pcc.edu/programs/emergency-medical
Career and Program Description
The Emergency Medical Services Department offers career training for entry-level positions in emergency medical settings. Ambulance companies, fire departments, police departments, and various other industries requiring emergency medical services may employ EMS Providers. After successful completion of all requirements for EMT or Paramedic training, the student is eligible to apply to take the respective state licensure exams.
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department trains and educates EMS professionals to excel in meeting the needs of the community. EMS Providers respond to medical emergencies by providing immediate care and transportation to the ill and injured. This department combines classroom lectures, hands-on skills labs and appropriate cooperative clinical and field experience to provide students with cognitive, psychomotor, and affective competence to function as effective EMS providers.
The Portland Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
To contact CAAHEP:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org
To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway,
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
FAX (214) 703-8992
www.coaemsp.org
Degrees and Certificates Offered
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
One-Year Certificate
Emergency Medical Services
Less Than One-Year Certificate: Career Pathway
Emergency Medical Technician
Academic Prerequisites
- Placement test scores within the last three years or transcript with course completion. Placement into WR 121Z or completion of WR 115 or IRW 115 with a grade of C or better. Placement into MTH 58 or MTH 60, or completion of MTH 20 with a grade of C or better. Placement into RD 115 or IRW 115 or completion of RD 90 or IRW 90 with a grade of C or better.
-
Must have completed high school or GED.
- Applicants for EMS courses must meet all prerequisites prior to registration into EMS courses.
- Submit photocopies of transcripts, immunization documentation and completed application to the EMS Department for review. Contact department office for instructions. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applicants for the paramedic level must complete a departmental selection process.
Academic Requirements
- Attendance of the first session of each course is mandatory. Students missing the first class will be dropped from the roster by the department.
Non-Academic Prerequisites
-
Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
-
Must have documented results of: TB exam (within 6 months), MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella immunity) if born after 12-31-56, Tdap (within past 10 years), Hepatitis B immunization series started, Varicella (chicken pox immunity), influenza (one dose each year for students needing clinical placement).
-
AHA Healthcare Provider BLS (CPR) or ASHI CPR-Pro card current through certification/licensure testing.
Non-Academic Requirements
- Satisfactory Criminal History Background check and drug screening will be mandatory to qualify for clinical rotations and state licensure. The cost for Criminal History Background check and drug screening is the responsibility of the applicant/student.
- Applicants should be aware that the following questions are asked on the National Registry EMT and/or the Oregon EMT Application:
- Do you or have you had within the past 10 years, any physical or mental condition that impairs, could impair, or has impaired your ability to perform the duties of an EMS Provider? If you answer yes, explain whether your condition is controlled by medication or other treatment and how your condition treated or untreated, affects your ability to perform the duties of an EMS Provider.
- Do you or have you used in the last 10 years, any drug or chemical substance for other than legitimate medical purposes that impairs or has impaired your ability to perform the duties of an EMS Provider?
- Have you been counseled about, diagnosed with, or treated for, a dependency on alcohol or drugs within the last 10 years?
- Have you ever been arrested, charged with, or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony? (Minor traffic violations need not be reported.)
- Has an employer or supervising physician taken disciplinary action against you related to your duties as an EMS Provider? (Discipline includes suspension, letter of reprimand, resignation in lieu of termination, a limitation or restriction of scope of practice or dismissal for cause.)
- Have you been named in a lawsuit alleging medical malpractice or misconduct related to providing medical care?
- Have you ever been disciplined, denied or revoked by the National Registry of EMTs or any health care certifying/licensing agency?
- Have you ever surrendered or resigned a health care license or certificate?
- Have you lived, worked or attended school outside of Oregon for 60 or more consecutive days in the last 5 years?
Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic AAS Degree
Minimum 101 credits. Students must also meet Associate Degree Comprehensive Requirements and Associate of Applied Science Requirements. Students must complete a total of four courses of General Education. Some courses specified within the program may be used as General Education. Math/computation competency is met through the math course(s) required in the program of study. Students should consult with program advisors for course planning.
