Are you ready for a rewarding, challenging and fast-paced medical career? Consider Emergency Medical Services non-credit program.
There are some program eligibility requirements that you willl need to meet before enrolling in the program including:
- Provide documentation that you are at least 18 years of age. Student must see Advisor for exceptions.
- Have high school education or equivalent (GED).
- Ability to communicate verbally; via telephone and radio equipment.
- Ability to lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 with assistance).
- Ability to interpret written, oral and diagnostic form instructions.
- Ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations.
- Ability to be unaffected by loud noises and flashing lights.
- Ability to function efficiently throughout an entire work shift (24 hrs) without interruption.
- Ability to calculate weight and volume ratios and read small print, both under life threatening time constraints.
- Ability to read English language manuals and road maps.
- Accurately differentiate street signs and address numbers.
- Ability to interview patient, family members and bystanders.
- Ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such.
- Ability to converse in English with coworkers and hospital staff as to status of patient.
- Have good manual dexterity, with ability to perform all tasks related to highest quality patient care.
- Ability to bend, stoop and crawl on uneven terrain.
- Ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold and moisture.
- Ability to work in low light and confined spaces.
The Texas Department of State Health Services, DSHS, is the agency legally charged in the State of Texas to issue certificates or licenses for EMS professionals.
The National Registry of EMTs is the agency designated by the DSHS as the provider of the computer adaptive testing and psychomotor skills exams. Successful completion of that examination is necessary to apply for certification or license as an EMS provider in the State of Texas.
EMS Job Qualifications and Competencies
All EMS students must:
**Hospitals and clinical facilities have the right to refuse students who have asked for exemptions from immunizations for personal or religious reasons. These cases will be handled individually. Students without proof of completed immunizations will not be allowed to continue in the program, without exception. For more information, contact: Salvador Acevedo NREMT-LP, 956-364-4739, salvador.acevedo@harlingen.tstc.edu OR Nicole Chacon NREMT-P, 956-364-4740, nicole.chacon@harlingen.tstc.edu
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EMT Certification Required to Begin Paramedic Classes
In addition, prospective paramedic students must provide proof of Texas or national registry of EMT certification for EMT-basic or EMT-intermediate prior to the mandatory EMS program orientation date.
A copy of a CPR Card for American Heart Association must be turned in prior to the start of the course.
EMS Certification Policy
A. Skills Proficiency Verification
A candidate must demonstrate proficiency in all DSHS skills. Skills verifications are administered at the school for DSHS and through the NREMT for paramedic.
B. Written Examination
A candidate must achieve a passing grade on the computer adaptive examination. The written examination is administered on campus at the Testing center testing, through Pearson Vue Testing Centers for the NREMT.
National Registry Testing
A. The Department of State Health Services requires candidates to successfully pass the National Registry of EMTs examination as a condition of eligibility to apply for EMS certification or license.
B. The psychomotor skills exam portion is administered by NREMT for the Paramedic level and by the college for the EMT level. There is a “site usage” cost charged by all institutions who administer the paramedic test. This cost is not included in Texas Sate Technical College tuition
C. In addition to the DSHS certification application and the site usage costs, there is an additional cost, payable to the NREMT for that test.
| | EMT Basic | EMT Paramedic |
| Tuition Fee | $2,400 | $6,000 |
| Other Course Expenses | ||
| CPR/AED | $65 | $65 |
| L1 Background Check | $25 Varies by Clinic | $25 Varies by Clinic |
| NTC Drug Screen | $35 Varies by Clinic | $35 Varies by Clinic |
| Physical Exam | $45 Varies by Clinic | $45 Varies by Clinic |
| National Registry Exam | $70 | $110 |
| Immunizations | $75 | $75 |
Reciprocity with Other States
A. Requirements for EMS certification vary significantly from state to state. Students who anticipate practicing in another state should contact the agency responsible for credentialing EMS personnel in that state as soon as possible to obtain information regarding requirements for reciprocity.
B. Meeting reciprocity requirements is the responsibility of the student.
“The Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Paramedic program has been issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). This letter is NOT a CAAHEP accreditation status, it is a status signifying that a program seeking initial accreditation has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation Standards through the Letter of Review Self Study Report (LSSR) and other documentation. Letter of Review is recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for eligibility to take the NREMT's Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation.
To contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
FAX 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org
To register for this program, please click here, fill out the form and fax the form to 956-364-5117.
For more information, contact the Texas State Technical College Continuing Education Department at 956-364-4606.
