Emergency Services

WCC Emergency Services programs include:

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): This course follows the standard American Heart Association guidelines. It provides physicians, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare providers with information concerning advanced management of the cardiac patient.
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid: WCC offers various training courses in CPR and first aid that provide certification by the American Heart Association. These courses provide individuals with instruction and skill development in adult, child, and infant foreign body airway obstruction as well as adult, child, and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Training in automated external defibrillation is also available.
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): The various levels of certification offered at WCC are Medical Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. Those persons successfully completing each course will be eligible for state certification through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services. Prerequisites to enter these courses include a minimum of a high school diploma or high school equivalency and successful completion of an entrance examination assessing basic skills competency in reading, language, and math.
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): This course is designed to certify Emergency Medical Personnel in Pediatric Advanced Life Support through the American Heart Association. The course teaches the proper evaluation and treatment of a pediatric patient in cardiopulmonary arrest. Upon successful completion, the student will be awarded PALS certification from the American Heart Association. (Prerequisite: It is desirable but not required that an ALS certification be held.)
  • Search and Rescue (SAR): Search and rescue training involves locating lost persons and removing them from danger.

Program Goal

To prepare competent entry-level 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, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.

Contact Information

Image of Stephen Crouse
Stephen Crouse, BS
Coordinator of Fire, Rescue and EMS
Phone: 336-838-6215
sjcrouse205@wilkescc.edu

Upcoming Courses

Is there a specific course you would like to see offered? Contact sjcrouse205@wilkescc.edu.

You can also use the Public Safety Training Calendar to search for classes throughout the state.

Technical Standards

The Emergency Medical Technician program technical standards have been developed to inform students of the nonacademic essential functions of the program and profession. Examples are not all inclusive.

Standard Essential Function Examples
Communication
Oral / Written
  • Skills sufficient to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
  • Skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
  • Document relevant patient information (manual or via computer) using correct terminology and spelling
  • Interpret doctor’s orders
  • Record patient responses to treatments
  • Establish rapport with patients, families, and other health care providers
Mobility / Motor Skills
  • Motor skills sufficient to move the hands and use hands to grasp or manipulate objects
  • Mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body
  • Mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require dexterity and flexibility to move body in a variety of positions
  • Utilize instruments with patients
  • Move around in patients’ rooms and treatment areas
  • Maneuver in confined spaces
  • Physical activities may include:
    • Running
    • Bending
    • Stooping
    • Lifting
    • Reaching
Physical Strength and Stamina
  • Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time
  • Ability sufficient to lift and carry a minimum of 40 pounds
  • Stand and walk up to 12-hour shifts
  • Lift and/or maneuver patients
  • Lift and move equipment such as a gurney
Sensory

  • Sight
  • Sound
  • Taste
  • Touch
  • Smell
  • Visual skills sufficient to see details at close range and manipulate equipment
  • Listening skills sufficient to communicate with others
  • Identify various sounds
  • Ability to touch and locate anatomy on patients to perform physical assessments
  • Ability to tolerate various odors
  • Observe patient responses to treatment
  • Hear equipment/emergency alarms, or call for help
  • Listen to heart, lung, and blood pressure sounds
  • Feel for pulse
  • Work with patients with poor hygiene
Environmental / Occupational Exposure
  • Environmental hazards
  • Exposure to extreme temperatures and weather conditions
  • Ability to respond quickly and work under high stress situations
  • Wear appropriate safety gear
  • Possible exposure to HIV, hepatitis, etc.
  • Exposure to X-ray radiation, medicinal preparations, latex, and toxic substances
  • Respond appropriately in emergency to maintain patient safety and care
Field or Industry Professional Standards
  • Criminal background check
  • CPR certification
  • Valid driver’s license

Disability Services Statement

Wilkes Community College is an ADA compliant institution. WCC does not discriminate based on a disability in the admissions process or in access to its programs, services, and/or activities for qualified individuals who meet eligibility requirements. WCC will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs, services, and/or activities. If a student believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of a program’s essential functions without accommodations, the student is encouraged to disclose this to Disability Services as soon as possible.