Overview
Emergency Medical Services is an allied health specialty whose practitioners respond to emergencies before a patient reaches a hospital, rendering basic and advanced medical treatment before and during transport to a medical facility. Classroom, clinical and field internship training prepares Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) to assess and treat a wide variety of medical emergencies. The knowledge, skills and experience gained through a one semester program allows students to meet the responsibilities outlined in the Department of Transportation’s Emergency Medical Services Education Standards.
The goal of the ARC Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) program is to prepare individuals to render pre-hospital advanced life support within an organized Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system.
The American River College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession (CoEMSP)
Roadmaps
Road maps lay out all of the courses you need to take for a given degree or certificate.
Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) Courses
EMT 109 Emergency Medical Responder
- Same As:PMED 108
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Documentation of current certification in American Heart Association Healthcare Provider or Basic Life Support level CPR must be presented on the first day of the course. Not open to students with current NREMT or California State certification or license as an EMR, EMT, Advanced EMT or paramedic.
- Advisory:ENGRD 116 and MATH 42 with grades of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of prehospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS). It is intended to prepare the student for national, state, or local certification as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). The EMR responds to patients suffering from medical and trauma related emergencies and assists other EMS personnel during ambulance transport. This course can be taken once for credit and is a prerequisite to EMT 110. The course conforms to the 2019 National EMS Scope of Practice Model and 2021 EMS National Education Standards. Field trips and off-campus lab assignments may be required.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- describe the levels of EMS providers and their roles in the health care system.
- demonstrate the professional attributes expected of EMRs.
- utilize simple and effective communication techniques with patients, bystanders, and other emergency responders.
- perform the duties of an EMR with the appropriate regard for medical-legal and ethical issues, including functioning under medical direction and within the scope of practice.
- apply simple communication and examination techniques to recognize life-threatening conditions and help choose the appropriate patient care interventions.
- safely manage the scene of an emergency and lead a team of EMRs.
EMT 110 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Didactic
- Units:6
- Hours:81 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Documentation of current American Heart Association CPR Basic Life Support certification. No other form of CPR certification will be accepted. Students must be present and provide a copy of the AHA BLS CPR certification on the first day of the course. Not open to students with current NREMT or California State certification or licensure as an EMT, EMT-Basic, Advanced EMT or paramedic.
- Advisory:AH 110 and PMED 108; MATH 32 (Pre-Algebra), or MATH 42 (Algebra Readiness - Part II)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course provides academic preparation and psychomotor skills training to prepare the student for EMT 111, the Basic Life Support (BLS) clinical and field practicum. Successful completion of EMT 110 and EMT 111 will make the student eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) EMT certification exam. Topics include the BLS knowledge, application, and problem solving necessary to work as an EMT (formerly known as EMT-Basic or EMT-1) in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field for an ambulance service, fire department, emergency department, or other specialized service. A “C” letter grade as well as successful completion of the EMT 110 Exit Exam and psychomotor skill tests are required to be eligible for EMT 111. The course conforms to the 2007 National EMS Scope of Practice Model and 2009 EMS National Education Standards and complies with Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 2 of the California State Code of Regulations. This course is approved by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency of the Sacramento County Health Department. Off-campus lab assignments may be required.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- evaluate the acuity of an illness or injury during simulated patient care encounters based on a given scenario, assessment findings and diagnostic data.
- formulate a field diagnosis, a differential diagnosis and an appropriate plan for treatment and transport, given a set of typical signs, symptoms and vital signs data.
- perform typical BLS tasks safely and effectively while conforming to NREMT and California State standards.
- demonstrate the requisite knowledge, knowledge application and problem-solving ability appropriate for an entry-level EMT during a validated, predictive Exit Exam covering the same topic areas as the NREMT certification exam.
- list the appropriate pharmacological knowledge required for the medications outlined in the National EMT Scope of Practice Model.
- describe the methods and skills needed to safely and effectively administer the medications outlined in the National EMT Scope of Practice Model during a simulated patient encounter.
