North West Shoals Community College
The Division of Health Studies offers the Emergency Medical Services Program. The EMS program is designed to prepare qualified applicants in basic and advanced emergency care in clinical and in field environments. Graduates qualify for employment with fire and rescue departments, ambulance services, industries, and emergency departments within medical facilities. EMS education spans four levels of competency. Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and Paramedic. Each level of competency meets or exceeds standards identified in the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and by the State of Alabama Department of Public Health.
Students may enroll in the EMS program with the intention of completing only the courses required for each level of EMS education. Students are not required to complete EMR for admission into the EMT program. Upon successful completion of each level, the student will be eligible to apply for registration with the National Registry of EMTs. Graduation from the program, however, does not guarantee licensure from the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of EMS and Trauma or the ability to take the National Registry of EMT examination.
The Emergency Medical Services Program supports the philosophy and purpose of the College and serves its community by preparing entry level Emergency Medical Services personnel in varied health settings. The EMS Program Director, Medical Director, EMS Faculty, and the EMS Advisory Committee have the responsibility for administering and evaluating the Emergency Medical Services Program according to policies and guidelines established by the College, the Alabama Department of Public Health, and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in association with the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). To receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services, the student must complete the EMT and Paramedic certificate levels and all academic core curriculum course requirements.
Because EMS programs contain a clinical component, students are required to meet additional health requirements as well as the “Essential Functions of the EMT.” Questions regarding the EMS program should be directed to the Program Director at 256.331.5336
The Purpose of the Emergency Medical Services Program is to:
1. Prepare entry level Emergency Services Personnel who utilize appropriate knowledge and skills to deliver safe, competent care to clients of all ages
2. Foster learning as a life-long process to remain competent
3. Prepare entry level Emergency Services Personnel who contribute to society as citizens and members within the discipline of EMS
4. Provide education at the certificate and the Associate Degree level, which forms a basis for entry into baccalaureate EMS education
Emergency Medical Services EMT Certificate
The EMT Certificate is one semester in length and consists of the following courses, which are taught concurrently and must be successfully completed for eligibility to apply for registration for examination with NREMT.
ANTICIPATED EXPENSES
As a student in the EMS program, you can anticipate certain necessary expenses. First of all, the tuition rate is the same as that for other NWSCC students, but health studies students will incur other expenses, which are listed below. Note that the amounts listed are approximations and are subject to change without notice.
Textbooks: $1,500.00 (includes EMT, AEMT, Paramedic)
Standardized Tests: $200.00
Computer Software (FISDAP): $84.00
Annual Physical Exam, TB Test & Shots: $750.00
Uniforms and Small Equipment: $300.00
Clinical Kit: $85.00
Clinical ID Badges: $5.00 each semester enrolled
Drug Screening: $80.00
Liability Insurance: $80.00 ($20 each semester enrolled in program)
Licensure Application Fee: $12.00
NREMT Examination for EMT: $104.00
NREMT Examination for AEMT: $144.00
NREMT Examination for Paramedic: $160.00
Background Checks: $85.00
Tuition at published rate for courses in program of study (see current registration guide at https://nwscc.edu/patriot-central/college-publications/)
College fees at published rate (see current registration guide at https://nwscc.edu/patriot-central/college-publications/)
Course completion/certification cards: $35.00
Parking Decal $ 20.00