Course of Study
The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EMS 100 | Introduction to Emergency Medical Services | 2 |
| EMS 105 | EMT Part I | 6 |
| MP 111 | Medical Terminology | 4 |
| MTH 65 | Introductory Algebra - Second Term | 4 |
| WR 121 | Composition I (WR121=WR121Z) Z | 4 |
| Second Term | ||
| BI 231 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I * | 4 |
| EMS 106 | EMT Part II | 6 |
| EMS 116 | Emergency Medical Services Rescue | 3 |
| Third Term | ||
| BI 232 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II * | 4 |
| COMM 111 | Public Speaking (COMM111=COMM111Z) *,1,Z | 3 |
| EMS 115 | Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Psychology and Human Relations *,2 | 3 |
| Fourth Term | ||
| BI 233 | Human Anatomy & Physiology III | 4 |
| HE 295 | Health and Fitness for Life | 2 |
| PE 295 | Health and Fitness for Life Lab | 1 |
| Fifth Term | ||
| EMS 238 | Pre-Paramedic Orientation | 1 |
| EMS 240 | Paramedic I | 14 |
| Sixth Term | ||
| EMS 242 | Paramedic II | 11 |
| EMS 244 | Paramedic Clinical Internship I | 1 |
| Seventh Term | ||
| EMS 246 | Paramedic Clinical Internship II | 9 |
| EMS 248 | Paramedic Field Internship I | 3 |
| Eighth Term | ||
| EMS 250 | Paramedic Field Internship II | 7 |
| EMS 252 | Paramedic III | 2 |
| Total Credits | 101 | |
- *
Could be used as General Education
- 1
Or any Arts & Letters Gen Ed course.
- 2
Or any Social Science Gen Ed course.
- Z
This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. The following courses are equivalent:
COMM 111 and COMM 111Z
WR 121 and WR 121Z
One-Year Certificate
Less than One-Year: Career Pathway Certificate
Emergency Medical Services One-Year Certificate
Minimum 53 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements.
Course of Study
The coursework listed below is required. The following is an example of a term-by-term breakdown.
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EMS 100 | Introduction to Emergency Medical Services | 2 |
| EMS 105 | EMT Part I § | 6 |
| MP 111 | Medical Terminology | 4 |
| MTH 65 | Introductory Algebra - Second Term | 4 |
| WR 121 | Composition I (WR121=WR121Z) Z | 4 |
| Second Term | ||
| BI 231 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| EMS 106 | EMT Part II § | 6 |
| EMS 116 | Emergency Medical Services Rescue | 3 |
| Third Term | ||
| BI 232 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| COMM 111 | Public Speaking (COMM111=COMM111Z) §,Z | 3 |
| EMS 115 | Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Psychology and Human Relations § | 3 |
| Fourth Term | ||
| BI 233 | Human Anatomy & Physiology III | 4 |
| HE 295 | Health and Fitness for Life | 2 |
| PE 295 | Health and Fitness for Life Lab | 1 |
| Total Credits | 53 | |
- §
Course contains Related Instruction and cannot be substituted with another course; Related Instruction details can be viewed here.
- Z
This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. The following courses are equivalent:
COMM 111 and COMM 111Z
WR 121 and WR 121Z
Emergency Medical Technician Career Pathway Certificate
Minimum 12 credits. Students must meet all certificate requirements. The Emergency Medical Technician Certificate is a career pathway. All courses are contained in the Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic AAS Degree.
Emergency Medical Technician Certificate Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EMS 105 | EMT Part I | 6 |
| EMS 106 | EMT Part II | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
EMS 100. Introduction to Emergency Medical Services. 2 Credits.
Covers the roles and responsibilities of the EMT, emergency medical services system, medical-legal considerations, major incident response, hazardous materials awareness, stress management, and blood-borne pathogens. Audit available.
EMS 105. EMT Part I. 6 Credits.
Develops skills for the recognition of symptoms of illness and injuries and proper procedures of emergency care. Required: current HCP CPR card, passing criminal background check, and drug screen before placement into mandatory clinical observation in hospital emergency department and ambulance ride-along experience. Part 1 of the 2-part Oregon EMT course. Prerequisite: (WR 115 or IRW 115), (RD 90 or IRW 90), and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and department permission required.
