Emergency Medical Services--FAQs

When will the next class start?

Fall and Spring Semesters
EMS1101 “Emergency Medical Technician” will begin the week of Jan. 12, 2009 (spring semester) and Aug. 24, 2009 (fall semester). The following sections are offered:

• EMS-101-001 is tentatively scheduled to meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8-11:50 a.m.

• EMS-101-002 is tentatively scheduled to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-11:50 a.m.

• EMS-101-003 is tentatively scheduled to meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from Noon-3:50 p.m.

• EMS-101-004 is tentatively scheduled to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Noon-3:50 p.m.

• EMS-101-201 is tentatively scheduled to meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-9:50 p.m.

• EMS-101-202 is tentatively scheduled to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9:50 p.m.

• EMS-101-270 is tentatively scheduled to meet on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.-with an hour lunch break.

Current Schedule

Summer Session
EMS1101 - “Emergency Medical Technician” will begin the week of May 18, 2009. The following section is offered:

• EMS 101-001 is tentatively scheduled to meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8-11:50 a.m. for 11 weeks. Class ends July 31, 2009.

Which clinical sites are used during the program?
Students enrolled in EMS 101 (EMT-B) will be assigned to clinical rotations at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Palos Community Hospital, Orland Fire Protection Dispatch, and several fire departments in the Chicago's south suburbs. Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center serves as the clinical site for the Paramedic Certificate Program (EMT-P).

How Do I Apply to the Program?
No application for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) level is necessary – all you need to do is register for EMS1101. Choose from one of the class sections listed above. Registration procedures (in person, telephone or online)

Admission to the paramedic (EMT-P) program is by application. For an application to the EMT-P Program offered in partnership with Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center, call (708) 974-5708. The Career Program Subdivision secretaries will be happy to mail the application to you.

How much does the program cost?
Costs for EMS 101 Emergency Medical Technician - 8 Credit Hours:

(In-district) Tuition, college activity fee, and tech fee-$77/credit hour + $2/credit hour (college activities fee) + $3 technology fee = $82 total charge/credit hour

(Out of district) Tuition, college activity fee, and tech fee-$222/credit hour + $2/credit hour (college activities fee) + $3 technology fee = $227 total charge/credit hour

Course Fee-$27

Student ID fee (Added to the cost of the first credit hour)-$3

Total registration cost for EMS-101:
Students registering for EMS 101 can expect a bill from Moraine Valley Community College at least for the amounts listed below:
In-District Students: $686.40
Out-of-District Students: $1846

Additional Costs:

• Books: The total costs of the required textbooks is approximately $150. The books purchased for EMS-101 also may be used as reference texts in paramedic training. Please visit the Bookstore’s Web site for the most accurate information regarding costs.

• Stethoscopes: Stethoscopes cost approximately $10-$20 and are available in the Bookstore.

• Uniforms: Uniform requirements include an MVCC EMS Student polo shirt (available in the Bookstore), navy docker slacks, closed-toe, non-skid black shoes and black socks and a watch with the ability to count seconds.

• Verification of High School Completion: Students are required to submit verification of high school completion. Actual prices are available by calling your high school. Foreign transcripts must be formally evaluated.

How do I obtain an evaluation of my foreign transcript?
Foreign transcripts must be evaluated to determine if your education is the equivalent of an American high school diploma.

First, call the Moraine Valley Community College International Student Affairs Department at (708) 974-5334 to request an appointment to have your foreign transcripts evaluated. Sometimes this department can assist with this and sometimes they cannot, depending on volume. Here is the Web site for the International Student Affairs Department: http://www.morainevalley.edu/international.

Agencies used previously by Moraine Valley students are referenced below:
Education Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 51407
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
(414) 289-3400
(414) 289-3411 FAX
E-mail: eval@ece.org
Web site: www.ece.org

World Education Services, Inc.
Midwest Office
P.O. Box 11623
Chicago, IL 60611-0623
(312) 222-0882
(312) 222-1217 FAX
E-mail: Midwest@wes.org

The evaluation process may be lengthy, so please begin as soon as possible. Students are allowed to select a clinical site with a pending foreign transcript evaluation, but will not be allowed to graduate until the process is completed.

