Program Details
Career Studies Certificate in Emergency Medical Services - Emergency Medical Technician
Career Studies CertificateJ Sargeant Reynolds Community College
This program is included in: G3
Emergency Medical Technicians provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life threatening emergencies. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight. Emergency Medical Technicians perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. Emergency Medical Technicians are a critical link between the scene of an emergency and the health care system. [From the: National EMS Scope of Practice Model] The Virginia EMT program is based upon the Virginia EMS Education Standards. Virginia certification requires successful completion of a standardized cognitive and psychomotor skills examination. This course is designed to train individuals to serve as a vital link in the chain of the health care team. This includes all skills necessary to provide emergency medical care as an attendant-in-charge with a basic life support ambulance service or other specialized rescue service. For Virginia trained EMT, successful certification at the National Registry EMT level will automatically lead to a Virginia EMT certification. National Registry EMT certified technicians trained outside of Virginia must apply for Virginia certification before being allowed to practice at this level. After receiving Virginia credentials, the EMT has the option to maintain National Registry EMT certification without affecting their Virginia certification; however, Virginia certification must be maintained in order to provide patient care at this level.
Outcomes
Students will acquire the skills and knowledge required to assess and mange patients of all ages with a variety of complaints, medical conditions, and traumatic injuries as an EMT. The students will demonstrate and employ the professional attributes expected of the EMT. Students will perform and demonstrate the roles and responsibilities of an EMT with regard to personal safety and wellness, as well as safety of others. The student will perform the duties of an EMT with regard for medical-legal and ethical issues, function successfully under supervision/direction, and within the scope of practice. Develop an awareness of the entrance requirements for careers in the emergency medical services. Students will apply critical thinking skills necessary to utilize appropriate strategies and tactics to safely manage incidents in emergency medical operations.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | Critical Thinking, Self Starter, Extensive knowledge of Anat & Physiology, |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes In addition to the general college curricular admission requirements, students must have a current CPR card from either the American Heart Association-BLS Provider or the American Red Cross Professional Rescuer prior to the start of the first day of class. Students without a current CPR card must complete EMS 100 - CPR for Healthcare Providers or HLT 105 - CPR prior to the start of EMS classes. EMS 100 will be offered the weekend prior to the first day of class for EMS 111. Students desiring to further their emergency medical training and capabilities should consider the Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic Associate of Applied Science degree after completing this career studies certificate. All potential EMS students are encouraged to meet with the EMS Program Coordinator prior to the start of each semester. Eligibility to attend an Emergency Medical Responder or an Emergency Medical Technician course in Virginia requires that you must: (1) Be proficient in reading, writing and speaking the English language. (2) Be a minimum of 16 years of age at the beginning date of the certification course. If less than 18 years of age, you must provide the course coordinator with a completed parental permission form with the signature of a parent or guardian verifying approval for enrollment in the course. (3) Have no physical or mental impairment that would render them unable to perform all cognitive and psychomotor skills required for that level of certification. (4) Hold current certification in an Office of Emergency Medical Services approved Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course at the beginning date of the course. This certification must also be current at the time of state testing. (5) Not have been convicted of or found guilty of any crime, offense or regulatory violation, or participated in any other prohibited conduct identified in state EMS regulations as follows: (A) Have never been convicted or found guilty of any crime involving sexual misconduct where lack of affirmative consent by the victim is an element of the crime. (B) Have never been convicted of a felony involving the sexual or physical abuse of children, the elderly or the infirm. (C) Have never been convicted or found guilty of any crime (including abuse, neglect, theft from, or financial exploration) of a person entrusted to their care or protection in which the victim is a patient or is a resident of a health care facility. (D) Have never been convicted or found guilty of any crime involving the use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs except that the person is eligible for affiliation or enrollment five years after the date of final release if no additional crimes of this type have been committed during that time. (E) Have never been convicted or found guilty of any other act that is a felony except that the felon is eligible for affiliation or enrollment five years after the date of final release if no additional felonies have been committed during that time. (F) Are not currently under any disciplinary or enforcement action from another state EMS office or other recognized state or national healthcare provider licensing or certifying body. Personnel subject to these disciplinary or enforcement actions may be eligible for certification provided there have been no further disciplinary or enforcement actions for five years prior to application for certification in Virginia. (G) Have never been subject to a permanent revocation of license or certification by another state EMS office or recognized state or national healthcare provider licensing or certifying body. (6) All references to criminal acts or convictions under this section refer to substantially similar laws or regulations of any other state or the United States. Convictions include prior adult convictions, juvenile convictions, and adjudications of delinquency based on an offense that would have been, at the time of conviction, a felony conviction if committed by an adult within or outside Virginia. (7) Be clean and neat in appearance. (8) May not be under the influence of any drugs or intoxicating substances that impairs your ability to provide patient care or operate a motor vehicle while in class or performing clinicals, while on duty or when responding or assisting in the care of a patient. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students must enroll in EMS 111 & EMS 120 together. Must be 16 yrs of age to enroll. No Felony convictions within 5 years. Must obtain EMT Certification before officially enrolling into Paramedic courses.
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | EMS 100 is a prerequisite for EMS 111 & EMS 120120 |
Doing More With Your Degree | Public Safety (Fire & EMS), Hospital, Ski Resort First Aid Team, Prepares students to become Paramedic, |
Program Successes & Highlights | Multiple Field EMS Partners, 80-90% job placement rate, state of the art equipment, Immersive simulation lab, vast knowledge of instructors, student support provided throughout program |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Not Required |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
Credit for Prior Learning | Prior learning is considered |
Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | https://issuu.com/reynoldscommunitycollege/docs/digital_hs_recruitment_packet?fr=sZmMwOTQ3OTA5NA |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Not Required |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Emergency Medical Services, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergengy Medical Services Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Radford University | BS in Emergency Services | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Ferrum College | B.S. in Emergency Services | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Ferrum College | B.S. in Paramedic | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Ferrum College | A.A.S. in Paramedic | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
29-2042.00 | Emergency Medical Technicians | Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
25-1071.00 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
29-2043.00 | Paramedics | Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
Cost To Complete
