EMS Program prepares students for action
At a moment’s notice, paramedics and emergency medical technicians can spring into
action.
Through intense clinicals, exams and labs, the College of the Mainland Emergency Medical
Technician Program prepares students to respond to any life-threatening crisis.
Students excel on certification exams. Graduates from the 2014 class of paramedic
students achieved a first-time pass rate of 100 percent on the National Registry Exam,
and all are employed locally.
The program offers three levels – EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic – to help
students reach their goals.
“Basic was very intense and very thorough,” said COM student Joe Prasatik, who completed
the EMS-Basic, EMS-Intermediate and is now working on the paramedic certificate. “It’s
a top-notch program. I don’t think you’ll get anything like this in the state or country.”
Combining labs, classes and 96 hours of clinical rotations, where students participate
in health care settings such as the emergency room or with local EMS providers, the
COM Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic Program prepares students to administer
first aid, safely transport patients, and bandage and splint injuries.
“The program offers evening and daytime classes to prepare students to pass the National
Registry EMT-Basic Certificate test,” said instructor Julianne Duncan.
Instructors with years of field experience help students develop their full potential.
“When it came to do (an IV) in a real life situation, I would freeze up,” said Prasatik.
“(Instructors) took their time with me. They helped me with confidence and getting
past the block. Educators are more than willing to help out. They will go out of the
way.”
Former students return to help new classes with tutoring continuing the group’s camaraderie.
“We all want each other to succeed because they are going to be right there with me
when something happens,” explained Prasatik.
The EMT-Intermediate Program teaches students how to insert a breathing tube and administer
medications intravenously. Students also gain experience through intensive clinicals
at health care facilities such as Memorial Hermann, where Prasatik and his classmates
worked under anesthesiologists to insert breathing tubes into patients.
“I had 31 patients in three days,” said Prasatik. “We were able to see a surgical
robot in action.”
The opportunity is rare for students in community colleges.
”We are honored to have an affiliate relationship with Memorial Hermann Southeast
which provides access to the operating room—it provides a rare and tremendous opportunity
for students to practice critical skills,” said Duncan.
The EMT-Basic Program serves as a springboard to a career as an emergency medical
technician, to higher-level EMT classes, or to branching into firefighting or other
areas of health care such as nursing. COM offers both day and night classes every
semester.
For students choosing to continue to the EMT-Intermediate level, daytime classes begin
each fall and spring and prepare students to pass the National Registry EMT-Intermediate
Certificate test. EMT-Paramedic classes start every spring.
For Prasatik the COM EMS Program offered a fresh start doing something he loved.
“(I like) being able to help,” said Prasatik. “Knowing that I’ll be there for somebody
on the worst day of their life.”
For more on the COM EMS Program, visit www.com.edu/ems.