Emergency Medical Services

Program Description

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) represents the first component of the emergency medical technician system. An EMT is trained to care for patients in their home, in an emergency situation or at the scene of an accident, and while transporting patients by ambulance to the hospital under medical direction. EMT coursework typically emphasizes emergency skills, such as patient assessment, communication, anatomy and physiology, airway management, trauma, obstetrics, and cardiac emergencies. Formal courses are combined with skills practice, practical application, and clinical time in an emergency room and on an ambulance for a total of 195 contact hours. The program also provides instruction and practice in dealing with bleeding, fractures, airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, and emergency childbirth. Students learn how to use and maintain common emergency equipment, such as suction devices, splints, oxygen delivery systems, stretchers, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, medications and, when appropriate, current backboarding devices. The program prepares the graduate to take the NREMT examination and become certified as an EMT. Career options include opportunities in hospital emergency rooms, fire departments, physicians' offices, private ambulance services, ski patrol, Urgent Care Centers, wildland firefighting, and with search and rescue.

The Paramedic represents the most advanced level of training of the Emergency Medical Technician system. At this level, the caregiver receives advanced training in patient assessment, the use of advanced procedures, medications, and the paramedic skills necessary to lead a team in the management of medical emergencies and traumatic injuries in patients of all ages. Paramedics provide the most extensive pre-hospital care. Through performance of assessments and providing advanced medical care, their goal is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury. Paramedics primarily provide care to emergency patients in and out of the hospital setting. This program prepares the graduate to take the NREMT examination and become certified or licensed as a Paramedic. Extensive related coursework and clinical and field experience are required. Students admitted to the program must have and maintain EMT certification throughout the Paramedic program and must have completed IV Therapy and basic EKG courses. It is recommended that students take Anatomy and Physiology and /or Pathophysiology prior to entering the Paramedic program.

Admission to the Paramedic program is competitive. Admission into Colorado Mesa University does not guarantee acceptance into the Paramedic program, which requires a separate application process. Paramedics should be emotionally stable, have good dexterity, agility, and physical coordination, and be able to lift and carry heavy loads. Paramedics are employed by fire, police, rescue agencies, hospitals, private ambulance companies, flight for life, and in a variety of businesses and industries with a high potential for accidental injury or illness. Graduates from either the certificate or the AAS degree program will graduate as street-ready paramedics.

Special Requirements

Students must earn a “C” or higher for all courses required for completion of the EMS programs. This policy applies regardless of when the course was taken.

Students must possess a current CPR card while in all EMS courses.

Students must be 18 years of age prior to the start of clinical rotations- see instructor.

A Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen are required for all EMS students.

As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by CMU/CMU Tech in approximately six months after completion to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that CMU Tech receives certain federal funding.

Contact Information

Office of Student Services
CMU Tech, Bishop B102
2508 Blichmann Avenue
970.255.2670

Associates

EMT - Paramedic (AAS)

Certificates

EMTS 101 Emergency Medical Technician - Basic I3 Credits

Policies, rules and regulations of emergency medical services. Basic anatomy and physiology. Initial and focused assessment of patient in the field.

Corequisites: EMTS 102 and EMTS 103.

Fees: Yes.

EMTS 102 Emergency Medical Technician - Basic II3 Credits

Management of respiratory, cardiac, CNS, endocrine, behavioral, drug, alcohol, allergy and anaphylaxis emergencies. Airway management, CPR, AED and basic pharmacology.

Corequisites: EMTS 101 and EMTS 103.

Fees: Yes.

EMTS 103 Emergency Medical Technician - Basic III4 Credits

Management of MOI, head, spinal, abdominal, chest and extremity trauma. Basic management of pediatric, gynecologic, and geriatric emergencies. EMT safety, environmental emergencies, hazmat, triage, and incident command. Preparation for national registry written and practical examination.

Corequisites: EMTS 101 and EMTS 102.

Fees: Yes.

EMTS 115 Emergency Medical Responder3 Credits

This course covers the knowledge and skills to provide emergency care for most medical emergencies. Emergency Medical Responders provide immediate care as part of the EMS system while awaiting additional EMS response and transportation. This course meets the requirements to become nationally certified as an NREMR - National Registered Emergency Medical Responder.

Fees: Yes.

EMTS 121 EMT Fundamentals3 Credits

Introduction to fundamental skills of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) student. Topics include: EMS systems, well-being of the EMT, communication, and patient assessment.

Corequisites: EMTS 122, EMTS 123, EMTS 124, and EMTS 170.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EMTS 122 EMT Medical Emergencies4 Credits

Knowledge and skills to effectively provide emergency care and transportation to a patient experiencing a medical emergency. Focus on the integration of the physical exam, medical history, and pathophysiology when assessing and treating the medical patient.

Corequisites: EMTS 121, EMTS 123, EMTS 124, and EMTS 170.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EMTS 123 EMT Trauma Emergencies2 Credits

Knowledge and skills to provide appropriate emergency care and transportation of a patient who has suffered a traumatic injury. The concepts of kinematics and the biomechanics of trauma, along with pathophysiology and injury patterns, will provide the student with the ability to assess and manage the trauma patient.

Corequisites: EMTS 121, EMTS 122, EMTS 124, and EMTS 170.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EMTS 124 EMT Special Considerations2 Credits

Knowledge and skills required to modify the assessment, treatment, and transportation of special patient populations and patients in special circumstances. This course also provides an overview of incident command, mass casualty incidents, vehicle extrication, air medical support, hazardous materials, and terrorism.

Corequisites: EMTS 121, EMTS 122, EMTS 123, and EMTS 170.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EMTS 130 Emergency Medical Technician - Basic IV Therapy2 Credits

Focuses on cognitive and skill practice as required by Colorado Prehospital Care program for EMT-Basic level IV approval. Examines criteria, procedures and techniques for IV therapy, discusses fluid and electrolyte balance and principles and treatment for shock.

Fees: Yes.

EMTS 170 EMT Clinical1 Credit

Clinical experience required for initial certification and some renewal processes.

Corequisites: EMTS 121, EMTS 122, EMTS 123, and EMTS 124.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EMTS 190 Emergency Medical Technician - Basic EKG Interpretation2 Credits

Interpretation of EKG strips, anatomy and physiology of the heart, using three-lead monitoring as a guide. Introduction to twelve-lead EKG.

EMTS 196 Topics:1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

EMTS 225 Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice3 Credits

First course of the National Standard Paramedic Curriculum as approved by the Colorado State Department of Health and Environment.

Corequisites: EMTS 225L.

EMTS 225L Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice Laboratory2 Credits

Hands-on application of patient assessment, IV therapy and EKG interpretation. Practical application and mastery of anatomy and physiology principles within a pre-hospital setting will be developed.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

Corequisites: EMTS 225.

Fees: Yes.

EMTS 227 Paramedic Special Considerations3 Credits

Focuses on a comprehensive study of Advanced Life Support Practice.