Emergency Medical Services, A.A.S.

John Hitchens, Emergency Medical Services Program Coordinator
(304)367-4501
Jhitchens@pierpont.edu

Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professional (CoAEMSP )
3301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
(214) 703-8992 Fax
www.coaemsp.org

Program Purpose

The A.A.S Emergency Medical Services Degree’s program primary goal is to provide individuals with the knowledge, skills and attributes to provide advanced emergency medical care as a paramedic for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system and prepares graduates to enter the workforce. Students will gain complex knowledge, competency, and experience while employing evidence-based practice under medical oversight and serve as a link from the scene into the healthcare system. Graduates of this program may be eligible to take the National Registry Paramedic exam. Students completing the EMS Associate of Applied Science must also complete the EMS Certificate of Applied Science degree. The additional general education courses provide the student with an additional well-rounded education which is desirable to many employers and also can prepare the student for additional education at a baccalaureate program.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Emergency Medical Services, A.A.S. program is based upon the following criteria:

1. Apply to Pierpont Community and Technical College for the term you want to begin the program and meet the general admission requirements or be a current student
   1. First-time students should select “Emergency Medical Services” as their educational goal on their application.
   2. Current students will need to complete a Change of Major form and select “Emergency Medical Services: AAS” as their requested major.

Qualified students are accepted until capacity is met.

*Students begin the program in the fall semester.

Program Requirements

• Students are required to complete a student orientation with the Program Coordinator.
• Students must pass a criminal background clearance check, meet health and immunization requirements, and drug testing.
• Students must be able to meet the essential functions of the program and classes, with or without accommodations.
• Students will need to provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

NOTE: If a student holds a current paramedic certification, the student may be eligible to earn the Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services after fulfilling the general education components of the program as well as all residency policies of the institution. The equivalent evaluation is done on an individual basis taking into consideration all EMS training and related courses to the field of study.  Students in this situation should contact the Program Director for evaluation of previous training/education.

Students must be able to travel to various clinical affiliate sites located throughout North Central West Virginia during the EMS Practicum courses. Additional mini-courses have been incorporated into the EMS courses as needed to better prepare the student for employment after graduation. Participation in these courses is mandatory. Certification fees are required for State or National certification by the agencies governing these courses.

To remain in the EMS program and to be eligible to take the National Registry of EMT’s Paramedic examination, a “C” must be maintained in each EMMS course and a favorable recommendation from the program faculty and medical director is required. Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in dismissal from the program. Readmission is on the basis of reapplication and reacceptance.

According to West Virginia Division of Health Legislative Rules 64 CSR 48-9 and 48-10, anyone wishing to receive certification from the West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services must meet and maintain the qualifications contained in this legislation. Certification will be denied or revoked to anyone not being able to meet these requirements. Contact the West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services at (304) 558-3956 or http://www.wvoems.org to obtain a copy of these requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the A.A.S. in EMS, graduates will be able to do the following:

• Be advocates for patients
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of a Paramedic within an EMS system
• Apply the basic concepts of development, pathophysiology and pharmacology to assessment and management of emergency patients
• Properly administer medications
• Communicate effectively with patients

Opportunities

Emergency Medical Services play a key role in the health care delivery system in the United States by providing the appropriate basic and advanced life support to the sick and injured to the pre-hospital setting.  The primary responsibility of the Paramedic is to provide expert emergency medical care to victims of emergencies and to transport them safely to the appropriate facility.  The individuals who successfully complete the A.A.S. will possess these attributes and will be eligible for employment with public and private EMS providers, hospitals, and aeromedical services.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the EMS professionals with expected national growth from 2019-2029 to be (6%), faster than average of all occupations, with a median national annual salary of $36,650 (2020).

Program Data

Pierpont Community & Technical College is proud to be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This means that Pierpont’s educational programs and services have been evaluated through a peer review process for quality and continuous improvement. You can be assured that our education meets acceptable quality, federal guidelines, and the transferability of credit.

Since 2013, the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) requires successful completion of an accredited program as an eligibility requirement for National EMS Certification at the Paramedic level. PCTC Paramedic program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the largest programmatic accreditor in the allied health sciences field, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). Candidates that graduate from a CAAHEP accredited program retain the ability to apply for national EMS certification that will enhance the ability to apply for reciprocity in the majority of states.

EMS Essential Functions  

EMS Handbook