The Profession and the Program

The primary role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals is providing patient care in out of hospital settings and during transfers of patients between health care facilities. They respond to requests for health care, assess patients, initiate treatment under written or verbal orders from a physician, and if needed, transport patients to an appropriate facility. Care that otherwise would be available only in an emergency department is taken into the community. EMS professionals also care for patients who are being transported between health care facilities, both in ground vehicles and on aircraft.

Employers of EMS professionals include ambulance services, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and aeromedical transport services. In some areas, EMS professionals work in hospital emergency departments and critical care units. With additional education and experience, they also fill positions in EMS systems administration, industrial health and safety, emergency management, and emergency services education.

The EMS Professions Department provides course work necessary to prepare students for practice as competent entry-level: ECAs,  EMTs, Advanced EMTs, Paramedics, and Critical Care Paramedics. Graduates are eligible for the certification exams offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and for certification or licensure by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Students who complete the Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) courses can take the certification exam offer by the Board of Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification.

A one-year program leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Services.  Advanced EMT and Paramedic Certificates of Completion are available for students who do not wish to pursue an associate’s degree. The Department offers courses at both Temple and Hutto.

Admission to the Department

To be admitted to the EMS Department courses, students must first meet the basic entrance requirements for admission to Temple College. However, admission to Temple College does not constitute automatic acceptance into the EMS coursework.

Persons enrolling in the EMT Program (EMSP 1501 /EMSP 1160 ) must:

      1. Apply for and achieve admission to Temple College.

      2. Hold a high school diploma or a High School Equivalency (HSE), including GED. (High school seniors may enroll but they must hold a high school diploma and be 18 years old to become eligible for certification.)

      3. Provide documentation of immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, rubella, varicella, influenza, and hepatitis B (Some immunization series require five months to complete. Students must have all immunization completed prior to beginning the clinical rotations).

      4. Provide documentation of a negative tuberculosis skin test or chest x-ray performed within the previous six months.

      5. Submit a completed EMT application packet according to deadlines listed in the EMT Application Packet.

      6. Satisfy drug screening requirements listed in the EMT Application Packet.

      7. Satisfy criminal background requirements listed in the EMT Application Packet.

      8. Satisfy CPR requirements listed in the EMT Application Packet.

The number of students in the EMT program is limited by spaces available for clinical experience in affiliated hospitals and EMS provider organizations. Enrollment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Persons enrolling in the Advanced EMT or Paramedic Programs must:

      1. Apply for and achieve admission to Temple College.

      2. Pass the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exam or document that you are exempt from this exam.

      3. Take the FISDAP, Paramedic Entrance Exam or its successor. All candidates should achieve the minimum passing score established by the Department (Refer to the Advanced Application Packet).

      4. Provide documentation of immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, rubella, varicella, influenza, and hepatitis B. (Some immunization series require five months to complete).  Students must have all immunizations completed prior to beginning the clinical rotations).

      5. Provide documentation of a negative tuberculosis skin test or chest x-ray performed within the previous six months.

      6. Show proof of EMT certification (NREMT or Texas DSHS). Students who have completed an EMT course and are in the process of obtaining certification are eligible to apply. Students may be admitted contingent on obtaining their certification.

      7. Submit a completed Advanced Application Packet according to deadline listed in packet.

      8. Submit copies of all relevant academic transcripts: high school, college or university, military service school, other (proprietary schools) to both Admissions and Records and the EMS Department.

      9. Submit a resume or curriculum vitae showing work history with emphasis on EMS experience.

    10. Satisfy criminal background requirements (Refer to Advanced Application Packet).

    11. Satisfy drug screening requirements (Refer to Advanced Application Packet).

    12. Satisfy CPR requirements (Refer to Advanced Application Packet). 

After a completed application portfolio is on file, an interview with at least one member of the EMS faculty will be scheduled. Notification regarding admission status will be sent within two weeks of interviews. If an application is rejected, the applicant may request a hearing before the Department Chair. Requests must be submitted in writing and must include the reasons why the application should be reconsidered.

