Spring Semester classes are full. Open Registration for both the Summer and Fall Semesters on April 12, 2010 at 8:00 AM. Check back later this semester for the Summer and Fall class offerings.
Welcome to the Columbia State Community College EMT-IV Program.
We’re here to help you get started in the fast-paced, rewarding career that is Emergency Medical Services. This program is designed to give you the knowledge and skills needed to pass the National Registry of EMTs’ EMT Basic Written Examination and the State of Tennessee’s EMT-IV Skills Examination.
Our course is an intensive one-semester learning experience. During your time with us, you will learn basic human anatomy and physiology, patient assessment, and the treatments for any illness or injury you discover during your assessment of the patient. You will learn how to document your findings and treatments. You will learn about the legal aspects of providing prehospital care, how to communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare team, and the importance of professionalism.
An EMT-IV is a person trained to respond to, assess, treat, package, and transport victims of sudden illness or injury. As an EMT-IV you will be able to recognize cardiac or respiratory distress, altered mental status, allergic reactions, and the various types of traumatic injuries. You will be able to assess your patient and treat the patient based on your assessment. You will be able to start IV lines on, administer medications to, bandage, splint, package, and transport victims of sudden illness or injury. You will be the public's first line of treatment when they need it most.
EMT-IV is the third of four levels of prehospital providers licensed by the State of Tennessee. You earn the license by completing a State-approved course and skills test, and the National Registry of EMTs' written examination.
We hope you enjoy your experience with us.
How do I register for the EMT-IV Program?
Apply for admission to Columbia State Community College. You can apply online here or on any of the campuses.
- Make sure the College has received:
- Proof of MMR vaccination
- High School transcript
- All applicable college transcript
- ACT scores (if applicable)
Students registering for the EMT-IV program are required to show competency in, test out of, or complete DSPM 0700, DSPR 0801, DSPW 0801, and DSPW 0802. Competency in these areas may be demonstrated by a score of greater than 14 in Math and English and greater than 11 in Reading on the ACT or by taking the Compass Exam given by Testing Services.
Once you have met all entrance requirements for the College, e-mail Instructor Crabtree with your Student ID (A00...) and the campus location for the section you wish to attend. I will start accepting e-mails at 8:00 AM on the day registration starts. Classes are filled on a first to qualify, first seated basis. The "sent" stamp on your e-mail will be used to show the order of receipt. You will be provided with the information you need to register online. Make sure to use the e-mail address you check most often. You should then print the EMT-IV forms located here.
What do I need to do to get ready for the class?
Now that you have registered for the class, you must complete the Medical Forms and return them, with the exception of the Background Check and Drug Screen, on one of the mandatory orientation days. In order to complete these forms completely and properly, you must:
- Have a medical examination. The examiner should complete the Medical Statement and sign it (including their license number).
- Have blood drawn for titers to prove immunity to MMR, Chicken Pox, and Hepatitis B. If you haven't started the Hepatitis B series, you must start the injections or sign a waiver before class. Note that a copy of the lab results must be attached to the Immunity Verification Form.
- No sooner than 30 days before the class starts, you must do a Background Check and Drug Screen. You may choose from any of the three vendors. You will need a Chain of Custody form for the Drug Screen, which can be picked up at the EMS Education office on the Columbia campus in Warf 111. The results of these will be delivered directly to our staff. We can not accept hand-delivered results for either of these.
- Provide us with a copy of your health insurance card, front and back. If you do not have health insurance, it is available through Student Services.
- Order a diagnostic kit. You can order it online here.
- Buy your uniforms. We require at least one complete uniform. It is recommended that you buy at least two complete uniforms, because if your uniform gets soiled on a clinical, you must either change to a clean one or leave the clinical.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much do EMT-IVs make a year?
The average starting salary range for EMT-IVs in the Nashville area is between $28,000 and $31,000 a year. Your starting salary will depend on many factors, and should be discussed with your potential employer.
2. Where can I work as and EMT-IV?
The most obvious answer is on an ambulance. There are two types of ambulance services that you may go to work for. 911 providers, such as county EMS providers, may or may not hire someone directly out of school. Convalescent or private ambulance services are often more willing to hire a recent graduate. You may also go to work with a hospital’s Emergency Department. Other options are becoming available as the Healthcare Industry evolves.