- demonstrate the affective attributes expected of an entry-level EMT and Allied Healthcare professional.
EMT 111 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practicum
- Units:1
- Hours:54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:EMT 110 with a grade of "C" or better
- Enrollment Limitation:Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification or equivalent is required. Must be able to pass a qualifying background check and drug screen, show proof of current immunizations. The student must be able to purchase online resources, malpractice insurance as well as a uniform and other lab equipment. This course is not available to students with current EMT certification or who are licensed paramedics since they have already achieved the learning outcomes for this course. Due to regulatory requirements, this course must be completed less than twelve months after the beginning of EMT 110.
- Advisory:AH 311; MATH 32 (Pre-Algebra), or MATH 42 (Algebra Readiness - Part II)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course provides the supervised practical lab hours necessary to complete EMT education after completion of EMT 110. Successful completion of EMT 110 and EMT 111 will make the student eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) EMT certification exam. The student is placed in the clinical and field environments necessary to obtain the minimum required patient contacts. This course conforms to the 2007 National EMS Scope of Practice Model as well as the 2009 EMS National Education Standards and complies with Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 2 of the California State Code of Regulations. This course is approved by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency of the Sacramento County Health Department. Field trips or off-campus lab assignments are required. This course is Pass/No Pass only.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate the affective attributes associated with both an EMT and an Allied Healthcare professional.
- assess, manage, treat and either transport or prepare for transport a minimum of ten ill or injured patients utilizing fundamental EMT knowledge and skills.
- explain the practical responsibility of the EMT during the transfer of care using personal experience with actual prehospital and hospital patient contacts.
- demonstrate, during simulated or actual patient contacts, the appropriate strategies used when confronted by a patient-initiated refusal of care and/or transport.
- draft patient care reports, for at least five actual patient contacts, that exceed the minimum standards for prehospital documentation and data entry.
- interview, using the appropriate therapeutic communication techniques, all the parties necessary to acquire the information necessary to ascertain an actual or simulated patient's condition.
EMT 150 Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Didactic
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:HEED 310 and 323 with grades of "C" or better
- Enrollment Limitation:Current Healthcare Provider CPR or equivalent recognition and California State EMT certification are required. The student must be able to purchase online resources as well as a uniform and other lab equipment. This course is not available to certified NREMT or California State Advanced EMTs or paramedics.
- Advisory:AH 311, BIOL 102, and PMED 105; ENGWR 102, and ENGRD 116 with a grade of “C” or better; OR ESLR 320 and ESLW 320 with a grade of “C” or better; MATH 32 (Pre-Algebra), or MATH 42 (Algebra Readiness - Part II)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course provides academic preparation and psychomotor skills training to prepare the student for EMT 151, the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) clinical and field Internship. Successful completion of EMT 150 and EMT 151 will make the student eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) Advanced EMT certification exam. Topics include the Limited Advanced Life Support (LALS) knowledge, application and problem solving skills necessary to work as an AEMT (formerly known as EMT-Intermediate or EMT-2) in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field for an ambulance service, fire department, emergency department or other specialized service. A “C” letter grade as well as successful completion of the EMT 150 Exit Exam and psychomotor skill tests are required to be eligible for EMT 151. The course conforms to the 2007 National EMS Scope of Practice Model and 2009 EMS National Education Standards and complies with Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 3 of the California State Code of Regulations. This course is approved by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency of the Sacramento County Health Department. Field trips or off-campus lab assignments are required.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- distinguish between sub-acute, acute and unmanageably ill or injured patients during simulated patient care encounters based on a given scenario, assessment findings and diagnostic data.
- formulate a field diagnosis, a differential diagnosis and an appropriate plan for LALS treatment and transport, given a set of typical signs, symptoms and vital sign data.
- demonstrate the willingness and ability to perform the typical LALS procedures and tasks safely and effectively while conforming to NREMT and California State standards.
- demonstrate the requisite knowledge, knowledge application and problem-solving ability appropriate for an entry-level AEMT during an Exit Exam covering the same topic areas as the NREMT certification exam.
