People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics—EMTs with additional advanced training to perform more difficult pre-hospital medical procedures. EMTs and paramedics provide vital medical attention as they care for and transport the sick or injured to a medical facility.

In an emergency, EMTs and paramedics typically are dispatched to the scene by a 911 operator, and often work with law enforcement and fire department personnel. Once they arrive, they determine the nature and extent of the patient’s condition while trying to ascertain whether the patient has pre-existing medical problems. Some paramedics are trained to treat patients with minor injuries on the scene of an accident or at their home without transporting them to a medical facility. Emergency treatment for more complicated problems is carried out by the paramedic under the direction of medical doctors by protocol or verbal orders.

The purpose of the Emergency Medical Services Program is to prepare students as competent entry-level Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). As of 2012, EMTs are licensed at three levels in Alabama: EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic. Students completing all three EMT certificate levels and all academic core curriculum courses may receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services. Graduates qualify for employment with air and ground ambulance services, fire and rescue departments, industrial safety departments, and emergency departments within medical facilities.

Admission Requirements and Curriculum

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General Education Worksheet (Required with application)

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2021 EMS Program Outcomes

NREMT/State Written Exam: 50%

Retention: 61.5% Positive (Job) Placement: 87.5%

Wallace State Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or CAAHEP (www.caahep.org) up the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions or CoAEMSP.

Wallace State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Wallace State Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Wallace State Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

Alabama Department of Public Health

Licensure Disclosure Statement