3. How much does the course cost?
For the Fall and Spring Semesters, expect to spend between $2,800 and $3,000. For the Summer Semester, expect to spend between $3,000 and $3,200. This includes tuition, books, testing and professional fees, uniforms, transportation and food costs associated with class days and clinicals.
4. Can I get financial aid for the course?
No. There is no federal (Pell, student loans, etc) or state (Hope scholarship, etc) financial aid available for the EMT-IV course.
5. How can I advance after I earn an EMT-IV license?
There are several directions you can move in after you get your license. You can go on to nursing, physical therapy, athletic trainer, or other of the allied health professions. The most common path is to advance to the Paramedic level and the Associate of Applied Science degree offered by Columbia State. In order to earn this degree, after earning your EMT-IV license, you will need to take the following courses either before or after completing the Paramedic program:
• ENGL 1010 - Composition I (3 hours)
• MATH 1130 - College Algebra (3 hours)
• BIOL 2010 - Anatomy & Physiology I (4 hours)
• Humanities/Fine Art Elective (3 hours)
• COMM 1120 - Intro to Communications (3 hours)
• PSY 206 - Developmental Psychology (3 hours)
• BIOL 2020 - Anatomy & Physiology II (4 hours)
• BUS 242 - Principles of Supervision (3 hours)
• CIS Elective (1 - 3 hours)
• GENT 291 - General Technology Capstone (1 hour)
Completing this plan of study will earn you the Associate of Applied Science Degree from Columbia State Community College.
6. What if there might be something on my background check?
Our clinical affiliates require background checks as part of their process for screening potential interns. Once an applicant submits a background check online, the company e-mails the results of that check to a secured account at the College. There are three potential results (based on the criteria of the company doing the background check, not the program or our clinical affiliates) the College could receive: Green, Yellow, and Red.
If the results show Green, no further action is necessary. If the results show Yellow or Red, the applicant must request that a detailed summary of the background check be sent to the College. The College then submits the background check, without identifying the applicant, to each of our clinical sites for them to use in determining if they will allow an applicant access to their facilities. If even one site declines access, the applicant will be unable to complete the clinical portion of the class. This would make the applicant unable pass the course and apply for a Tennessee EMT-IV license.
If you think or know there are items that will show up on your background check, and want to know if any past record would keep you from registering for EMT or Paramedic class, you will have to submit a background check online in the same manner as someone who has already registered for the class. We will then follow our procedure with our clinical affiliates. There is a cost for each background check, and you may have to submit another background check after registering for the class because there is an expiration date on the background check (usually 30 days).
There is also a background check done by the State of Tennessee whenever a student submits a license application to the State. The State reviews this background check and makes their determination on a case-by-case basis. Neither the College nor the EMS Education Department has any input in, or control over, the State’s decision to grant or deny a license based on the results of this background check. The only way to know if you would pass this background check is to submit an application for a license. The only way to submit an application is to complete either an EMT-IV or Paramedic class.
Uniforms
Uniforms are required for all class and clinical sessions. Shirts and pants will be pressed. Being out of uniform or sloppy in appearance can lead to you being dismissed form the class or clinical for that day without the option of making it up. The uniform consists of:
- CSCC EMS Education Polo Shirt
- White crew-neck undershirt
- Navy or black uniform pants
- Black belt
- Black work-type footwear (no sneakers)
- CSCC EMS Education ID badge
Appearance Standards
- One ring per hand.
- Men will not have beards. Mustaches will stop at the corners of the mouth.
- One stud-type earring in each ear. No single earrings.
- No facial or tongue jewelry.
- All offensive tattoos will be covered. The instructor will use their discretion.
- Hair will be clean, neat in appearance, and of a natural color. Long hair will be pulled back and secured so as not to become an irritant or safety hazard to the student, other healthcare personnel, or patients.
- No hats in class.
- Fingernails should not extend more that a quarter of an inch beyond the fingertips.
- Good personal hygiene is essential.