EMT Program

EMT Program

Summer 2023 Offering

Interested candidates should also ensure they have completed the admissions process into the college including the removal of all applicable holds before they will be considered for the EMT program. Candidates will be contacted one time by a member of the Health Science's Department regarding any outstanding items missing that are preventing them from being accepted into the program. Only the EMT/AEMT Program Coordinator admits students into the EMT program. Students that have been accepted into the EMT program will be contacted by the Program Coordinator to inform them of their acceptance. Please refer all questions regarding program admission/acceptance to the EMT/AEMT Coordinator McKenzie Leonard at mleonard1@ColumbiaState.edu. 

Summer 2023 EMT Requests for Enrollment opened on 3/1/2023.

What is the EMT Program? 
The Emergency Medical Technician: (EMT) course is an academy-style, semester long program designed to educate and train students to serve as a vital member of a pre-hospital EMS team. This course provides students with the necessary didactic and practical training to perform life-saving skills.  Additionally, students will learn to work alone as well as in a squad-based (team) environment.  Classes are offered year round both during the day and in the evening (summer offerings limited to 1 class).  Day classes are offered 2 days/week while evening classes are offered 4 nights/week usually Monday through Thursday 5:30- 9:30PM. Location of classes vary from semester to semester.

What about clinical rotation requirements?
Students will schedule and attend 96 hours of clinical rotations outside of class. These rotations will be at clinical sites specified by the instructor cadre. Generally, shifts are divided into 12-hour shifts constituting approximately 8 days of clinical rotations throughout the program.  

What is the first step? Apply for admission to Columbia State Community College. You can apply online or on any of the campuses. Ensure the college has received:

• Proof of MMR Vaccination
• High School Transcript
• All college transcripts
• ACT Scores (if applicable)

Documentation of Varicella Zoster immunizations (2) or positive titer

EMT and Paramedic candidates must, at a minimum, place at competency Level 1 in all categories (Math, Reading, Writing.)  Competency status is each area is validated by ACT sub-scores OR through institutional placement testing through Testing Services.

What's needed after college admittance?
With the exception of the BACKGROUND CHECK and DRUG SCREEN, students admitted to the class must complete the medical forms ("Register EMS Academy Students Only" tab, scroll down to incoming EMT Students) and upload all required documents to the Health Sciences Record Clark at healthrecords@columbiastate.edu prior to the MANDATORY orientation day(s).

1. Have a medical examination. The examiner should complete the Medical Statement and sign it (including their license number).
2. 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.  No waiver is available for this. Note that a copy of the lab results must be attached to the Immunity Verification Form.
3. Provide us with a copy of your health insurance card, front and back. If you do not have health insurance, it is available through AIG Educational Markets. 
4. Buy your uniforms. We require at least one complete uniform. It is recommended that you buy at least two complete uniforms in case your uniform gets soiled while at a clinical rotation.  In that case, you will need to either change into your second uniform or leave the clinical site.  Clinical time is extremely limited!
5. No sooner than 60 days before the class starts, admitted students must submit a Background Check and Drug Screen. These items are initiated through the Truescreen web site. Program/college personnel do not accept hand-delivered results.

Advancing after earning an EMT license.
There are several directions you can move in after you get your license. Completers may choose to pursue careers in nursing, physical therapy, athletic trainer, or any other health sciences profession.  The most common path is to advance to the Paramedic certificate and then the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in either General Technology or Health Sciences (both offered by Columbia State.)  The AAS degree requires completion of additional general education courses in English, Math, Biology, Speech, Humanities, Social Sciences, and a GENT or Health Sciences capstone course.  (see Health Sciences or General Technology degree information sheets for curriculum outlines.)