Program Overview

Program Description

The EMS Program offers a curriculum leading to an Associates in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology and eligibility to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examinations for EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic. The program also incorporates a Certificate in Emergency Medical Technician Basic and a Certificate in Emergency Medical Technician Advanced that students can earn as they progress through the degree. Students will also receive various other industry related certifications such as EMS Vehicle Operator Safety (EVOS), All-Hazards Disaster Response (AHDR), Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), and Psychological Treatment of EMS Patients (PTEP) just to name a few. Students will receive instruction through a process known as the Flipped-Classroom Model, which includes online lectures, live video lectures, flexible lab scheduling with high-fidelity / realistic simulations, clinical rotations at area hospitals, and field internships with local EMS agencies. Students who successfully complete the EMS Program can gain employment in the Emergency Medical Services, various departments within hospitals, and other specialized professions that utilize the skills obtained.

Program Philosophy

The primary goal of the EMS system is to serve those in need of immediate pre-hospital medical interventions or transportation. The EMS program at Aiken Technical College believes that such a system should have a foundation of knowledge, compassion and professionalism. Graduates of our program will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to serve the community as a competent EMS practitioner. The faculty of the EMS program believes that the EMS practitioner should be thoroughly trained to function in the capacity of a team leader in critical pre-hospital situations. This program is dedicated to providing the education and clinical/internship experiences required to equip the EMS practitioner to be competent in the rapidly changing medical environments he/she will participate in.

Program Purpose

The Emergency Medical Technician Program is dedicated to:

• Preparing the graduate to fill the role of a team leader in the delivery of quality pre-hospital health care.
• Prepare the graduate to be productive, responsible, and professional employee within the EMS systems.
• Promote ethical behaviors, social diversity, empathetic patient care and professionalism.
• Provide a learning environment which places extreme emphasis on effective education and professionalism.

Program Admission and Application

Students may enter the EMS program upon admission to Aiken Technical College and will be placed in the Certificate in Emergency Medical Technician: Basic; with considerations that:

• Applicants must have acceptable placement scores to be registered in the following: BIO 112 Basic Anatomy and Physiology, ENG 160 Technical Communications, and MAT 155 Contemporary Mathematics.
• Applicants will need to be at least 17 years of age upon completion of the second semester (EMT).
• Applicants will need to have a valid Motor Vehicle Operators License and provide a driving record from the state of issue.
• All EMS students will be required to successfully complete a Physical Agility Test during Program Orientation.
• Once admitted, students will be required to complete and pass a criminal background check and drug test prior to clinical rotations. Depending on the result of the background check and drug test, a student may not be able to participate in clinical and will be withdrawn from the program.
• Once admitted to the program, students must submit documentation for each of the following: A physical exam (College form to be provided), 2-step TB skin test or chest X-ray, Hepatitis B vaccine series, titer, or declination statement, Proof of current immunizations, to include seasonal flu
• Once admitted, students are required to have reliable transportation for clinical rotations located throughout the community and must be physically able to meet the clinical requirements.
• Once admitted, students must purchase liability insurance (cost will be added to tuition and fees).
• Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official TOEFL scores. A minimum score of 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL is required to be eligible to apply to the program. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are strongly recommended.
• Students who plan to complete the AAS.EMT will submit an application before completion of the second semester (EMT).
• Students who hold current NREMT certifications can opt to receive exemption credits by examination through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) policy.

Program Accreditation

Aiken Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC).

The Aiken Technical College EMS-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
www.caahep.org
9355 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350