Program Overview

Introduction to the Emergency Medical Services Program

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program is a challenging and exciting profession that requires quick reaction and competent care. EMS professionals may work at various levels, including first responder, EMTbasic, EMTintermediate, and paramedic. Upon successful completion of training, students are eligible for employment in numerous emergency medical systems nationwide.

Program Overview

The program offers all levels of EMS education, as well as an opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree at the paramedic level. Successful completion of an EMS program allows for certification/licensure testing at the state and national level. At each EMS program level, students gain additional knowledge and skills to enable them to function in clinical and field settings with nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.

Curriculum

In classes, students learn about:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Pathophysiology of diseases
• Traumatic injuries
• Pharmacology
• Cardiac care Students acquire skills through:
  • Laboratory practice
  • Clinical experience in hospitals
  • Field experience with ambulance services throughout the state

Program Accreditation

The Emergency Medical Services Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession (CoAEMSP). The program is also approved by the New Mexico Office of Health Emergency Management.

Required Skills and Abilities

All EMS programs require that students be able to:

• Lift, carry, and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance)
• Carry out emergency and non-emergency patient care
• Withstand varied environmental conditions, such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture

Program Prerequisites and Entrance Requirements

Specific entrance requirements and prerequisites vary depending on the qualifications of the applicant and the level of training/licensure sought:

EMTBasic

• Passed approved background check and drug screening
• Documentation of vaccinations:
  • MMR twice since 1980 or Rubella and Rubeola titers
  • TB screening with expiration past end of semester
  • Varicella immunity (titer or proof of vaccination accepted)
  • TDAP within 10 years
  • Hepatitis B series or titers or declination waiver
  • Flu shot if in season (October-March)
• Successful completion of OEEM 153
• Eligible for ENGL 1110G Composition I

EMTIntermediate

• Copy of current New Mexico State Emergency TechnicianBasic license
• OR successful completion of EMTBasic coursework and EMTBasic license in hand by the first day of class of EMTIntermediate program
• Score of no less than 80 percent on departmental entrance exam
• Passed approved background check and drug screening
• Documentation of vaccinations:
  • MMR twice since 1980 or Rubella and Rubeola titers
  • TB screening with expiration past end of semester
  • Varicella immunity (titer or proof of vaccination accepted)
  • TDAP within 10 years
  • Hepatitis B series or titers or declination waiver
  • Flu shot if in season (October-March)

EMTParamedic

• Applicants will be judged according to the following criteria and submissions:
  • Copy of current New Mexico EMTBasic or EMTIntermediate license
  • Written, oral, and practical assessment exams at the EMTBasic or EMTIntermediate level, depending on current licensure
  • Completion of the following courses:
    • OEEM 153: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology for the EMS Provider
    • OEEM 201: Human Pathophysiology
    • OEEM 206: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care
    • OEEM 207: Introduction to Pharmacology
  • Copy of current healthcare provider CPR card
  • High school and/or college transcript(s) and GPA
  • Accuplacer/ACT scores in English and math
  • Completed departmental application, including résumé and letter of intent
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Passed approved background check and drug screening
  • Documentation of vaccinations:
    • MMR twice since 1980 or Rubella and Rubeola titers
    • TB screening with expiration past end of semester
    • Varicella immunity (titer or proof of vaccination accepted)
    • TDAP within 10 years
    • Hepatitis B series or titers or declination waiver
    • Flu shot if in season (October-March)

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a certificate or an associate degree, students must earn a C or better in all OEEM courses and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0.