The Texas Southmost College EMS (Paramedic) Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
9355 – 113th St N., #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
FAX 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org

Due to the specialized nature of becoming a paramedic and entering the Emergency Medical Science Program, admission requirements are more rigid than general admission to TSC. Requirements for admission to the Emergency Medical Science Program include:

• Admission to TSC (acceptance into TSC does not necessarily guarantee acceptance to the Emergency Medical Science Program)
• Completion of the Application for Admission to the Emergency Medical Science Program, located on this website. Applications are due no later than June 15th of the year preceding the fall semester the student wishes to enter.
• College transcripts of all previous college work or high school transcripts if the student has not previously attended college.
• Two letters of recommendation

Students seeking an Associate of Applied Science or Certificate of Proficiency – Level 1 or Certificate of Proficiency – Level 2 must complete the application requirements on this webpage.

The EMS Program has a limitation on how many students it can admit for each cohort, which is based on clinical site access. Once an application to the program has been submitted, prospective students for the EMS program will attend an informational meeting with the EMS Program Director to ask any questions and understand the expectations and requirements of this program of study.

Students are selected based on scoring from this form against all applicants to the EMS Program for the respective application cycle. A committee of EMS Program faculty reviews applications. Decisions regarding student admission to the program will be made near the end of June, with notification of acceptance or denial sent before July 4th. Accepted students must to reply to the email within 7-10 days to confirm their admission. Accepted students will be required to attend a mandatory orientation (the date and time will be included in the acceptance letter). During the orientation, students will receive information on required immunizations, health insurance requirements, criminal background checks, attendance requirements, drug screening, and other topics specific to the current degree plan.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Up-to-date immunizations and CPR certification are required of all students before clinical assignments. This includes a current year flu shot.
• Students must provide proof of current health insurance and maintain it throughout the EMS Program.
• A current drug screening and criminal background checks will be required of allied health students before clinical assignments.
  • Applicants with a history of a felony or misdemeanor should contact the Program Director for additional information. Applicants may be required to contact the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians to determine eligibility for participation.

Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508, 85th Leg., R.S. (2017), amended Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code to add Subchapter E relating to notice to applicants to and enrollees in certain educational programs regarding the consequences of a criminal conviction on eligibility for an occupational license. Pursuant to the code, please be advised that Texas Southmost College offers programs that lead to an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001. Licensing authorities may have guidelines concerning prior criminal convictions that would make an individual ineligible for issuing a given license. If you are enrolled in a program that may prepare an individual for an occupational license and/or if you later decide to change to a program that prepares you for an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001, in accordance with state law, please be advised of the following:

1. An individual convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuing an occupational license upon completion of the educational program.
2. Each licensing authority that may issue an occupational license to an individual who completes an educational program must establish guidelines that state the reasons a particular crime is considered to relate to a particular license and any other criterion that affects the decisions of the licensing authority.
3. Local or county licensing authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal history. Applicants should contact their respective local or county licensing authority for more details.
4. A person may request a criminal history evaluation letter regarding personal eligibility for a license issued by a licensing authority under Texas Occupations Code 53.102.

Note that the provisions of Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code relating to the consequences of criminal conviction do not apply to licenses granted by the Supreme Court of Texas, law enforcement officers (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701), emergency medical services personnel (Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 773), or persons licensed by the Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Dental Examiners, or the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners that have been convicted of a felony under Chapter 481 or 483 or Section 485.003 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. Individuals seeking one of these licenses should be aware that other law provisions may apply to the consequences of a criminal conviction.

All applicants to and enrollees of Texas Southmost College are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements for the respective occupational license. Questions related to eligibility requirements should be directed to the applicable licensing authority.

