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Emergency Medical Services

Description

The Emergency Medical Services Program offers four levels of Prehospital training: Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Certificate), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT Certificate), Paramedic Certificate and Paramedic Associate of Applied Science Degree. At each level of training the student is provided with the opportunity to master the theory and skills of pre-hospital care. Training includes lecture, laboratories, and rotations at local hospitals and ambulance services.

Progression through the curriculum requires passing the National Registry of EMT's Certification Exam and obtaining an active certification as an EMT from the Texas Department of State Health Services to continue from EMT to AEMT/Paramedic.

Obtaining a "C" or better grade on EMS courses does not guarantee a student's eligibility to sit for the National Registry of EMT's certification exam. For the student to be eligible to take their NREMT certification exam, the student must meet the following requirements.

  • Be competent in the following domains, cognitive, psychomotor, and affective.

  • Be approved by the EMS Program Medical Director

  • Be approved by the EMS Program Director

Rotation

The student is assigned to hospitals and ambulance services to develop clinical/field skills under the supervision of assigned facility staff. Clinical/field experiences are scheduled at appropriate times during the program. The student must meet all clinical and field requirement and must master the required skills and tasked. Applicants should be aware that they will be required to work with clients who may speak only Spanish.

Accreditation

The Emergency Medical Services Program is accredited by the:

Texas Department of State Health Services.

Texas Department of State Health Services

PO Box 149347

Austin, TX 78714-9347

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/emstraumasystems/default.shtm

The Laredo College EMS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158

Clearwater, FL 33763

www.caahep.org

Certification

After completing the EMS curriculum, the student can sit for the National Registry of EMT's certification Exam or the National Registry Assessment Test at each testing level: EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic. After completing the EMT, AEMT or Paramedic curriculum the student has two years of eligibility to sit for their respective National Registry Exams.

Application Deadline

  • Application deadline for EMT is the first Thursday in July for Fall or the second Thursday in November for Spring.

  • Application deadline for AEMT and paramedic is the second Thursday in November for spring admission.

Admission Criteria

The student seeking admission into the EMS Program must:

  1. Meet LC admission criteria as outlined in the college catalog.

  2. The student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and achieve a grade of "C" or better on all required prerequisite courses.

  3. Submit a complete Health Sciences Division EMS application through the Laredo-ems portal. 

Admission into EMS Program is based on:

  1. G.P.A.: Current (within the last five years) grade report or transcript.

  2. Pre-entrance exam (an examination fee will be charged to the candidate).

The applicant will be notified by LC's official means of communication regarding his/her program admission status.

Required Documents

Once the student has been accepted into the program he/she has to submit the following documents:

  1. A completed Health Sciences Department Immunization Verification form that includes:

    1. Proof of immunizations (Hepatitis A (Recommended), Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Bacterial Meningitis)

    2. TB skin test (annually) or chest x-rays (3 years)

    3. Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) shot (every ten years)

    4. Flu shot (annually)

  2. Current American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider CPR certification

  3. A negative criminal background check. This can be accessed at www.castlebranch.com. As stated on the Health Sciences Department Application, documentation of a negative criminal background must be submitted to complete the application and admission process. (annually)

  4. A negative 10-Panel urine drug screen (annually)

  5. A completed Health Sciences Department Physical Examination Form  and Functional Position Description Form (annually)

  6. Sheriff or Laredo Police Department background check. (required by LMC Hospital)

  7. Negative COVID-19 PCR Test

Progression in the EMS Program

Complete all pre-requisite and degree plan courses with a "C" or better grade. Additional program-specific requirements may apply. Refer to the EMS Student Handbook.

Withdrawal

A student considering withdrawal from an EMS Program course should refer to the EMS Student Handbook and make an appointment with the Instructor & Program Director.

Attendance

The EMS Program only allows three absences to meet the required contact hours. All rotation education courses require attendance to comply with accrediting agencies. Refer to the EMS Student Handbook.

Dismissal

The student should refer to the dismissal policies listed in the EMS Student Handbook.

For further information about the Emergency Medical Services Program contact the Program Director, Manuel Ramirez at (956)794-4515 or by email at lccemsp@laredo.edu. The Health Sciences Department is in the College of Health Sciences Center, room B118.

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