- perform, in a safe and effective manner, the administration of LALS medications outlined in the National EMT Scope of Practice Model during a static skill exam or simulated patient encounter.
- choose the BLS and LALS airway management techniques optimal for a simulated patient with a given condition in a variety of typical field conditions.
- demonstrate the affective attributes expected of an entry-level AEMT and Allied Healthcare professional.
EMT 151 Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Internship
- Units:3.5
- Hours:189 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:EMT 150, HEED 310, and HEED 323 with grades of "C" or better
- Enrollment Limitation:Current Healthcare Provider CPR or equivalent certification and California State EMT certification is required. The student must be able to pass a qualifying background check and drug screen, show proof of current immunizations. The purchase of online resources, malpractice insurance as well as a uniform and other lab equipment is also required. This course must be completed less than six months after the completion of EMT 150. This course is not available to NREMT or California State certified AEMTs or paramedics.
- Advisory:AH 311 and BIOL 102; PMED 105 or NURSE 320
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course provides supervised clinical and field internship experience at the Limited Advanced Life Support (LALS) scope of practice. Successful completion of EMT 150 and EMT 151 makes the student eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification exam. The course conforms to the 2007 National EMS Scope of Practice Model and 2009 EMS National Education Standards and complies with Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 3 of the California State Code of Regulations. This course is approved by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency of the Sacramento County Health Department. Field trips or off-campus lab assignments are required.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- assess, manage, treat, and either transport or prepare for transport ill and injured patients utilizing fundamental AEMT knowledge and skills.
- analyze typical and unusual case studies that reflect the practical responsibility of the AEMT during the transfer of care using his or her experience with actual prehospital patient contacts.
- critique, in a quality improvement format, simulated or actual patient contacts including the LALS treatment of medical and trauma patients as well as cases of patient-initiated refusal or care and/or transport.
- draft patient care reports for at least ten actual LALS patient contacts that exceed the minimum standards for prehospital documentation and data entry.
- interview, using the appropriate therapeutic communication techniques, all the parties needed to acquire the information necessary to ascertain an actual or simulated patient's condition.
- demonstrate the affective attributes associated with both an AEMT and an Allied Healthcare professional.
- assess, provide care for, and document a minimum of ten individual ALS patients to whom the intern appropriately administered intravenous fluids, LALS medications, a perilaryngeal airway or defibrillation in either the hospital or field setting.
EMT 298 Work Experience in Emergency Medical Technology
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Hours:30 - 300 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Students must be in a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job related to the emergency medical technology field with a cooperating site supervisor. Students are advised to consult with the Emergency Medical Technology faculty to review specific certificate and degree work experience requirements.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
- General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2023
This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within the emergency medical technology field. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in associate degree level or certificate occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce, completion of Title 5 required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site, and developing workplace skills and competencies.
During the semester, the student is required to complete 37.5 hours of related paid work experience, or 30 hours of related unpaid work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 37.5 or 30 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units. All students are required to attend the first class meeting, a mid-semester meeting, and a final meeting. Additionally, students who have not already successfully completed a Work Experience course will be required to attend weekly orientations while returning participants may meet individually with the instructor as needed. Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times when there are new or expanded learning objectives. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate mastery of specific job skills in the emergency medical technology field related to an associate degree or certificate occupational program level career as written in the minimum three (3) learning objectives created by the student and their employer or work site supervisor at the start of the course.
- make effective decisions, use workforce information, and manage their personal career plans.
- behave professionally, ethically, and legally during work, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational norms.
- behave responsibly during work, exhibiting initiative and self-management in situations where it is needed.
- develop effective leadership skills during work, with consideration to group dynamics, team and individual decision making, and workforce diversity.
- communicate in oral, written, and other formats, as needed, in a variety of contexts during work.
- locate, organize, evaluate, and reference information during work.
- demonstrate originality and inventiveness during work by combining ideas or information in new ways, making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, and reshaping goals in ways that reveal new possibilities using critical and creative thinking skills such as logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.
