A.S. Degree, Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Degree Type: A.S.
Major Code: EMS-AS
CIP: 1351090402
Former CIP: 1317020601

This program is designed to prepare graduates for responsible employment in pre-hospital and emergency medical career fields. Through a comprehensive program of theory, clinical and field internships, students will develop the skills for assuming the role of life-support provider and physician extender.

Graduates qualify for employment opportunities with public fire rescue agencies, governmental agencies, educational organizations, private healthcare transporters and providers, hospitals and private industries.

This Associate in Science (A.S.) degree is transferable to the University of Central Florida's Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) program which is offered at select regional campuses. Completion of this degree program may qualify the fire/EMS employee for state educational incentive salary supplements. The degree meets the requirements set by the Florida Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

Major Courses
EMT Certificate
EMS1119	Emergency Medical Technician This lecture course is designed to prepare the student for a career in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field as an Emergency Medical Technician in accordance with the Department of Transportation National EMT curriculum. The student will understand the role of an EMT within the EMS system. The course includes information on the EMS system, legal aspects of EMS, applied anatomy and physiology, communicable diseases, medical emergencies, trauma emergencies, communications, blood-borne pathogens and employability skills. Lab fee required.	7
EMS1119L	EMT Laboratory This laboratory course is designed to prepare the student for a career in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field as an Emergency Medical Technician in accordance with the Department of Transportation National EMT curriculum. The student will be able to perform various EMT skills such as patient assessment, airway management, cardiac-arrest management, cervical immobilization, bandaging, extremity immobilization, stretcher handling, IV set-up and ECG monitor set-ups. Lab fee required.	3
EMS1431	EMT Clinical This clinical practice course is designed to prepare the student for a career in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field as an Emergency Medical Technician in accordance with the Department of Transportation's National EMT curriculum and the State of Florida's Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The student will perform various EMT skills in hospital and field settings. The student will attend 24 hours in an emergency department and 24 hours with a local fire department. All EMS students must submit to a National Criminal Background check. Students must not have been convicted of a crime as listed in the EMS student handbook available in the EMS department. Successful completion of EMS 1431, EMS 1119 and EMS 1119L with an overall grade of 80 percent (C) in each course will allow the student eligibility to complete the National Registry certification examination and the Florida EMT certification. EMS 1431 must be completed during the same term as EMS 1119 and EMS 1119L. Lab fee required.	1
Paramedic Certificate ( EMT-P)
EMS2603	Paramedic I This course presents the objectives contained in Modules I, II and III of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient. Topics studied include roles and responsibilities, medical legal issues, well-being of the paramedic, illness and injury prevention, ethics, medical terminology review, patient assessment, airway management, venous access and medication administration, therapeutic communications, life span development, pathophysiology, management of shock and general pharmacology. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of EMS program manager is required. This course is offered in the Fall and Spring terms.	4
EMS2603L	Paramedic I Laboratory This course presents the objectives contained in Division I, II and III of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient. Topics studied include illness and injury prevention, medical terminology review, patient assessment, airway management, venous access and medication administration, therapeutic communications, management of shock and general pharmacology. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of EMS program manager is required. This course is offered in the Fall and Spring terms. Lab fee required.	3
EMS2604	Paramedic II This course presents the objectives contained in Modules IV and V of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient. Topics studied include the following medical emergencies: cardiology, pulmonary, neurology, endocrinology, allergies, gastroenterology, renal, toxicology, hematology, environmental conditions, communicable diseases, gynecology, obstetrics and psychiatric emergencies. The following trauma emergencies include burns, spinal, thoracic, abdominal, musculoskeletal, head, facial, soft tissue, hemorrhage and shock. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of EMS program manager is required. This course is offered in the Spring and Summer terms.	4
EMS2604L	Paramedic II Laboratory This course presents the objectives contained in Modules IV and V of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient. The laboratory will focus on cardiovascular, respiratory and traumatic emergencies, enabling students to practice the associated treatment modalities. Topics studied include the following treatment of medical emergencies: cardiology, pulmonary, neurology, endocrinology, allergies, gastroenterology, renal, toxicology, hematology, environmental conditions, communicable diseases, gynecology, obstetrics and psychiatric emergencies. The following trauma emergency treatments include burns, spinal, thoracic, abdominal, musculoskeletal, head, facial, soft tissue hemorrhage and shock. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of EMS program manager is required. This course is offered in the Spring and Summer terms. Lab fee required.	4
