Mission Statement
The Emergency Medical Services Program offers three levels of certification: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and Paramedic. Since its beginning at WCC in 1976, the Emergency Medical Services program has prepared over 3,400 individuals for employment in local health care agencies or service to their local communities. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP), the Emergency Medical Services program seeks to meet healthcare needs of the local community. In addition to training EMS professionals, the EMS program also offers courses for individuals, from the lay rescuer to those in other professions.
The EMT level of training is completed in one semester and allows the entry-level EMT to manage both medical and trauma patients. The AEMT level of training is also completed in one semester and allows those at an EMT level to advance in skill preparation and job opportunities. Specific tasks that those certified at this level are allowed to perform vary greatly from state to state, but students learn advanced skills such as the use of advanced airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications. The Paramedic level of certification requires three additional semesters of program training and is combined with degree and/or certificate-required academic courses. Paramedics provide more extensive pre-hospital care than do EMTs or AEMTs. In addition to carrying out the procedures of the other levels, paramedics administer medications orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use monitors and other complex equipment. However, like the AEMT, procedures paramedics are permitted to do vary by state. EMTs, AEMTs and Paramedics work in a variety of settings including industry, fire-rescue, ambulance, aircraft and emergency centers. The goal of the EMS Department is “to prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.