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
2022 30% 66.70% 100%
2023 100% 100% 100%
2024 80% 75% 75%

Contact Information

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

Admissions Information

The Emergency Medical Science program is a limited enrollment program, and admission is restricted to the Fall 2026 semester. Applicants are accepted on a first-qualified, first-accepted basis as admission requirements are fully met. The total capacity of the EMS program is approximately 30-40 students.

Students must be 18 years old before the first day of the paramedic portion of the EMS program (the first spring semester of the program).

Step 1: Complete WCC Application

Submit a WCC application for admission to the Emergency Medical Science program. Applicants may only apply for two limited-admission programs in each academic year. WCC limited-admission programs include: Associate Degree Nursing, Dental Assisting, Emergency Medical Science, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, and Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN).

The college application deadline is July 8, 2026.

WCC Application

Step 2: Prove College Readiness

Applicant must be eligible to enroll in ENG 111 and MAT 143 without a co-requisite. Visit the Placement Testing page for more details regarding exemption options, testing policy, scheduling a testing appointment, and study materials. Applicants requiring special testing accommodations due to a disability must contact the Disability Services office at least 10 working days prior to testing.

Step 3: Completion of High School Diploma or Recognized Equivalent

High school diploma or recognized equivalent must be completed before entry into the program. If applying as a high school senior, submission of a transcript reflecting all high school coursework completed at the time of application is required. If admitted, a final transcript must be submitted prior to beginning the program that reflects additional coursework completed and the actual graduation date.

Step 4: Submission of Official Transcripts

EMS applicants must submit official high school, GED, or Adult High School and official college transcripts at each educational institution attended. College transcripts will be reviewed for possible transfer credit.

Please note: If BIO 165/166 and/or BIO 168/169 (or an equivalent course) has been completed prior to entry into the EMS program, it must have been completed within five years from the first day of the fall semester of entering the program. Otherwise, the credits will be considered to have expired and will not count towards fulfilling EMS degree requirements. An EMS applicant must successfully complete either the BIO 165/166 sequence or the BIO 168/169 sequence; the two sequences cannot be combined.

Step 5: Successful Completion of a MAR Review

When an applicant has met all of the above minimum admission requirements, they must contact the following individual to schedule a MAR review appointment.

Image of Jackson Brown
Jackson Brown, MA
Student Activities Coordinator/Admissions Representative
Phone: 336-838-6142
jbrown320@wilkescc.edu

This process is being used to verify that all the above criteria has been met and satisfied. The priority deadline to complete a MAR review is May 14, 2026. The final deadline to complete a MAR review is July 17, 2026.

Accepted applicants will be notified by mail or by phone. Applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements must complete the following items to be considered for the next available class:

  1. Submit a new application.
  2. Complete all admissions requirements for that application year.

CPR / Medical Form

Applicants who are selected for admission to the EMS program must complete the following steps and submit to the Lead Instructor of EMS program by August 11, 2025, or class space will be forfeited:

  1. CPR: Evidence of current CPR certification (must be issued by American Heart Association Healthcare Provider).
  2. Medical Form: Submission of the Wilkes Community College Student Medical Form which must be completed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. The form is given to you upon acceptance into the EMS program.

Orientation

Applicants who have been accepted into the EMS program will also be required to attend a mandatory EMS program orientation. The date of the orientation will be provided to applicants who are admitted to the program.

Notice of Clinical Requirements

WCC’s contractual agreements with each clinical site mandates that clinical agencies are responsible for declaring any requirements of students rotating through their facilities. These requirements include but are not limited to the COVID-19 vaccine, a criminal background check and drug screening. Therefore, students who do not comply with the agreements of each clinical affiliate will be placed only at those facilities in which the student has been cleared and all clinical requirements have been met. Selective placement due to non-compliance with all clinical requirements may limit the student’s overall clinical education experience but will allow for successful completion of program, clinical, and graduation requirements.