EMS2605	Paramedic III The course presents the objectives contained in Modules VI, VII and VIII of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient. Topics studied include the following: neonatology, pediatrics, geriatrics, abuse and assault, patients with special challenges, acute interventions for the chronic care patient, assessment based management, ambulance operations, medical incident command, rescue awareness and operations, hazardous materials incidents and crime scene awareness. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of EMS program manager is required. This course is offered in the Summer and Fall terms. Lab fee required.	3
EMS2605L	Paramedic III Laboratory This course presents the objectives contained in Modules VI, VII and VIII of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient. Topics studied include the following: emergency treatment techniques for neonatology, pediatrics, geriatrics, abuse and assault, patients with special challenges, acute interventions for the chronic care patient, assessment-based management, ambulance operations, medical incident command, rescue awareness and operations, hazardous materials incidents and crime scene awareness. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of EMS program manager is required. This course is offered in the Summer and Fall terms. Lab fee required.	3
EMS2647	Advanced Airway Management This course presents the objectives contained in the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic for advanced airway techniques and the anesthesia rotation. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient, focusing on advanced airway techniques. This course is a combination of classroom work, laboratory exercises and an anesthesia rotation. Students will be allowed to practice advanced endotracheal intubation patient care and the course offers the students opportunities to demonstrate competency in the skills learned in the Paramedic II Laboratory. Students will be assigned to a specific operating room to perform endotracheal intubation under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. All Paramedic students must submit to a National Criminal Background check prior to beginning any clinical rotations. Students must not have been convicted of a crime as listed in the EMS student handbook available in the EMS department. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of the EMS Program Manager is required to repeat the course. This course is offered in the Spring and Summer terms. This is one component (course) of a limited-access program. Lab fee required.	1
EMS2659	Paramedic Field Internship This course presents the objectives contained in Modules I through VIII of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course allows students to correlate all of the didactic background in the paramedic course with advanced patient care and offers the students opportunities to demonstrate competency in the skills learned in all of the Paramedic Laboratories. Students will be assigned to specific fire departments to complete 192 hours of field ride time. Students will perform various emergency medical modalities and procedures under the direct supervision of a paramedic preceptor. This course will focus on all treatment modalities as final preparation for the state certification examination and a career as a paramedic. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. All Paramedic students must submit to a National Criminal Background check prior to beginning any clinical rotations. Students must not have been convicted of a crime as listed in the EMS student handbook available in the EMS department. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of the EMS Program Manager is required to repeat the course. This course is offered in the Summer and Fall terms. This is one component (course) of a limited-access program.	5
EMS2666	Paramedic I Clinical This course presents the objectives contained in Modules I, II and III of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient. This course allows students to correlate didactic background with basic patient care and offers the student opportunities to demonstrate competency in the skills learned in the Paramedic I Laboratory. Students are assigned to specific agencies to perform various emergency medical modalities and procedures under the direct supervision of a paramedic, nurse or physician. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. All Paramedic students must submit to a National Criminal Background check prior to beginning any clinical rotations. Students must not have been convicted of a crime as listed in the EMS student handbook available in the EMS department. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of the EMS Program Manager is required to repeat the course. This course is offered in the Fall and Spring terms. This is one component (course) of a limited-access program. Lab fee required.	5
EMS2667	Paramedic II Clinical This course presents the objectives contained in Modules IV and V of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient. This course allows students to correlate didactic background with basic patient care and offers the student opportunities to demonstrate competency in the skills learned in the Paramedic II Laboratory. Students are assigned to specific agencies to perform various emergency medical modalities and procedures under the direct supervision of a paramedic, nurse or physician. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. All Paramedic students must submit to a National Criminal Background check prior to beginning any clinical rotations. Students must not have been convicted of a crime as listed in the EMS student handbook available in the EMS department. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of the EMS Program Manager is required to repeat the course. This course is offered in the Spring and Summer terms. This is one component (course) of a limited-access program. Lab fee required.	5