Are there additional requirements before attending clinical?
Yes. Students must provide the EMS Program Coordinator with documentation that all of the following requirements are completed:

• CPR for Health Care Provider Training: Students who are not already CPR certified must obtain CPR certification as a separate activity during EMS-101. Costs for CPR training range from $25-$60. Moraine Valley offers CPR for Healthcare Provider training through the Workforce Development and Community Services department of the college. The course number is AH8-039. For more information on CPR for Healthcare Providers, please contact Aurora Zwick, Workforce Development, at (708) 974-5735. Students are financially responsible for the CPR training required.

• Physical Examination: Students are required to obtain a physical examination in preparation for clinical training. The student is responsible for the cost of the physical examination, and all of the immunizations, blood tests, and tuberculosis tests specified on the physical examination form. The Student History and Physical Form is available from the EMS Program Coordinator and in the Career Programs Subdivision Office, B150. Costs for these requirements range from $150-$300.

• Health insurance: Moraine Valley Community College requires students to carry personal health insurance for the duration of their clinical rotation. Public Aid, coverage extended as a result of spousal or parental insurance policies are acceptable.

• Drug Screen: Students will be required to submit to and successfully complete a drug screen prior to clinical assignment. Unsuccessful completion of the drug screen requirement will prohibit a student from receiving a clinical assignment. Students may not repeat a failed drug screen within the same semester. Students may take the drug screen at the facility of their choice, however the drug screen must be a 10-panel drug screen. The results of the drug screen must be mailed or faxed to the program coordinator. Students may not directly hand the results of the drug screen to their instructors. Cost: approximately $30.

• Criminal Background Checks: In order to comply with certain state statutes and/or clinical affiliation agreements, students may be asked to complete a criminal background check. Application forms for criminal background checks may be obtained through the Career Programs Subdivision Office, located in B150. Fees for the background check must be paid to the Bursar’s Office. The cost is $27, subject to change without notice. For information on criminal background application procedures, please contact the Career Programs Subdivision Office at (708) 974-5708. Deadline dates for completion of criminal background checks will be announced by the Program Coordinator.

When will I do my clinical training?
EMS-101 (EMT-B):
Upon successful completion of all requirements (medical exam, drug screen, immunizations, criminal background check, HIPAA training, CPR training, high school diploma verification, bloodborne pathogens training, and hospital security quizzes), students will be assigned to clinical rotations. Students receive clinical experience the last half of the semester during EMS-101. The clinical rotations total 60 hours and include the following assignments: 24 hours in an emergency room; 8 hours in obstetrics; 24 hours of ambulance ‘ride along’ time; 4 hours in a dispatch center. Clinical assignments are staggered throughout the semester and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Paramedic (EMT-P) Training: (EMS-102, EMS-103, EMS-104, EMS-233, EMS-237)Clinicals are arranged through Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center.

How are clinicals assigned?
Clinical assignments are assigned as students complete their health care requirements and are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. The sooner a student completes all requirements, the more likely students are to get their choice of clinical dates/times.

Is the program accredited or approved?
Yes. The paramedic-training program is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services.

Illinois Department of Public Health
525 West Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62761
Phone: 217.782.4977
Fax: 217.782.3987
http://www.idph.state.il.us

Which courses are taught on the main campus of Moraine Valley Community College?
EMS-101 (EMT-B)–EMS-101 is taught on Moraine’s main campus in T714.

Paramedic Training (EMT-P):
Paramedic training is offered in a partnership with Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL. EMS-101, the prerequisite for paramedic training, is offered at Moraine Valley in room T714. EMS-102, EMS-103, EMS-104, EMS-233, and EMS-237 are taught at Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center.

During what semesters are the EMS courses offered?
EMS 101 (EMT-B): EMS-101 courses are offered every semester, including summer.

Paramedic training (EMT-P): EMS-101, the prerequisite for the Paramedic Certificate Program, is offered at Moraine Valley every semester, including summer. EMS-102, EMS-103, EMS-104, EMS-233, and EMS-237 are scheduled and taught through Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center. For scheduling information, please contact Christ Hospital’s EMS training center at 708-684-5957. Please ask for Jan Dorey.

Can I take any course work before entering the program?
Yes, EMS-101 can be taken without being formally admitted into the program.

I already possess my EMT Paramedic Certificate P. Can I receive college credit for that certificate?
Yes, you may test for proficiency credit for EMS-102, 103, 104, 233, and 237. Visit the www.morainevalley.edu/AlternativeLearning/proficiency.htm

For additional information, contact Rita Kribs in the Moraine Valley Alternative Learning Office at (708) 974-5643 or kribs@morainevalley.edu.