Emergency Medical Science (EMS) & Paramedic
Emergency Medical Science
Emergency Medical Technician
VA APPROVED
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Program is designed to train individuals to become emergency medical personnel, this program teaches patient assessment and basic life support techniques including airway management and CPR; hemorrhage control; oxygen administration; shock; bandaging and splinting; skull, spine, and chest injuries; child birthing; exposure to cold and heat; and transferring patients to medical facilities.
The EMT Program is offered through a daytime or evening course. Successful completion of this course allows the student the opportunity to take the North Carolina EMT exam and the National Registry of EMT’s exam. In addition, the student will receive the American Heart Association BLS Provider certification.
The Daytime Program is a 9-10 week intensive and fast paced course designed to provide students with the basic skills needed to launch a career in Emergency Medical Services and/or Fire-EMS Services. Students in this course will meet Monday – Friday 0730-1630 for the first 28-32 days followed by 48 hours clinical rotation which will be scheduled through the clinical coordinator.
The Evening Program is a 18-22 week course designed to provide students with the basic skills needed to launch a career in Emergency Medical Services and/or Fire-EMS Services. Students in this course will meet Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1800-2200 and some Saturdays 0800-1700 followed by 48 hours clinical rotation which will be scheduled through the clinical coordinator.
Requirements to Register
1. Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent OR reading comprehension placement score of at least 11th grade equivalency OR at least 17 years of age on or before the official end date of the course with a reading comprehension placement test score of 11th grade equivalency.
2. Valid/current Driver License or permit.
3. Valid American Heart Association BLS Provider (CPR) certification. (Effective January 1, 2023)
This course will follow the guidelines established by the North Carolina Office of EMS. The curriculum for the EMT educational program shall be the 1994 release of the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) EMT-Basic Course: National Standard Curriculum and the Supplemental Airways Modules for EMT-Basic; NSC.
Course Length: 272 hours (224 lecture hours, 48 clinical hours after successful completion of the didactic portion). Day and evening classes are available. Please see the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for details on upcoming class schedules.
For more information and class dates please call Beth Himes at 910-938-6127 or email himesb@coastalcarolina.edu
EMT Clinical Requirements
DAY TIME STUDENTS: Vaccination/compliance tracker and background check must be complete by the 1st day of class. It is recommended that you work on the vaccination/compliance tracker early. The Drug Screen needs to be complete not more than 1 week prior to the course start date and is due no later than the first day of EMT class. DO NOT complete the drug screen early or it will be considered invalid and will not be accepted by our clinical site.
EVENING STUDENTS: A packet will be provided the first night of class and you will be told when you must have the drug screen and background check complete. DO NOT complete the drug screen early or it will be considered invalid and will not be accepted by our clinical site.
Criminal Background Check
Contracted clinical sites require that all students participating in the clinical experience will receive a criminal background check. The background check is done online through Castle Branch, code OQ23bg. The cost of this background check is $67 (student’s expense). See Clinical requirements above regarding due date for the Background Check based on the course for which you are registered.
Drug Screen
Contracted clinical sites require that all students participating in the clinical experience will have a drug screen completed online through Castle Branch, code OQ23dt. The cost of the drug screen is $40 (student’s expense). See Clinical requirements above regarding due date for the Drug Screen based on the course for which you are registered.
Vaccination Tracker
The student will be required to purchase a vaccination tracker through Castle Branch, code OQ23im. The cost of the vaccination tracker is $30 (student’s expense). The required vaccinations will be uploaded to Castle Branch. See Clinical Requirements above regarding due date for the Vaccination Tracker based on the course for which you are registered.
Paramedic
Our Mission Statement
The mission of the Coastal Carolina Community College Continuing Education Emergency Medical Science Paramedic program is to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.
Course Description
The Continuing Education paramedic course is designed to produce competent entry-level Paramedics who can provide treatment to the community in emergency situations. Paramedics assess the urgent needs of patients and stabilize their conditions until they receive definitive care. This treatment includes advanced life support, advanced patient assessment, airway management, pharmacological interventions, and critical decision making. The various skills a Paramedic performs may include intravenous therapy, drug administration, electrical cardioversion, induction of hypothermia, surgical airway, and many others performed in the uncontrolled environment.