Expected additional course costs

• Background check and drug test (this is a one-time fee)
• Immunizations (if not previously completed) – including the current year’s Flu shot
• Uniform shirt(s)
• Uniform pants
• Black boots
• Black belt
• Stethoscope
• Penlight/flashlight
• Watch with a secondhand
• Eye protection (that meets OSHA standards)
• Paper and printer ink (there are many documents that the student will be expected to print)
• (Optional) BP Cuff
• Textbooks
  • (For use in EMSP 1501 and 1160)… Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured (DO NOT PURCHASE PRIOR TO ORIENTATION)
  • (For use in all other EMSP courses) … Emergency Care in the Streets (DO NOT PURCHASE PRIOR TO ORIENTATION)
  • BLS (must be purchased prior to EMT section (EMSP 1501 and 1160) of the program, 1st semester)
  • ACLS (Must be purchased prior to the Cardiology (EMSP 2444) section of the program, 2nd fall semester)
  • PALS (Must be purchased prior to the Special Patients(EMSP 2330) section of the program, Summer semester)
  • (OPTIONAL) Handbook of ECC (recommended to purchase prior to the EMT section as this may be referenced in all courses of the program)

Visit the Cost of Attendance page for additional information regarding the estimated costs of attending TSC.

Program Outcomes Data for 2020
The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2020.
The most recent success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam was 58.3%.
The most recent positive placement rate for graduates was 71.4%.
Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP as being ‘Employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military.
The most recent retention rate was 100%.

Emergency Medical Technician

EMT training is designed to prepare students to provide basic life support measures as an ambulance crew member at the scene of an accident, during transport to a hospital or medical facility, and in the medical facility. Coursework combines classroom lectures, practical skills laboratory, and actual patient clinical experiences.

The following is a brief outline of topics covered in the course:

• Roles and responsibilities of the EMT
• Medical, legal, and ethical issues
• Patient assessment techniques
• Basic and advanced airway adjuncts
• Treatment of trauma emergencies
• Treatment of medical emergencies
• Ambulance operations

Paramedic

In addition to performing the skills of an EMT, paramedics are trained in advanced life support techniques, including endotracheal intubation, electrocardiogram monitoring and interpretation, DC electrical countershock, and administration of intravenous fluids and medications. Classwork includes the courses required by the United States Department of Transportation as well as BTLS, ACLS, and PALS courses. The paramedic program is fully accredited by state and national agencies.

The following is a brief outline of topics covered in the course:

• Roles and responsibilities of the paramedic
• Medical, legal, and ethical issues
• Advanced patient assessment
• Advanced airway techniques
• Treatment of trauma and medical emergencies
• Electrocardiogram (3 and 12 lead)
• DC electrical countershock
• External cardiac pacing
• Administration of IV fluids and medications
• Other advanced life support procedures, as determined by the Medical Director

EMS students must possess motor and visual skills that enable them to meet program objectives and perform job duties required in the profession. This includes the:

• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively to assess communication and adequately transmit information to the patient and members of the health care tea.
• Skills needed to perform all emergency procedures safely and accurately and manipulate equipment
• Ability to lift and move immobile and physically challenged patients
• Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time
• Emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities
• Ability to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate action

Functional Job Description

(Information obtained from the: DSHS – EMS Education and Training Manual)
Job Essentials
Functional Position Description
ECA / EMT / AEMT / EMT-P

Introduction

The following general position description for the ECA, EMT, AEMT, and EMT-P is provided as a guide for advising those interested in understanding the qualifications, competencies, and tasks required for emergency medical services certification. An employer’s ultimate responsibility is to define specific job descriptions within each Emergency Medical Services (EMS) entity.

Qualifications

To qualify for EMS certification or licensure, an individual must complete a Texas Department of Health-approved course and achieve competency in each psychomotor skill. In addition, the individual must achieve a passing score on the state written certification or licensure examination.

EMS personnel must be at least 18 years of age. Generally, the knowledge and skills required show the need for a high school education or equivalent. EMS personnel must have the ability to communicate verbally via telephone and radio equipment; the ability to lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance); the ability to interpret written, oral, and diagnostic form instructions; ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations; ability to work effectively in an environment with loud noises and flashing lights; ability to function efficiently throughout an entire work shift; ability to calculate weight and volume ratios and read the small print, both under life-threatening time constraints; ability to read and understand English language manuals and road maps; ability to accurately discern street signs and address numbers; ability to interview patient, family members, and bystanders; ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in the prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such; ability to converse in English with coworkers and hospital staff as to the status of the patient. EMS personnel should possess good manual dexterity, with the ability to perform all tasks related to the highest quality patient care. The ability to bend, stoop, and crawl on uneven terrain and withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture is vital. The ability to work in low light, confined spaces, and other dangerous environments is required.

