Emergency Medical Technicians provide emergency care to the critically ill and injured at an emergency scene. Our program is certified and regulated by the SC Department of Health and Environment Control. You learn skills, rules, and guidelines for providing emergency care. Successful completion qualifies you to take the national certification examination. You must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years old before course completion.

Personal Characteristics Needed for EMS careers
EMTs work as part of a team, usually a two-member team. Thorough knowledge of theoretical procedures and ability to integrate knowledge and performance into practical situations are essential. Self-confidence, emotional stability, good judgment, tolerance for high stress, and a pleasant personality are also essential characteristics of the successful EMT at any level (Basic, Intermediate, Paramedic). EMTs also must be able to deal with adverse social situations which include responding to calls in districts known to have high crime rates.

Physical Demands:
Aptitudes required for work of this nature are good physical stamina, endurance, and body condition which would not be adversely affected by having to lift, carry, and balance at times, in excess of 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance). EMTs must be able to work, in most services, twenty-four (24) hour long shifts. Motor coordination is necessary because over uneven terrain, both the patients’ and the EMTs’, as well as other workers, well being must not be jeopardized.

Other Abilities:
Use of the telephone for transmitting and responding to physician advice is also essential. The ability to concisely and accurately describe orally to physicians and other staff one’s impression of patient’s condition is critical as EMTs work in emergency conditions in which there may be no time for deliberation. EMTs must also be able to accurately summarize all data in the form of a written report. Verbal and reasoning skills are used more extensively than math. Math does play a part in certain areas of assessment.

To: All EMT Basic Student Candidates

As of January 1, 2009, DHEC/EMS requires: All candidates entering the initial EMT course to meet the following requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Eighteen (18) years of age prior to the NR practical examination date
• Be physically fit and able to perform all the tasks required of an EMT
• Must satisfy pre-screening requirements in reading comprehension and math using a standardized test from either an agency that does pre-screening, or by the authorized SC EMT training institution using the prescreening examination of their choice (i.e. HOBIT, ACET, COMPASS, etc) with a previously established passing score.
• The EMT training institution may impose any additional requirements or pre-requites as deemed necessary by the institution. For all ADA (American with Disabilities) concerns, please refer the National Registry Website: www.nremt.org and from the menu on the left, click on “general policies.”

The following standardized tests and scores will be accepted. Only one of these is needed:

(Previous acceptable prescreening examination taken within last 5 years with comparable score)

• COMPASS Reading 70 , Pre-Algebra Math 36; or
• TABE Reading 10 Math 8; or
• Work Keys level 4 in R and 3 in M ; or
• Copy of College Transcript of passing grades in college level courses; or
• Program Manager may determine an exemption.

To take the COMPASS EXAM: Prior to enrolling in our EMT Basic program you can request a green COMPASS “ticket” from our CCE Customer Service Staff in the IBDC Building (CCE). This ticket permits you to take the COMPASS assessment at no charge. Websites that offer REVIEW of math and reading comprehension skills: www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html or www.math.com or www.webgrammer.com

You will be tested on math (including fractions and percentages) and reading comprehension skills. This is a computer based examination. It will take approximately 1 to 11/2 hours to complete. Allow 2 hours. It is highly recommended that you take advantage and review math skills BEFORE taking the Compass assessment examination. TAKE the GREEN Assessment Center TICKET WITH YOU to our testing center in Miller Hall. Hours are indicated on the ticket. You will be taking the Reading Comprehension and Pre-Algebra Math sections only. ASSESSMENT TESTING MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE CLASS BEGINS.

REGISTRATION FOR EMT BASIC: BRING YOUR SCORES or DOCUMENTATION (see options above) BACK TO THE REGISRATION DESK IN THE IBDC BUILDING TO ENROLL IN THE EMT CLASS . Payment for the class is $695. If your scores do not meet the minimum required, you can receive information for improving your scores for the next class.

For detailed information on SC Regulations go to: www.scdhec.net/hr/ems

Tri-County Technical College offers a variety of Emergency Medical Technician courses. Our course offerings include:

• EMT Basic
• EMT Basic Refresher
• EMT Basic-Intubation and IV Maintenance
• EMT Basic Remediation
• EMT Basic-Intubation and IV Maintenance

For additional class offerings, visit our full course listings and schedule of classes.