COVID-19 UPDATE
Appication periods are extended through the summer.
Due to infection and safety concerns EMS Applications will only be accepted via email using scan or photo technology. Applications will be requested through this email only: EMS@odessa.edu
Emergency Medical Services Professional
The Emergency Medical Services Professional program prepares students for careers in paramedicine, a fastpaced and challenging health care field. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics provide immediate, life-saving care to the sick and injured. Entry-level First Responders (EMT-Basic) are trained to provide basic emergency medical care because they tend to be the first persons to arrive at the scene of an incident. Many firefighters, police officers, and other emergency workers have this level of training. An EMT-Basic is trained to care for patients at the scene of an accident and while transporting patients by ambulance to the hospital under medical direction. The EMT-Paramedic has more advanced training and assessment skills that allows the administration of intravenous fluids, interpreting electrocardiograms and giving lifesaving shocks to a stopped heart, as well as performing advanced airway techniques and using equipment to assist patients experiencing respiratory emergencies.
Odessa College offers two levels of EMT training: Basic and Paramedic. The Odessa College Emergency Medical Services Professional Program grants two levels of awards: a level one certificate in Emergency Medical Services Professional – Paramedic and an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services Professional. All courses in the level one certificate apply to the associate’s degree. Depending upon individual circumstances, students may be required to repeat courses or complete competency exams prior to acceptance into the program after completing an award or are transferring from another institution.
The program combines classroom and/or online instruction with supervised laboratory, clinical/practicum, and ambulance experiences to prepare the graduate for certification. EMT classes are exciting and challenging courses. Students are expected to spend a large amount of time outside of class studying and applying the material that is presented in class. With department approval, students can take EMT-Basic classes even if unsure of future plans to continue with paramedic level training. Although students do not earn an Odessa College certificate at this level, successful completers can become certified through the credentialing agency. Skills include: CPR, bandaging and splinting, traction splints, mechanical aids to breathing (oxygen, bag-mask, suctioning, oral and nasal airways, and pocket masks), patient assessment, vital signs, spinal immobilization, automated external defibrillation, pneumatic anti-shock garment, epinephrine auto-injector, and nebulizer bronchodilators. Certification requirements: Minimum age 18; high school diploma or GED; EMT-Basic skills proficiency verification by training program; stateadministered National Registry certification exam; and submission of EMS Personnel Certification Application and fee.
With department approval and certification as a DSHS EMT-Basic provider, students can continue with paramedic level training. Odessa College includes intermediate and advanced skills in the paramedic curriculum. Skills include: EMT-Intermediate skills, medication administration, EKG interpretation, cardioversion, and cardiac arrest simulation (megacode). Certification requirements: Minimum age 18; high school diploma or GED; DSHS EMTBasic, Intermediate and Paramedic skills proficiency verification by training program medical director; and written and practical exam administered by National Registry. A licensed paramedic has an associate’s degree (or higher) and tests on the same skills for EMT-Paramedic.
Once a student successfully completes requirements for the National Registry, he or she may become certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services EMS Division. Both levels of certification require periodic and specific recertification hours and activities to continue to practice as an emergency medical technician.
Students considering registering for emergency medical services professional (EMSP) courses must have approval from the EMS department before enrolling. Enrollment in paramedic level EMSP courses is limited, and students are urged to contact the department early to ensure acceptance to the program. Applicants, or those seeking additional information, should contact the EMS department or a Student Success Coach in the Help Center. The student must purchase required equipment and supplies in order to participate in laboratory and clinical/practicum training. To obtain a list of the necessary equipment, the student should contact the department director or one of the faculty members before enrolling in the class.
Students enrolled in any EMSP practicum or clinical course are required to have liability insurance as well as health and accident insurance each semester. Liability insurance is included in course fees. If the student does not have a health and accident policy, student health insurance can be purchased. Students must have a health check-up and pass a background check and a drug screen to participate in the EMS program. All immunizations must be on file in the EMS department, in compliance with state regulations, before the student can participate in clinical or practicum courses.
The Odessa College Emergency Medical Services Professional (EMSP) program does not offer advanced placement or credits for experiential learning, however students can transfer credit to Odessa College though the process listed in the current Odessa College academic catalog.
The EMT and Paramedic program’s grading scale for the EMSP courses at Odessa College for a grade of “C” is awarded for numeric grades set forth by the program. To be eligible for graduation and Course Completion Verification, the EMT and paramedic student must have completed each of the prescribed courses in the curriculum with a minimum grade of “C.” Each of the non-EMSP courses required for the degree must also be passed with a minimum grade of “C.” The candidate for graduation must score satisfactorily on the EMT and Paramedic Program Exit exam, complete the National Registry Prep Course, satisfy all college financial obligations, complete a degree application in the Registrar’s Office (if applying for an Associate in Applied Science Degree or Certificate of Completion) by the specified deadline, and return any borrowed school property.
Upon successful completion of all prerequisite EMSP courses and/or Level I-Paramedic EMSP courses with a minimum grade of “C” in each course, the student will receive an EMSP department approved course completion certificate issued by the TDSHS approved Program Director and Coordinator which is required for eligibility to test for certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Accreditation
The Odessa 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 the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; 25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158; Clearwater, FL 33763; (727) 210-2350; www.caahep.org
Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions;
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088; Phone (214) 703-8445; Fax: (214) 703-8992; www.coaemsp.org; Accreditation #600500
The Odessa College Paramedic curriculum plan is approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS): 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756-3199; Phone: 512-458-7111
CAAHEP required outcomes report (with in the first 3 cumulative attempts)
*EMT-BASIC NREMT Written Exam PASS RATES
*EMT-PARAMEDIC NREMT Written Exam PASS RATES
*Data collected from the OC, NREMT, CoAEMSP, and DSHS reports.
Program Goals
EMSP classes are fun, active, challenging, fast-paced courses designed for the adult learner. These courses are not your typical college classes. Students are expected to spend a large amount of time outside of class studying, practicing skills, and applying the material that is presented in class.
Classes are typically team taught by certified instructors who are active participants in EMS. Lead instructors are responsible for preparing and delivering lectures, skills instructors help the students master the various skills presented in the class and preceptors help the students master their skills in a clinical setting with live patients. Students work in a collaborative environment designed to help them stay motivated and excited about the profession.
As a program, our goal is to "prepare competent entry-level EMT's and Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains," with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Technician (Basic), and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.
Links
- EMT-Basic Admissions Guide
- EMT-Paramedic Admissions Guide
- GroupOne Background Screening
- Paramedic Handbook
- Functional Job Description
D. Dennard, BBA LP
Director of Fire/EMS
Office: Health Sciences Building (HSB) 124
Phone: 432-335-6471
Email: jcotton@odessa.edu
Fire/EMS Secretary
Office: Fire Technology Training Center (FTTC) 102
Phone: 432-335-6841
Email: ems@odessa.edu
Oscar Menchaca, AAS, LP, NRP
Office: Health Sciences Building (HSB) 121
Phone: 432-335-6379
E-mail: omenchaca@odessa.edu
Dr. Jeff Pinnow, MD
EMS Medical Director
Office: Health Sciences Building (HSB) 122
E-mail: jpinnow55@gmail.com