EMT - Paramedic
Emergency medical technicians, also known as EMTs, provide one of the most vital services in the medical field. They provide emergency medical care during life-and-death situations. There are different levels of emergency care providers, all with specific skills and responsibilities.
At Rend Lake College, you can receive training as a First Responder, the most basic level of emergency care but not considered as an EMT. You can also receive training as an EMT-Basic, the initial entry into EMT training; or as an EMT-Paramedic. All EMTs are state licensed, and most are nationally certified / registered / licensed as well. Each level of EMT training requires additional classroom hours, clinical hours, and continuing education requirements. Each level must take State Boards (which are now National Standards), and the test is both written and 'practical,' meaning you must demonstrate your 'hands on' skills in various scenarios. Like Nursing Boards, most of the testing is based on the 'best right answer'.
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Each level of EMT training marks an increase in an ability to do invasive / sterile procedures or administer certain types of drugs. For example: an EMT-B can administer oxygen and in some states, other medications like epinephrine for allergic reactions. When you get to the Paramedic level you can administer more emergency medications, start IVs, administer first-line cardiac drugs and initiate advanced airways.
Tying in EMT services with various community services may be one setting where an EMT will work. In some areas, members of the Police Department or Fire Department are also required to be EMS certified. Some ambulance companies are affiliated with hospitals, others with cities or towns, others are privately owned.
All 50 states have credentialing requirements for EMTs. As a result, salary levels are affected most by education, experience, geographic region, and work setting. EMTs that are employed by fire and police departments often receive additional benefits.
Degrees & Certificates in EMT Paramedic
Community & Corporate Education Division
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN — Certificate
Occupational Certificate
This program is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health and meets current IDPH standards for training as an Emergency Medical Technician. Successful completers of the certificate may apply to take the Illinois Department of Public Health EMT-B examination. Learning will occur in classroom, laboratory, hospital and field settings.
► Total = 9 Hours
Gainful Employment Information
- EMT 1201 Emergency Medical Technician (9)
EMT PARAMEDIC — Certificate
Occupational Certificate
This program is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health and meets current IDPH standards for training as an Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic. Successful completers of the certificate may apply to take the Illinois Department of Public Health EMT-P examination. Learning will occur in classroom, laboratory, hospital and field settings. Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in EMTP courses.
Gainful Employment Information
► Total = 45 Hours
Prerequisites (9 Cr. Hrs.)
- EMT 1250 – Emergency Medical Technician (9)
Licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician through the Division of Emergency Medical Services and Highway Safety.
First Semester (6 Cr. Hrs.)
Second Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)
Third Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)
Fourth Semester (9 Cr. Hrs.)
EMT PARAMEDIC — Degree
Associate in Applied Science Degree}
This program, approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, is designed to prepare students for a career as a paramedic. Career opportunities exist in the field of medical services, including medical and ambulance services, fire departments and industrial settings. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the Illinois Department of Public Health Paramedic licensure examination. Learning will occur in classroom, laboratory, hospital and field clinical settings. Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in EMTP courses.
► Total = 68 Hours
Prerequisites
- EMT 1250 – Emergency Medical Technician 9
Licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician through the Division of Emergency Medical Services and Highway Safety.
First Semester (7 Cr. Hrs.)
Second Semester (13 Cr. Hrs.)
Third Semester (6 Cr. Hrs.)
Fourth Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)
Fifth Semester (18 Cr. Hrs.)
Sixth Semester (9 Cr. Hrs.)
1 Prerequisite course(s) may be required based on test scores.
Program Outcome Data
Paramedic Program Outcome DataGraduate year: 2017
Retention:
The Retention threshold set by CoAEMSP is 70% and based on the percentage of students who started on the enrollment date (Summer 2016) and who completed/graduated (Summer 2017)
Retention rate: 70%- 14 out of 20 students successfully completed the 2016-2017 Paramedic Program
State Written Examination:
State written Exam threshold is 70% and is set by the State. The outcome standard require the whole graduation cohort (14) to be divided by the number who passed on the first attempt (11).
State Exam pass rate: 12 out of 14 students tested for the State Exam. 11 out of the 12 who tested passed on their first attempt. The pass rate is 78.6%.
Positive Job Placement:
The Positive (Job) Placement threshold set by CoAEMSP is 70%. Positive Job Placement means that the graduate is employed full or part time or volunteers in the profession or a related field. It also means that graduates are continuing his/her education or serving in the military.
Positive Job Placement rate: 92.9%
Program Outcomes
Emergency Medical Technician
- Assess and evaluate signs and symptoms of patient.
- Provide prompt and efficient emergency medical care.
- Arrange the orderly transfer of patient care at the receiving medical facility.
- Document accurate records.
- Operate and maintain the emergency vehicle and its equipment.
EMT Paramedic
- Communicate patient assessment to appropriate members of the health care team.
- Develop patient needs assessment and prioritize patient needs
- Evaluate and document patient responses.
- Implement emergency care for patients in compliance with the scope of practices as outlined in the EMS National Standard Curriculum.
- Participate in assessment by observing, collecting, recording, and reporting objective and subjective data in an accurate and timely manner.
- Plan care for patients utilizing established patient assessment results
Articulation
Articulation agreements document a pathway between Rend Lake College and the following schools for the academic program(s) listed.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
AAS Degree in Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic to BS Degree in Public Safety Management
Accreditation
The Rend Lake College paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
Faculty & Staff
Director of Paramedic Program
Phone Extension: 1419
Building: RLM
Office: 201
Allied Health Division
Phone: (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1251
Email:
Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: Allied Health
Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: Allied Health