Individuals completing the Emergency Medical Science program are eligible to apply to take a credentialing examination, which they must pass in order to receive a credential to practice. The credentialing board does require information regarding conviction of a felony and/or misdemeanor and/or current charges on the application for credential and MAY DECIDE NOT TO CREDENTIAL an individual based on the result of an investigation of those particular charges.

Undocumented Immigrants

When considering whether to admit an undocumented immigrant into a specific program of study, community colleges shall take into account that federal law prohibits states from granting professional licenses to undocumented immigrants. Students lawfully present in the United States shall have priority over any undocumented immigrant in any class or program of study when capacity limitations exist. PLEASE NOTE: these procedures comply with numbered memo CC10-26, which was published by the North Carolina Community College System on July 12, 2010.

Please contact the admission representative for the EMS program:

Image of Jackson Brown
Jackson Brown, MA
Student Activities Coordinator/Admissions Representative
Phone: 336-838-6142
jbrown320@wilkescc.edu

EMS Bridge Program Requirements

Contact Information

For any questions, please about the admission process or requirements, please contact:

Image of Jackson Brown
Jackson Brown, MA
Student Activities Coordinator/Admissions Representative
Phone: 336-838-6142
jbrown320@wilkescc.edu
Image of Sarah Triplett
Sarah Triplett, BS Paramedic
Program Director of Emergency Medical Science (EMS)
Phone: 336-838-6238
sjtriplett091@wilkescc.edu

Pathways

First Year – Fall Semester

  • ACA 115: Success and Study Skills
  • EMS 110: EMT
  • ENG 111: Writing & Inquiry
  • MAT 143: Quantitative Literacy

First Year – Spring Semester

  • BIO 163: Basic Anatomy & Physiology
  • EMS 122: EMS Clinical Practicum I
  • EMS 130: Pharmacology
  • EMS 131: Advanced Airway Management
  • EMS 160: Cardiology I

First Year – Summer Term

  • EMS 140: Rescue Scene Management
  • EMS 220: Cardiology II
  • EMS 221: EMS Clinical Practicum II

Second Year – Fall Semester

  • EMS 231: EMS Clinical Practicum III
  • EMS 250: Medical Emergencies
  • EMS 260: Trauma Emergencies
  • EMS 270: Life Span Emergencies
  • PSY 150: General Psychology

Second Year – Spring Semester

  • COM 120: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication or COM 231: Public Speaking
  • EMS 240: Patients w/Special Challenges
  • EMS 241: EMS Clinical Practicum IV
  • EMS 285: EMS Capstone
  • PHI 240: Intro to Ethics

First Year – Fall Semester

  • ACA 115: Success and Study Skills or ACA 122
  • EMS 110: EMT
  • ENG 111: Writing & Inquiry
  • MAT 143: Quantitative Literacy

First Year – Spring Semester

  • BIO 163: Basic Anatomy & Physiology
  • EMS 122: EMS Clinical Practicum I
  • EMS 130: Pharmacology
  • EMS 131: Advanced Airway Management
  • EMS 160: Cardiology I

First Year – Summer Term

  • EMS 140: Rescue Scene Management
  • EMS 220: Cardiology II
  • EMS 221: EMS Clinical Practicum II

Second Year – Fall Semester

  • EMS 231: EMS Clinical Practicum III
  • EMS 250: Medical Emergencies
  • EMS 260: Trauma Emergencies
  • EMS 270: Life Span Emergencies

Second Year – Spring Semester

  • EMS 240: Patients w/Special Challenges
  • EMS 241: EMS Clinical Practicum IV
  • EMS 285: EMS Capstone

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.

Associate to Bachelor Agreements

An Associate to Bachelor agreement is an opportunity for students to complete their Associate's degree at Wilkes Community College and then transfer into a specified program at a partnering four-year institution for their Bachelor's degree. Wilkes Community College has the following Associate to Bachelor agreements for our Emergency Medical Science graduates:

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
Director of Admissions
Phone: 336-838-6136
wdnichols077@wilkescc.edu
Image of Sarah Triplett
Sarah Triplett, BS Paramedic
Program Director of Emergency Medical Science (EMS)
Phone: 336-838-6238
sjtriplett091@wilkescc.edu