Emergency Medical Science

The Emergency Medical Science curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and attributes to provide advanced emergency medical care as a paramedic for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system and prepares graduates to enter the workforce.

Students will gain complex knowledge, competency, and experience while employing evidence based practice under medical oversight, and serve as a link from the scene into the healthcare system.

Graduates of this program may be eligible to take state and/or national certification examinations. Employment opportunities include providers of emergency medical services, fire departments, rescue agencies, hospital specialty areas, industry, educational and government agencies.

The Wilkes Community College 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 National Registry’s Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation.

To contact CoAEMSP:
214-703-8445
www.coaemsp.org

Learning Outcomes

  • Reason through emergency medical situations and issues effectively and efficiently.
    • Perform medical patient assessment and management.
    • Perform trauma patient assessment and management.
    • Demonstrate appropriate paramedic skills including intravenous therapy and medication administration.
    • Document practice of emergency medical science accurately and per standards set by the NC Office of EMS.
  • Provide cardiac patient care based on American Heart Association standards including Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
  • Provide pediatric patient care considering the unique needs of the pediatric patient.
  • Meet state certification requirements as well as other credentialing standards.

Program Goal

To prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Outcomes

Retention Pass Rate Job Placement
2021 71.4% 100% 100%
2022 30% 66.7% 100%
2023 100% 100% 100%

Contact Information

Image of Sarah Triplett
Sarah Triplett, BS Paramedic
Program Director of Emergency Medical Science (EMS)
Phone: 336-838-6238
sjtriplett091@wilkescc.edu

Pathways

This part of the website is currently undergoing maintenance. Please refer to the WCC Catalog for program information.

Technical Standards

The Emergency Medical Science 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 for extended periods of time
  • Ability sufficient to lift and carry an average of 100 pounds or more
  • Stand and walk up to 24-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
  • Frequent exposure to communicable and infectious diseases, secretions, blood, and bodily fluids
  • Exposure to environmental hazards
  • Possible exposure to X-ray radiation
  • Ability to work under high stress situations and respond promptly
  • Work in confined spaces
  • 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.

EMS Bridge Program

The EMS Bridge Program is a degree completion program developed to allow current certified non-degree Paramedics to earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Science.

Applicants must provide:

  • proof of current certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Science Emergency Medical Technicians
  • current ACLS Certification
  • current PALS Certification
  • current BLS Healthcare Provider Certification
  • documentation of at least 1000 hours of direct patient contact as a paramedic in the field

To apply, visit the Enroll page. When completing the online application, you should select “EMS for Currently Certified Paramedics” as your program of study.

For more information, contact:

Image of Wendy Nichols
Wendy Nichols, BS
Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: 336-838-6136
wdnichols077@wilkescc.edu