COMPETENCY AREAS

ECA – Emergency Care Attendant

The ECA must demonstrate competency in handling emergencies utilizing all Basic Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with all behavioral objectives in the United States Department of Transportation (DOT)/First Responder curriculum and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Material,” and to include aids for resuscitation, blood pressure by palpation and auscultation, oral suctioning, spinal immobilization, patient assessment and adult, child and infant CPR. Automated external defibrillation is a required skill.

EMT- Emergency Medical Technician

The EMT must demonstrate competency in handling emergencies utilizing all Basic Life Support equipment and skills in accordance with all behavioral objectives in the DOT/EMT Basic curriculum. The course shall include at least 140 clock hours of classroom, laboratory, clinical, and field instruction, including supervised experiences in the emergency department and with a licensed EMS provider and other settings as judged appropriate by the Program Director. In addition, the information contained in the FEMA document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Material” shall be part of the course curriculum.

AEMT- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

The minimum curriculum shall include all content required by the portions of the current national paramedic education standards and competencies as defined by the DOT, which address the following areas:

• roles and responsibilities of the paramedic
• well-being of the paramedic
• illness and injury prevention
• medical/legal issues
• ethics
• general principles of pathophysiology
• pharmacology
• venous access and medication administration
• therapeutic communications
• life span development
• patient assessment
• airway management and ventilation, including endotracheal intubation
• trauma

The course shall include at least 160 clock hours of classroom, laboratory, clinical, and field instruction, including supervised experiences in the emergency department and with a licensed EMS provider and other settings as judged appropriate by the Program Director. In addition, the information contained in the FEMA document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Material” shall be part of the course curriculum. Manual external defibrillation is an optional course skill.

Paramedic

A minimum curriculum shall include all content required by the current national paramedic education standards and competencies as defined by the DOT. The course shall consist of at least 624 clock hours of classroom, laboratory, clinical, and field instruction that shall include supervised experiences in the emergency department and with a licensed EMS provider and other settings as judged appropriate by the Program Director. In addition, the information contained in the FEMA document entitled “Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Material” shall be part of the course curriculum. Manual external defibrillation is a required skill.

**Certification as an EMT basic is required as a prerequisite to this course.**

Description of Tasks:

Receives calls from the dispatcher, responds appropriately to emergency calls, reads maps, may drive ambulance to emergency site, uses most expeditious route, and observes traffic ordinances and regulations. Determines nature and extent of illness or injury. Takes pulse blood pressure, visually observes changes in skin color, auscultates breath sounds, makes a determination regarding patient status, establishes priority for emergency care, renders appropriate emergency care (based on competency level); may administer intravenous drugs or fluid replacement as directed by physician. May use equipment (based on competency level) such as but not limited to, defibrillator, electrocardiograph, performs endotracheal intubation to open airway and ventilate patient, inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment to improve patient’s blood circulation or stabilize injuries. Assists in lifting, carrying, and transporting patients to the ambulance and onto a medical facility. Reassures patients and bystanders, avoids mishandling patients and undue haste, and searches for medical identification emblems to aid care.

Extricates patient from entrapment, assesses the extent of injury, uses prescribed techniques and appliances, radios dispatcher for additional assistance or services, provides light rescue service if required, and provides additional emergency care following established protocols. Complies with regulations in handling deceased notifies authorities, and arranges for property protection and evidence at the scene. Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported, reports nature and extent of injuries or illness to the facility, asks for direction from hospital physician or emergency department. Observe patient en route and administer care as directed by the physician or emergency department or according to published protocol. Identifies diagnostic signs that require communication with the facility. Moves the patient into the emergency facility from the ambulance. Reports verbally and in writing concerning observations about the patient, patient care at the scene, and en route to the facility, assists emergency staff as required. Maintains familiarity with all specialized equipment. Replaces supplies, sends used supplies for sterilization, checks all equipment for future readiness, maintains ambulance in operable condition, ensures ambulance cleanliness and orderliness of equipment and supplies, decontaminates vehicle interior, determines vehicle readiness by checking oil, gasoline, water in battery and radiator and tire pressure.