The number of students in the program is limited by spaces available for clinical experience in affiliated hospitals and EMS provider organizations. Competitive selection of students may become necessary if the number of applicants exceeds the number of seats available. In this event, a committee consisting of the Medical Director and EMS faculty will review applicants. Factors that may be considered should competitive selection become necessary include:

1.    Previous academic performance.

2.    Results of the FISDAP Paramedic Entrance Exam, or its successors.

3.    Interview results.

4.    Prior work experience in EMS.

5.    Temple College service area residency status.

6.    Employment by one of the Department’s clinical affiliates.

Policies

UNIFORMS AND OTHER SUPPLIES Students enrolled in EMSP courses must wear a uniform to class and clinical rotations. Uniform rand supply requirements are outlined in the application packets for each level.  The cost of uniforms and supplies is not included in any of the College fees.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE Students will be assessed a professional liability insurance fee when they enroll in their first EMSP clinical course during an academic year. This fee will cover the cost of malpractice insurance coverage for the remainder of that academic year.

HEALTH INSURANCE EMS Students are at risk for injury and disease.  Students are encouraged to obtain health insurance.  The liability insurance policy is not health insurance and does not provide access to medical care in case of injury or illness. 

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT The decision to work while enrolled in the EMS program rests with the individual student. While students may be employed in or volunteer in the clinical setting outside of regular instructional hours, they may count time and patient care procedures toward completion of course requirements only if they are functioning in the capacity of a student on a scheduled clinical rotation.

CLINICAL AVAILABILITY The EMS Department cannot guarantee that all required clinical rotations will be available at times outside of the hours of a student’s regular employment. If a clinical rotation required for successful completion of the course in which a student is enrolled is allowed only during a period of time when a student is engaged in his/her regular employment, the student will be required to arrange time off from work to complete the rotation.

STUDENT TRAVEL POLICY A significant portion of the rotations must take place at clinical sites that provide access to larger numbers of patients presenting common problems encountered in the delivery of emergency care. Temple College and the EMS Department assume no responsibility for expenses incurred as a result of travel or transportation that must be arranged to satisfy course requirements.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND AND DRUG SCREEN TESTING POLICY Clinical sites will require a criminal background check and/or a drug screen testing prior to beginning clinical rotations. If the student does not meet the standards set by the clinical site, the student will not be allowed to attend or complete the clinical rotation at that site. For more information, please refer to the appropriate application packet.

The nature of EMS duties requires restrictions to be placed on credentialing of persons with criminal histories.  Applicants with criminal histories who wish to take the NREMT or BCCTPC examination or be certified or licensed by DSHS are reviewed by those agencies on a case-by-case basis.  Therefore, the EMS Department is not able to advise a student if he/she will be eligible for certification and/or licensure upon course completion.  Questions regarding certification or licensure of applicants with criminal histories should be directed to the Texas Department of State Health Services, or the National Registry of EMTs.   

PROMOTION Once the student is accepted into advanced EMSP course work, it is expected that he/she will continue to progress directly to the next semester’s courses. To do this, the student must:

1.    Have completed all previously required EMSP courses with a grade of “C” or better.

2.    Have satisfied the competency requirements for all previously required EMSP courses.

3.    Maintain good academic standing according to Temple College’s Minimum Academic Standards, Scholastic Probation, and Scholastic Suspension policies.

4.    Meet all general Temple College requirements and be approved for registration.

The following grading scale applies to all EMSP courses:

      Numerical Value          Letter Grade

      89.5-100                          A     

      79.5-89.4                         B     

      74.5-79.4                         C     

      69.5-74.4                         D     

      below 69.5                       F     

COMPETENCY BASED Instruction in EMSP course work is competency-based. Although minimum clock hour requirements for didactic instruction, clinical rotations, and field internship have been established, successful completion depends on the student’ demonstrating proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and personal behaviors/attitudes required of an entry-level EMS professional.  EMS students also must successfully complete a comprehensive written exit examination and a clinical simulation/oral examination conducted at the end of the final semester.  Students may require extra shifts and time in lab to demonstrate competency. 

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE Students who successfully complete the prescribed EMSP course work are eligible to take National Registry of EMT’s (NREMT) examination at the appropriate level and to apply for Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) certification or licensure.

ACCOMODATIONS Applicants who believe they have a disability that will require accommodations during the application process or during their enrollment should contact the EMS Department as early as possible.  Students must be able to successfully complete all course and program requirements in to complete the program. 

The NREMT administers a separate process from the one used by Temple College for determining whether accommodations for disabilities will be granted during the certification process. Eligibility is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, a student who receives an accommodation during a course taught at Temple College has no guarantee of receiving an accommodation for the NREMT.