applied Science, an EMT-Basic license, paramedic certification, Firefighter I & II certification, and valuable field/clinical experience.
To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.
- Maintain equipment and facilities.
- Respond appropriately to calls.
- Demonstrate scene control.
- Conduct a proficient primary and secondary patient assessment.
- Identify and manage patient illness and/or injury.
- Determine when to provide pt. transport.
- Effectively document the incident and patient information.
- Perform post-incident management tasks.
- Perform professionally within the firefighter/paramedic field.
- Provide proof of successful testing for Fire Ground Training.
EMT-Basic Certification and Paramedic Certification
The paramedic program at HFC reflects the new national curriculum, and all successful completers are eligible to take the National Registry certification exams. The College reserves the right to change policies and course requirements in effect at the time of catalog publication. The EMS portion of the program is constantly updated to meet the changing needs of the profession. This is reflected in the high success rate of our graduates both on the National Registry and in practice.
If an individual is a convicted felon, it could disqualify him/her from obtaining the necessary National Registry Certification. Visit the National Registry EMS Policy for details. After obtaining a National Registry Certificate, individuals can apply for a Michigan EMS License, which is necessary to practice EMS as a profession. If an individual is a convicted felon, questions regarding potential licensure should be directed to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, EMS & Trauma Division.
Admission Requirements
The first year of studies for the Emergency Medical Service degree is open enrollment as long as the student is eligible for placement in ENG-131.
All first year EMS courses must be taken concurrently and passed concurrently with a C or better. Students wishing to enter the second year of studies, which includes the paramedic core, must apply through the EMS office in Health Careers. This level of studies begins every FALL semester. Acceptance to the College is granted to most applicants and does not constitute nor guarantee admission to the paramedic core studies. Early advising for course sequencing is highly recommended. Students are accepted into the program based on a “first-qualified, first-accepted” basis. All potential placements must be registered on the wait list in the EMS office.
For EMS 200-level courses, students will need to satisfy the following prerequisites:
- EMT-Basic MI License
- Eligible for placement into MATH 110.
- Eligible for placement into ENG 131.
- Complete one of the following.
BIO-134 with a C or better OR
BIO-233 and BIO-234 both with a C or better.
A grade of C or better is required for successful completion of all courses (core and support) listed in the EMS program. Students not receiving a C or better cannot continue in the program until they have successfully repeated the course(s) earning a C or better. Students who do not successfully complete all co-requisite courses in the EMS Program cannot continue with that same class of students. Therefore, students who fail must repeat all coursework (200+ and up) from the beginning up to the point that they failed, and then progress in sequence with the new class of paramedic students. Students who need to repeat paramedic must request to be put on the waiting list for the following year. Re-admittance is subject to seat capacity and prior performance.
Course name | Credit Hours |
---|---|
Natural Science: Complete one
|
5.00 |
Health Appraisal
- Each student is required to complete a Health Appraisal Form, copies of which are available in the Health Careers Office. This appraisal includes a physical, blood titers (to validate immunity to childhood immunizations), TB test, Hepatitis B and boosters if necessary. Actual lab results from the titers need to be submitted with the appraisal to the program. The cost for this appraisal is in addition to the basic tuition and fee schedule.
- Students in the EMS program must meet the same physical and mental requirements as emergency medical technicians. A representative job profile, also available in the Health Careers Office, lists the specific physical and mental requirements as well as the environmental conditions of the occupation.
- Students must have basic health insurance coverage during clinical courses. Students must maintain a current Basic LIfe Support CPR certification from the American Heart Association.
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen
- Consistent with Section 20173 of the Michigan Public Health Code and the requirements of our clinical affiliates, a Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen* is required for all students in EMS programs prior to beginning clinical assignments. The cost for this test is in addition to the basic tuition and fee schedule.
- Students with felony convictions on their record should not enroll into the program as we have a zero-tolerance stance from our clinical affiliates. If such individuals are granted an expungement, then they would be considered for eligibility. Students with a history of alcohol related driving offenses or felony convictions will find it difficult if not impossible to gain employment in public safety careers.
- Students who are not cleared for clinical through the Health Appraisal, Criminal Background Check, and Drug Screen will not be able to complete the EMS education programs.
Uniforms
- Uniform shirts are provided through the program at the Basic EMT level. Pants, shoes, work belt, stethoscope and exam fees are in addition to the basic tuition and fee schedule.
Job Placement
- Information about career placement and job success is available through either the Health Careers Office or the College’s Job Placement Office.
Program Requirements
Course name | Credit Hours |
---|---|
EMS-100: EMT-Basic Fundamentals | 9.00 |
EMS-107: Basic Procedures Lab | 1.50 |
EMS-109: EMT-Basic Clinical Externship | 2.00 |
EMS-200: Paramedic I | 3.00 |
EMS-206: Paramedic Procedures Lab I | 1.50 |
EMS-210: Paramedic II | 3.00 |
EMS-216: Paramedic Procedures Lab II | 2.00 |
EMS-220: Paramedic III | 4.00 |
EMS-226: Paramedic Procedures Lab III | 1.00 |
EMS-230: Paramedic IV | 4.00 |
EMS-240: Paramedic V | 3.00 |
EMS-290: Advanced Clinical I | 4.00 |
EMS-295: Advanced Clinical II | 4.00 |
EMS-299: Advanced Clinical III | 4.00 |
Firefighter/Paramedic Certification: Complete Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification |
9.00 |
NOTE: A minimum of 'C' grade is required in all Required Core Courses.
*The 55 minimum credit hours includes the 9 credit hours for the Firefighter I and Firefighter II certificates that are available at HFC from the training academy. To receive this credit on your transcript see the EMS program director after you have completed your first semester of paramedic studies (200-level or higher EMS course work).
Course name | Credit Hours |
---|---|
ENG-131: Introduction to College Writing | 3.00 |
ENG-132: College Writing and Research | 3.00 |
Computer Technology: Complete one |
3.00 |
3.00 |