Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (Advanced EMT), Level I Certificate

The course of study for the Level I Certificate in Advanced EMT is two semesters. 

The first semester prepares students as Emergency Medical Technicians.  EMTs provide essential, frontline emergency care and are often the first medical professionals to arrive on scene.  Their focus is on patient assessment, basic life support, and safe transport.  EMTs perform skills such as CPR, bleeding control, oxygen administration, airway management with basic adjuncts, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).  This role is ideal for students seeking a fast entry into the healthcare field and a strong foundation in emergency medicine.

The second semester prepares students to become Advanced EMTs (AEMTs).  Advanced EMTs build on the EMT role by providing a higher level of patient care and clinical decision-making.  In addition to all EMT skills, Advanced EMTs can initiate intravenous (IV) access, administer a limited range of medications, perform advanced airway procedures, and manage more complex medical and trauma patients.  This level is well suited for students who want expanded responsibilities and deeper clinical involvement without the full commitment required for paramedic training.

The curriculum balances emergency medical services courses with supervised experience in hospitals and on an ambulance.  These combined experiences provide students with the opportunities to develop educational skills and occupational competence.

Admission to the Department

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

Persons enrolling in the EMT Programs must:

1. Apply for and achieve admission to Temple College.
2. Provide documentation of immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, rubella, varicella, influenza, COVID-19, and hepatitis B. (Some immunization series may require five months to complete).  Students must have all required immunizations completed before beginning clinical rotations.
3. Provide documentation of a negative tuberculosis test or chest x-ray performed within the previous six months.
4. Submit a completed Application Packet according to the deadline listed in the packet.
5. Submit copies of all relevant academic transcripts: high school, college or university, military service school, and other (proprietary schools) to both Admissions and Records and the EMS Department.
6. Satisfy criminal background requirements (Refer to Application Packet).
7. Satisfy drug screening requirements (Refer to Application Packet).
8. Satisfy CPR requirements (Refer to Application Packet).

The number of clinical experience slots available at affiliated hospitals and EMS provider organizations limits the program’s enrollment.  Admission to the EMT program is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Persons enrolling in the AEMT Program must:

1. Apply for and achieve admission to Temple College.
2. Take the PLATINUM Entrance Exam or its successor.  All candidates should achieve the minimum passing score established by the Department (Refer to the Advanced Application Packet).
3. Provide documentation of immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, rubella, varicella, influenza, COVID-19, and hepatitis B. (Some immunization series may require five months to complete).  Students must have all required immunizations completed before beginning clinical rotations.
4. Provide documentation of a negative tuberculosis test or chest x-ray performed within the previous six months.
5.   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.
6. Submit a completed Advanced Application Packet according to the deadline listed in the packet.
7. Submit copies of all relevant academic transcripts: high school, college or university, military service school, and other (proprietary schools) to both Admissions and Records and the EMS Department.
8. Submit a resume or curriculum vitae showing work history with emphasis on EMS experience.
9. Satisfy criminal background requirements (Refer to Advanced Application Packet).
10. Satisfy drug screening requirements (Refer to Advanced Application Packet).
11. Satisfy CPR requirements (Refer to Advanced Application Packet).
12. 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 the 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 clinical experience slots available at affiliated hospitals and EMS provider organizations limits the program’s enrollment.  Competitive selection may be 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 PLATINUM Entrance Exam, or its successors.
3. Interview results.
4. Temple College service area residency status.
5. 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 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 is the individual student’s responsibility.  While students may be employed or volunteer in the clinical setting outside regular instructional hours, they may count time and patient care procedures toward course completion 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 outside 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 permitted only during periods when the student is engaged in their regular employment, the student must arrange time off from work to complete the rotation.

STUDENT TRAVEL:  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 required to satisfy course requirements.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND AND DRUG SCREEN TESTING: Clinical sites will require a criminal background check and/or drug screen testing prior to beginning clinical rotations. If the student does not meet the clinical site’s standards, they will not be permitted 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 on credentialing individuals with criminal histories.  Applicants with criminal histories who wish to take the NREMT or to be certified or licensed by DSHS are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by those agencies.  Therefore, the EMS Department cannot advise a student whether they 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 the advanced EMSP coursework, 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 student minimum competency requirements for all previously required EMSP courses.
3. Maintain good academic standing according to Temple College’s 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 the EMSP coursework 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’s demonstrating proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and personal behaviors/attitudes required of an entry-level EMS professional.  EMS students must also complete a comprehensive written exit examination and a clinical simulation/oral examination at the end of the final semester.  Students may require additional shifts and lab time to demonstrate competency.

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

ACCOMMODATIONS: 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 complete all course and program requirements to graduate.

The NREMT administers a separate process from Temple College’s 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.