The Profession and the Program

The primary role of Critical Care Paramedics 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 and ICU is taken into the community. 

The EMS Department provides course work necessary to prepare students for practice as competent entry level Critical Care Paramedics.  Graduates are eligible for the certification exams offered by the Board of Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification.

Students who have an A.A.S. in Emergency Medical Services, complete the Critical Care Paramedic course, clinical course and take Microbiology will be awarded an Enhanced Skills Certificate. An Enhanced Skills Certificate demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and education beyond an A.A.S.

Admission to the Department

To be admitted to 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 EMSP coursework.

Persons enrolling in the Critical Care Paramedic course must:

     1.  Apply for and achieve admission to Temple College.

     2.  Provide documentation of immunizations against tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, rubella, varicella, influenza, and hepatitis B.

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

     4.  Show proof of paramedic certification or licensure (NREMT or Texas DSHS).

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

     6.  Submit a completed CCP Application Packet.

     7.  Satisfy criminal background requirements (Refer to CCP Application Packet).

     8.  Satisfy drug screening requirements (Refer to CCP Application Packet).

     9.  Satisfy CPR requirements (Refer to CCP Application Packet).

The number of students in the CCP 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. 

Policies

UNIFORMS AND OTHER SUPPLIES Students enrolled in EMSP courses must wear a uniform to class and clinical rotations. Uniform and 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 BCCTPC examination are reviewed by the Board of Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification 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 that agency.   

GRADING SCALE  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. 

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 BCCTPC administers a separate process from the one used by Temple College for determining whether accommodations 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 BCCTPC certification examination.