Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Services Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

As the medical field expands and brings new career opportunities, the emphasis on advanced education continues to grow. By completing the EMT and Paramedic training, you are well on your way to receiving your Associate Degree. After 27 additional college credits, you will earn your Emergency Medical Services A.A.S. degree.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMS-101)

The EMS-101 course includes:

60 hours of clinical experience, including 24 hours in an emergency room, 8 hours in obstetrics, 24 hours in ambulance ride time, and 4 hours in dispatch.

The sites used for the clinical component of EMS-101 are:

• Little Company of Mary Hospital
• MetroSouth Medical Center
• Palos Community Hospital

Upon the completion of EMS-101, students are eligible to take either the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination for licensure or the Illinois State Emergency Medical Technicians exam. Lastly, after passing either examination, the student is licensed as an emergency medical technician, who is then able to provide basic life support care Illinois.

EMS Program

The program includes an emergency medical technician course and a paramedic certificate program.

Before entering the paramedic certificate program, students must complete the 8-credit hour EMS-101, emergency medical technician course.

The emergency medical technician and paramedic credentials can also be an alternative career path for those presently in the fire science field.

Paramedic Certificate Program

35-credit hour Paramedic Certificate Program prepares the Emergency Medical Technician to meet license standards to be an advanced life support provider in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health Emergency Medical Services Act. The program is offered at Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center in cooperation with Moraine Valley Community College. 

• The EMT-P, Paramedic certificate program is held at Advocate Christ Medical Center.
• EMS-102, EMS-103, EMS-104, EMS-233, and EMS-237 are taught at Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center.
• Application to the program is made to The Center for Prehospital Care at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

After completion of the Paramedic courses and final exam, students are eligible to take the State of Illinois Paramedic Examination. The exam must be passed in order to receive the paramedic state license.

Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, as fast as the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, and acts of violence, will continue to require the skills of EMTs and paramedics.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics

Emergency Medical Technician
There is no application for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level necessary, all you need to do is register for EMS-101.

Paramedic Program 
The application to the Paramedic Education Program requires licensure as a State of Illinois EMT and a completed application.

For an application to the Paramedic Education Program offered at Advocate Christ Medical Center(ACMC), you will need to access the website and download the application under the ACMC Paramedic Program.

For any questions, please call the Program Director at (708) 684-5957 or the Clinical
Coordinator at (708) 684-5979.

 Physical Requirements

• Use digital fine motor skills with both hands continually throughout the day.
• See clearly enough to read hand-written and computer-generated communications.
• Hear clearly enough to accept verbal orders from incident commanders and electronically generated orders broadcast from emergency room personnel.
• Work standing on their feet for the majority of the day.
• Walk quickly to and from service locations for the majority of the day.
• Lift patients onto gurneys, into ambulances, as well as up and down stairwells.
• Write and speak to patients, peers, and staff effectively.
• Interact appropriately with patients, physicians, peers, and supervisors.
• Use good judgment to seek assistance when needed.
• Lift a minimum of 50 pounds unassisted.
• Apply safety and infection control standards learned in the program to maintain a safe and clean environment for patients, staff, and self.
• Capable of handling stressful situations, remain calm and prioritize patient treatments.
• Ability to work in extreme and hazardous conditions including darkness, heat, cold, dampness, and very small spaces.

Required Course Materials

• Books: The books purchased for EMS-101 also may be used as reference texts in paramedic training. 
• Stethoscopes: Stethoscopes cost between $10-$20 and are available in the Bookstore.
• Uniforms: Uniform requirements include a Moraine Valley Community College EMS Student polo shirt, navy Docker slacks, closed-toe, non-skid black shoes, black socks and a watch with the ability to count seconds.

EMS-101 (EMT)

Once students have completed all the requirements: 

• Medical exam
• Drug screen
• Immunizations
• Criminal background check
• HIPAA training
• CPR training
• High school diploma verification
• Bloodborne pathogens training
• Hospital security quizzes

Students will then be assigned to clinical rotations. The students receive clinical experience in 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 Training 
(EMS-102, EMS-103, EMS-104, EMS-233, EMS-237): Clinical training sites for the Advocate Christ Hospital Paramedic Program will be discussed following acceptance to the program.

Clinical Requirements
Before clinical can be assigned, students must provide the EMS Program Coordinator with documentation of the following requirements: 

• 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 $75-$100. Moraine Valley offers CPR for Health care 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 Health care Providers, please contact Aurora Zwick, Workforce Development, at (708) 974-5735. Students are financially responsible for the CPR training required.
• History and Physical: 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 included in the course packet.
• 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, and MVCC student insurance are acceptable.
• Drug Screen: Students will be required to submit to and complete a drug screen before 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: To comply with certain state statutes and/or clinical affiliation agreements, students must complete a criminal background check. Application forms for criminal background checks are included in the course packet. Fees for the background check must be paid to the Cashier's Office. The cost is $27, subject to change without notice. Information on criminal background application procedures will be explained on the first day of class. Deadline dates for completion of criminal background checks will be announced by the program coordinator.
• Verification of High School Completion: Students are required to submit verification of high school completion. Foreign transcripts must be formally evaluated to determine if your education is the equivalent of an American high school diploma. To verify your foreign transcripts, please call the Moraine Valley Community College International Student Affairs Department at (708) 974-5334 to request an appointment to have your transcripts evaluated. 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.

Clinical Assignment Locations
Students enrolled in EMS-101 (EMT) 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. 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. 

Completion of the course prepares the student to take the Illinois Department of Public Health examination for Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic licensure.

• Emergency Medical Technician: After passing the examination, the student is licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician to provide basic life-support in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health Emergency Medical Services Act.
• Paramedic: The 35-credit-hour program prepares an Emergency Medical Technician to meet license standards to function as an advanced life support provider or Paramedic in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health Emergency Medical Services Act.

Can I take any coursework 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 apply for proficiency credit for EMS-102, 103, 104, 233, and 237 through the Academic Outreach Department in L 244.

The Advocate Christ Medical Center/Moraine Valley Community College Paramedic 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 EMS Professions (www.CoAEMSP.org).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-210-2350

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