EMS2668	Paramedic III Clinical This course presents the objectives contained in Modules VI, VII and VIII of the 1998 U.S. Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum for the EMT-Paramedic. This course stresses theory and procedures used by a comprehensive emergency medical system in advanced pre-hospital care of the emergency patient. This course allows students to correlate didactic background with basic patient care and offers the student opportunities to demonstrate competency in the skills learned in the Paramedic II and III Laboratories. Students are assigned to specific agencies to perform various emergency medical modalities and procedures under the direct supervision of a paramedic, nurse or physician. Course must be completed with a grade of "C" (80 percent grade average) or higher to continue in the Paramedic program. All Paramedic students must submit to a National Criminal Background check prior to beginning any clinical rotations. Students must not have been convicted of a crime as listed in the EMS student handbook available in the EMS department. This course may be repeated one time. Permission of the EMS Program Manager is required to repeat the course. This course is offered in the Summer and Fall terms. This is one component (course) of a limited-access program. Lab fee required.	2
Support Courses
Choose two credits from the following list:
EMS1059C	Emergency Medical Responder The Emergency Medical Responder is an integral part of the Emergency Medical Services System. Formerly known as "first responder," the EMR is the first individual who arrives at the scene regardless of the individual's type of credential. It is the goal of the EMR National Standard Curriculum to provide students with the core knowledge, skills and attitudes to function in the capacity of an Emergency Medical Responder.	3
EMS2931	Selected Studies In Emergency Medical Services This course allows the student to obtain experience in a variety of settings in Emergency Medical Services with an emphasis on strong affective skills. Students may obtain experience by participating in one or more of the following experiences: mock disaster drill, simulations; volunteering at a hospital or nursing home; completing an internship with an EMS provider or any agreed upon project by the EMS Program Manager. This course may be completed twice with a grade of "C" or higher to meet the requirements of the Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services.	1
The above course may be successfully completed twice.
EMS1335	Emergency Vehicle Operations This course is designed to meet Florida state (Florida Statute 401.281, 316.003 (1) F.S.), and Florida Administrative Code 64J-1.013 requirements for safe emergency vehicle operations. This 16-hour class combines both didactic and practical (driver training) aspects of instruction in preparation for emergency vehicle operations.	1
SLS1101	College Success This course is designed to help students become more effective in college. The course teaches students how to set goals, manage time, improve retention of information, take notes, strengthen test-taking skills, deal with test anxiety, master stress reduction techniques, think critically, approach problems creatively, communicate more effectively, use the library and other college services, adapt to various instructional styles, understand their own learning style and identify and deal with problems (learning, personal or social) that interfere with their ability to learn, develop an appreciation for diversity and develop appropriate classroom behaviors. Lab fee required.	3
Choose one:
BSC1020	Human Biology This course provides an introduction to scientific inquiry in relationship to the human body, its systems and basic functions with emphasis on homeostatic mechanisms. The structure and function of cells, tissues and organ systems will be investigated. Designed for non-science majors. This course does not fulfill the credit requirements for Biology majors.	3
or
BSC1084	The course could not be found.
or
BSC2093C	Anatomy and Physiology I This is the first part of a two-semester course that investigates in detail the structure and function of humans. The course is primarily designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We will utilize a "system" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on the homeostatic rather than the dysfunctional individual. Lab fee required.	4
and
BSC2094C	Anatomy and Physiology II This course is the second part of a two-semester course that investigates the structure and function of humans. The course is designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We utilize a "systems" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on homeostatic rather than dysfunctional individuals. Lab fee required.	4
Note: BSC 2093C and BSC 2094C may substitute for BSC 1020.
General Education Courses
ENC1101	English I This is a course in the process of expository writing. Students will read essays and compose papers that are unified, organized, logically developed and supported, clearly stated and well-focused. Research techniques are introduced and incorporated into at least one composition. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of "C" or higher.	3
ENC1102	English II In this course students develop the ability to read literary texts critically, to think logically and creatively and to write and research effectively. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of "C" or higher. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.	3
SPC1608	Introduction to Oral Communication The purpose of this course is to improve the basic skills of speaking and listening. Class exercises emphasize preparing and delivering public speeches, speaking with clarity and variety and listening with literal and critical comprehension.	3
Humanities General Education course		3
Social Science General Education course		3
Mathematics or Science General Education course		3
Note: If you choose a Science General Education course, due to state law, you must also complete any college preparatory mathematics course(s), if any were required by your entry-level test scores, before you can be awarded an associate degree.
Total Credits:		73

Note:

• Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are designed to prepare graduates for immediate entry into their chosen career field. A.S. degree graduates may transfer into certain baccalaureate programs. Students planning to transfer to baccalaureate programs should consult with Student Affairs counselors, advisors or specialists to make sure required courses are taken and entry requirements are met for the college/university program of their choice.