Students will acquire these skills by utilizing classroom instruction, practical laboratory sessions, hospital clinical experiences, and field internships with emergency services agencies. Paramedics are employed with emergency medical services; fire and rescue services; critical care transport services; air medical services; hospitals; industry; educational institutions; and local, state, and national emergency management agencies.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to sit for the North Carolina Paramedic examination and the National Registry Paramedic examination.
Coastal also offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Science. For more information about this program, visit the Emergency Medical Science page.
| EMS Paramedic Continuing Education Outcomes | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Retention | 84.6% | 54.5% | 50% |
| Pass Rate (Cumulative NREMT/State exam within three attempts) |
70% | 100% | 100% |
| Placement | 72.7% | 100% | 100% |
Requirements
- Successful completion of an EMT program and mastery of course level competency to be determined though valid certification or competency evaluation based on current National EMS Education Standards.
- High school diploma or high school equivalency (provide documentation at registration).
- Successful completion of an entrance exam assessing basic reading comprehension and English language writing skills on a post-secondary level.
- Demonstration of mathematical skills at a minimum at the post-secondary grade level.
Hours
This 1190-hour course is divided into five consecutive modules and covers approximately 16 months. Classes will be held two evenings each week from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Online material will also be required.
Schedule
Please see the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for details on upcoming classes.
Questions?
Troy Stauter
Director, Emergency Medical Science Program
910-938-6161
stautert@coastalcarolina.edu
Beth Himes
Coordinator, Emergency Medical Science
910.938.6127
himesb@coastalcarolina.edu
Cost
The cost for the Paramedic program will be approximately $2,600 for all give modules during the 16-month period. This includes tuition, required textbooks, online resource material, criminal background check, drug screen, immunization tracker, and uniforms. This cost may vary depending on legislated tuition costs. The registration fees may be waived for North Carolina volunteer or paid, non-convalescent, lifesaving departments (EMS), volunteer or paid firefighters, and municipal, county, or state law enforcement officers, with proof of membership. Refer to the Request for Fee Exemption form for details.
Course fees will be collected at the time of registration. Students may register in person in the Kenneth B. Hurst Continuing Education Building. Students may also register by mail, email, or fax - see the Registration & Fees page for details.
Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify. Please see the Continuing Education Financial Assistance page for details.
Accreditation Status
The Coastal Carolina Community College Emergency Medical Science 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).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
To contact CoAEMSP:
214-703-8445
www.coaemsp.org
EMS In-Service 
Coastal offers EMS in-service courses monthly. Please refer to the current Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for upcoming classes.
Category: 911 Telecommunications
Emergency Telecommunicators Course
Please refer to the current Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for upcoming dates and times.
These courses are offered through the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch, by an Academy-approved instructor. Completion of these courses leads to national certification.
This course is designed to focus on developing the essential knowledge and skills required to function as an Emergency Telecommunicator. The course will include lecture with practical application, as well as visiting an actual Public Safety Telecommunications Center.
Prerequisites
- 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED® diploma
Hours
40 hours, Monday – Thursday, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. Classes are scheduled as needed.
Textbook
- Emergency Telecommunicator Course Manual
The textbook is available through the College Store or Priority Dispatch.
Emergency Medical Dispatch
Please refer to the current Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for upcoming dates and times.
These courses are offered through the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch, by an Academy-approved instructor. Completion of these courses leads to national certification and North Carolina Emergency Medical Dispatcher credential.
This course is designed to prepare the student to perform the functions of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) using the Medical Priority Dispatch System. Through lecture, demonstration, and hands-on practice, this class will cover all the aspects of the job of EMD. Upon successful completion of this class, the student will be qualified to test for credentialing as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
Prerequisites
- High School diploma OR
- GED OR
- Reading comprehension score of 10.0th grade or higher
Hours
24 hours – 3 consecutive days, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Classes scheduled as needed.
Registration
Students are required to register at least two weeks in advance through Coastal Carolina Community College ($71, unless fee waived) AND through Priority Dispatch. Fees charged by Priority Dispatch includes textbooks, National Certification, and exam; these fees are separate than those of Coastal Carolina Community College and are required as part of the registration process.
Textbooks
- Principles of Emergency Medical Dispatch
- EMD Course Manual
- EMD Scenario Manual
Books are issued in class.