Program Description

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) courses provide the opportunity to earn up to three certificates and the eligibility to become a licensed EMT in Illinois.

Individuals in Emergency Medical Services provide immediate care to critically ill or injured persons and may transport them to the hospital. They determine the nature and extent of the patient's condition. Following strict procedures, they give appropriate critical intervention and transport the patient. They administer drugs, lift and carry the patient on a stretcher to the ambulance and radio the patient's condition to medical personnel at the hospital. Other duties may include replacing supplies and inspecting and maintaining the ambulance and medical equipment.

Beyond these general duties, the specific responsibilities of EMTs and paramedics depend on their level of qualification and training. To determine this, the national Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) registers emergency medical service (EMS) providers at four levels: First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT - Paramedic. The EMT - Basic represents the first component of the emergency medical technician system. An EMT-B is trained to care for patients on accident scenes and on transport by ambulance to the hospital under medical direction. The EMT-B has the emergency skills to assess a patient's condition and manage respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies. The EMT-Intermediate has more advanced training that allows administration of intravenous fluids and medications, use of manual defibrillators to give lifesaving shocks to a stopped heart, and use of advanced airway techniques and equipment to assist patients experiencing respiratory emergencies. EMT-Paramedics provide care already described, in addition they may administer drugs orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), and use monitors and other complex equipment.

Emergency Medical Personnel work for private ambulance services, hospitals, and municipal fire, police or rescue squad departments.

Formal training and certification is needed to become an EMT or paramedic. All 50 states possess a certification/licensure procedure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, US Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Public Health approves Sauk's program. To maintain certification/ licensure, EMTs and Paramedics must renew their license every 4 years. In order to maintain certification/ licensure an individual must be working and meet a continuing education requirement. Desirable personal qualities include responsibility, dependability, enjoyment in working with people and ability to work as a team member. It is essential to be able to make quick and levelheaded reactions to life-or-death situations. Emergency medical personnel are required to do considerable kneeling, bending and heavy lifting. The work is not only physically strenuous, but also stressful involving life-or-death situations and suffering patients. The work is challenging, but offers an opportunity to help others.

EMT-B/EMS 101

1. Complete the College general admission procedure
2. Provide prior to or on the first day of class:
   
   1. High School diploma or GED.
   2. Proof of age 18
   3. Copy of current Health Care Provider CPR card/CPR for Professional Rescuer card.
   4. Health and immunization requirements will be detailed at the first class session.

EMT€“I/EMS 103

1. Complete the College general admission procedure.
2. Contact EMS office at 285-5560 or 285-5561
3. Provide the following:
   
   1. Copy of current EMT-B license.
   2. Documented permission from an intermediate level ambulance service to provide precepted field experience.
   3. Health and immunization requirements will be detailed at the first class session.

EMT-P/EMS 106

1. Complete the College general admission procedure.
2. Contact EMS office at 285-5560 or 285-5561
3. Provide the following:
   
   1. Copy of current EMT-B or EMT-I license.
   2. Documented permission from a paramedic level ambulance service to provide precepted field experience.
   3. Health and immunization requirements will be detailed at the first class session.

Failure to meet admission requirements may result in dismissal.

Before the first day of class.

Sauk Valley Community College is required by law to give preference to in-district resident candidates. Out-of-district applicants will be considered if space is available.

Program Contacts
Doug Sears, EMS Instructor, 815/285-5561, dsears@ksbhospital.com
Monica Fane, EMS Instructor, 815/285-5561, mfane@ksbhospital.com

Occupation Profiles

The occupational code(s) below will help you identify possible career paths for this certificate program. Click on the code to view the occupational profile(s).

CIP Code:

51.0904

SOC Code:

29-2041

Estimated Program Cost

The following figures are based on current tuition and fee rates and estimated per-credit-hour cost of attendance for the required number 46 credit hours.

Success Rates

Job Placement Rate: N/A

Loans

Median loan debt for completers

N/A

Title IV loan debt

$.00

Private loan debt

$.00

Institutional debt

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