The Orange Coast College EMT Program is comprised of three classes that lead to certification and National recognition as an EMT. EMT 150, EMT 151, and EMT 180 when taken together, satisfy California Healthcode Title 22 regulations, Orange County Emergency Medical Services Authority Accreditation requirements, the National EMS Scope of Practice Model core curriculum and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technology requirements (Beginning the spring semester of 2010 we will follow both the 1994 DOT curriculum and the New National Educational Standards curriculum in accordance with both state and NREMT requirements).
Successful completion of EMT 150, EMT 151 and EMT 180 allow the graduating student to receive a course completion certificate and apply to take the National Registry exam and become certified as an EMT in the State of California and Orange County. Passing the National Registry examination is also recognized by most States in the United States and may lead to certification as an EMT outside of California.
EMT training and certification is considered an entry-level skill or requirement in the pursuit of more advanced healthcare occupations and towards a career in paramedical and/or fire science and a sworn position with a fire agency. Many of Orange Coast College's graduating students go on to successful careers in nursing, respiratory therapy, medicine and firefighting.
The EMT program provides basic understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary to function as a first responder, prehospital care provider and/or emergency department technician. The successful student will master theories in prehospital care, transporting patients, and anatomy and physiology, with a focus on patient assessment and appropriate interventions in various rescue scenarios, including trauma, extrication, medical emergencies, behavioral and environmental emergencies and special populations such as children and the elderly.
EMT 150
EMT 150 focuses on theory and hands-on skills training. Various techniques are employed to reinforce the curriculum, including lecture, videos, role-playing, student presentations and laboratory time to practice and apply life-saving skills. Additionally, the classroom experience may be enhanced using Web-based learning. Emphasis is placed on critical-thinking exercises, and improvement of verbal and written communication. If an online adjunct is used with the class, its participation is not optional.
EMT 150 is a semester-long course. The fall and spring semesters are 16 weeks long. Summer sessions, when offered, are condensed into an 8/9-week course. The class meets for approximately 132-150 hours. In accordance with healthcode regulations and college policies, there is a minimum attendance requirement. Additionally, there may be an online component to the class. Therefore, access to a personal computer with Internet connections may be neccessary. The Orange Coast College computer center and library are available to those students who do not have a personal computer or Internet connection, or those who wish a high speed connection.
The EMT 150 class is quite rigorous and requires a high degree of commitment from the student. For many students this is the first in-depth introduction to concepts in anatomy and physiology, healthcare and patient-focused critical thinking.
Successful completion of the course requires an 80% mastery of all core concepts, as demonstrated by test scores, participation, homework, and skills validation.
Semester units: 6.0
EMT 151
Prerequisites
EMT 151 allows the EMT student to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in EMT 150 to the healthcare setting. This is considered the "clinical" portion of program. You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the clinical.
Each student will observe and assist hospital personnel for up to 24 hours in an emergency department. Additionally, each student will observe and assist prehospital care providers by riding along in a BLS ambulance unit for 8 hours.
The clinical portion of the program is reserved for the latter half of the semester after the student has mastered several basic concepts. The hours of clinical rotation are arranged through the Clinical Coordinator and the EMT 151 instructor oversees the student in the clinical setting either directly or indirectly. In accordance with Title 22, each student must correctly and appropriate conduct a minimum of ten patient assessments, which include a head-to-toe exam and interviewing the patient to obtain the patient's SAMPLE history.
An additional 4-8 hours of arranged time may be required for orientation.
Semester units: .5
The EMT program has a state health code prerequisite that may be satisfied in several ways.
1.Successful completion of Orange Coast College EMT 100 within the last 18 months.
OR
2.Obtaining the required certification through an outside agency.
Professional healthcare provider level CPR. Certification must be current and valid and must not expire before the completion of the EMT program. Layperson level CPR certifications, such as Heartsaver CPR, are not acceptable. Beginning Fall of 2008, OCC will only accept American Heart Association Healthcare Provider certification. This is the only one acceptable CPR certification according to our hospital clinical partners. OCC does NOT accept any Red Cross CPR certification or other CPR certification to satisfy the State required CPR prerequisite. Please do not email the program director to ask if any other CPR certification other than what is stated above is acceptable.
American Heart Association Healthcare Provider
**First aid training and or experience is highly recommended
**First Responder or Emergency Responder is highly recommended, but not required (even though the OCC schedule and catalog are not up-to-date with this change. First Responder certification is ONLY a recommendation)
Connect on the link below to RCP American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Training programs. The EMT program director highly recommends this provider. The course may be titled BCLS or BLS.
Professor Hassapis has worked in nursing for over 20 years and has specialized in surgical services and emergency care. She has managed several Southern California emergency departments and has been involved with prehospital care and has been a member of several regional paramedic advisory committees and is a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) and a member of the Emergency Nursing Association. She holds a graduate degree in education, specializing in adult education and distance learning. Ms. Hassapis is an American Heart Association CPR instructor. Additionally, Ms. Hassapis has worked as a group fitness instructor since 1982, and specializes in yoga, cycling, and strength training classes.
Mr. Peterson works as a Fire Captain and the EMS Coordinator for a Southern California fire department and has been with the department for over 30 years. He is a California State certified EMT-1 instructor and an American Heart Association CPR instructor. Because of Mr. Peterson's extensive experience as a paramedic, he has shaped the delivery of prehospital care in his municipality, as well as offered serious input to the LA County EMS Agency, helping develop county-wide changes.
Part Time Faculty/Teaching Assistant: Blayne Baker, EMT-P
Mr. Baker is an Engineer and firefighter/paramedic for a Southern California fire department.