EMS 106. EMT Part II. 6 Credits.
Second of the two courses required for Oregon EMT training (EMS 105 & 106). EMS 106 expands upon the knowledge, skills, techniques, and applications introduced in EMS 105. Integrates assessment skills including the ability to differentiate trauma versus medical emergencies to include the proper management in a prehospital setting. Includes preparation for state and national certification exams. Required: Successful completion of EMS 105 at PCC within the last year and current HCP CPR card. Prerequisite: Department permission required.
EMS 115. Crisis Intervention. 3 Credits.
Covers intervention in behavioral crises of sudden death, suicide, rape, murder, vehicle accidents, disease, trauma, and child abuse. Includes resources, supporting behavioral patterns, and handling emotional stress of the individual as well as coping with emotional conflict within one's self. Prerequisite: WR 121Z. Recommended: EMS 106 and SP111 or COMM 111Z. Audit available.
EMS 116. Emergency Medical Services Rescue. 3 Credits.
Covers the elementary procedures of rescue practices, systems, components, support and control of rescue operations including basic rescue tools. Introduces techniques and tools of patient extrication, emphasizing application to traffic accidents and low angle rescue. Recommended: EMS 106 and (SP 111 or COMM 111Z). Prerequisites: EMS 100, EMS 105, WR 121Z.
EMS 238. Pre-Paramedic Orientation. 1 Credit.
Covers the roles and responsibilities of the paramedic student, program objectives, program terminal competencies, and introduction to paramedic level skills lab. Prerequisite: Department permission.
EMS 240. Paramedic I. 14 Credits.
Covers EMS systems, research, workforce safety & wellness, documentation & communication, medical/legal & ethics, anatomy & physiology review, medical terminology, pathophysiology, life span development, and public health. Includes patient care topics such as pharmacology, advanced airway management and patient assessment. Also covers neurology, cardiovascular system, including ECG monitoring, respiratory system and diseases of the eyes, ears, nose and throat. Prerequisites: WR 121Z, MTH 65, BI 233, EMS 100, EMS 114, EMS 115, EMS 116, MP 111 and Department permission.
EMS 242. Paramedic II. 11 Credits.
Covers ECG review; abdominal & GI disorders; immunology & infectious diseases; endocrine, psychiatric, toxicologic, hematologic, GU & renal disorders; gynecological conditions; shock and resuscitation; trauma; special patient populations; and EMS operations. Includes Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), Pediatric Education for Pre-hospital Professionals (PEPP) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications. Prerequisites: EMS 240 and Department permission.
EMS 244. Paramedic Clinical Internship I. 1 Credit.
First term of a two-term in-hospital clinical internship designed to provide supervised experiences including direct patient care responsibilities. Emphasizes patients in crisis and refining the skills to assess and appropriately treat patients experiencing a variety of medical and trauma-related illnesses. Prerequisite: EMS 240, Department permission.
EMS 246. Paramedic Clinical Internship II. 9 Credits.
Second term of a two-term in-hospital clinical internship designed to provide supervised experiences including direct patient care responsibilities. Emphasizes patients in crisis and refining the skills to assess and appropriately treat patients experiencing a variety of medical and trauma-related illnesses. Includes effective principles of therapeutic communication, oral, written and electronic communications comparable to those experienced in the pre-hospital care situation. Prerequisite: EMS 244, Department permission.
EMS 248. Paramedic Field Internship I. 3 Credits.
First term of a two-term capstone field internship designed to provide supervised experiences including direct patient care responsibilities. Provides an opportunity for the intern to serve as a team leader in a variety of pre-hospital advanced life support emergency medical situations while also formulating a field impression and implementing a treatment plan. Prerequisite: EMS 244, Department permission.
EMS 250. Paramedic Field Internship II. 7 Credits.
Complete the field experience necessary to fulfill the required hours and calls necessary for state certification. Department permission required. Prerequisite: EMS 248.
EMS 252. Paramedic III. 2 Credits.
Students successfully complete course final written and practical exam and prepare for the State and National Registry written and practical exam. Department permission required. Prerequisite: EMS 248. Audit available.