Part Time Faculty/Principal Instructor: Captain Duane Sweeton, EMT-P
Mr. Sweeton is a Captain for a Southern California fire department. He is a California State certified EMT-1 instructor.
Part Time Faculty/Teaching Assistant: Captain Alec Miller, EMT-B
Mr. Miller is a captain for a Southern California fire department. He is a California State certified EMT-1 instructor.
Instructional Associates:
Lead Instructional Associate: Andy Ash, NREMT-B
Mr. Ash is employed as an EMT for an Orange County ambulance company, responding to 911/fire calls. His prehospital experience continues to grow, as he is both a patient care provider and driver. He is working towards a career in law enforcement. Additionally, he selflessly volunteers with the large animal shelter at the Orange County Fair Grounds and is becoming an accomplished horseman.
Janie Walker, NREMT-B, MA, Costa Mesa Police Officer (retired)
Ms. Walker has led such an interesting life, there is too much to say here. She has worked as a police officer for over 25 years, is involved in post-traumatic stress management for those in law enforcement and fire service, and carried the torch at the 2004 Olympics. At her convenience she works as an event EMT at large gatherings such as the Honda Center in Anaheim. Ms. Walker, an accomplished horseman, is the primary organizer of the large animal shelter at the Orange County Fair Grounds. If you attend the Orange County Fair in the summer or for a large event, you better behave, as Ms. Walker is one of the security supervisors there. She also shares her passion for sports as the coach of an Orange County High School woman's softball team.
Brian Beichner, NREMT-B, MS
Mr. Beichner, a former middle school science teacher and swim coach, holds a graduate degree in neurobiology, and has left teaching to return to school full time as he works towards his medical degree. He brings extensive experience as an educator, a direct patient care provider, and unabashedly shares his interesting first-hand knowledge as a patient with the class.
EMT Program Office 714-432-5089 (Please be aware that calls will not be returned immediately, particularly between semesters or during breaks)
Petitioning a Closed Class
Due to limited seating and class popularity, OCC's EMT classes fill quickly. You are encouraged to register early. If you find a class closed, continue to check back via the online registration process frequently, as many students decide to drop the class prior to the start or are dropped for non-payment.
If you are unable to add the class prior to the close of registration, you may petition to be added with instructor permission. You must be present the first day of class and ready to learn and participate. A limited number of petitioners will be added to each class. There is no waiting list. Petitioners will be added through a lottery drawing at the beginning of the class. No students will be added who have not attended the first session. Additionally, if you are registered for the class and do not attend the first class session, you will be dropped and your seat will be given to a petitioner. All students and petitioners MUST present their appropriate and valid CPR card the first day of class in accordance with State regulations.
Please be aware that the EMT program requires the student to purchase an appropriate stethoscope, student liability insurance, obtain a physical exam completed within the six months prior to the completion of the class, purchase a specific uniform shirt, and obtain a criminal background check. These are all additional expenses above and beyond the costs of the course and the texts. Contact the EMT Program office for additional information as needed. Specific information and requirements will be communicated during the first week of class. There are strict deadlines for the due dates of obtaining these items, and VERY specific criteria for the physical exam in accordance with clinical site contracts. Extensions for the due dates are not granted, so the student must begin to schedule and obtain all necessary items as early in the semester as possible to avoid being dropped from EMT 151 and losing the ability to get a course completion certificate.
Cost of these required items may be as high as $250.00-$400.00, not including the cost of your NREMT exam and all required certification fees. Financial aid may be available for qualified students - please speak with a counselor or the EOPS office at Orange Coast College. The Program Director and Instructors will not know the details or qualifications for financial aid.
Note to Students not Currently Enrolled at OCC
Please go to the Orange Coast College website. There is a link to MyOCC provided on the home page. Complete the registration application and you will be assigned a student ID number and a registration time, that you will receive via email within a few days. All OCC students wil be assigned an OCC email address. EMT 150 and 151 are open to all students. There are no required college course prerequisites. It is encouraged for younger students, students returning to school after a prolonged break, or students uncomfortable or unfamiliar with healthcare procedures to take EMT 100 prior to enrolling in EMT 150 and 151. However, EMT 100 is not a required prerequisite, nor should it be taken simultaneously. All students must hold a valid American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card, which has the student's name typed, not written, on the front and signed by the student on the back. See the link above for our recommended CPR training site.
Additional Information
If you have additional questions about enrollment, registration, and student financial aid, please contact those departments directly at Orange Coast College 714-432-0202. The EMT Director, unfortunately, is not adept in answering these questions. If you have questions about other American Heart Association Training Centers, please contact the AHA directly. If you have questions about renewing your EMT certification, expiration dates, CEUs and the like, please either contact OCEMSA or the NREMT as appropriate.
Be aware that OCC does not generally offer recertification skills testing at this time and it is not included in the 24 hours of CEU provided as part of the recertification/refresher course. American Medical Response, Santa Ana College, and UCLA's Center for Prehospital Care at Daniel Freeman all offer the skills testing. Many other providers are available as well. Contact your local EMS agency for information.
EMT 180 follows the Orange County EMT Accreditation Curriculum. It is a required corequisite for all EMT students in the EMT program and it is also open to any currently certified EMT who wishes to work in Orange County in the prehospital setting. Successful completion of the 12-hour class will give the student an Orange County Accreditation Certificate. Currently certified EMTs will receive 12 hours of CEU.
The class will cover the Orange County EMS system, IV administation and monitoring, medication administration/assistance, tourniquet usage, 12-lead ECG placement, glucometer usage, transportation of patients with special needs such as chest tubes and preset medication administration devices, and review of Orange County EMS Policy 315.
Successful completion of Orange Coast College EMT 100 within the last 18 months.
