Program Code:

Total Credits: 90

1. College Success

• COLLG 110 College Success (3 credits)

• Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

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• Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course.

2. English Composition I

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)

• Course purpose: As an EMS professional you will need to communicate effectively in writing with hospitals, patients, peers and for state reporting. ENGL& 101 will provide the foundational development of critical reading and writing skills.

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• Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101  course. 

3. Math Course Recommendation

Choose one

• MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Emergency medical services professionals wanting to continue on to Associates or Paramedic programs benefit from this course.

• MATH& 107 Math in Society (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course offers a contemporary view of mathematics on topics including management science, statistics and social choices, patterns and financial applications in order to understand the economics of community medicine. 

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• Note: Consider your long term education goals when considering what math class to take, MATH&146 is more widely transferable outside of Pierce College.  MATH& 107 is acceptable for Pierce College FSLM and HSEM.  

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• Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite MATH&146 + MATHC 146  course or MATH&107+MATHC 107   

Action Item: Attend Mandatory Orientation

Attend the mandatory orientation and receive next steps for Emergency Medical Technician courses.

Advisor Note

The EMS department will register you for EMS 210, 211 and 212 after the Mandatory orientation. Once completing these classes successfully you will be able to take the National NREMT test and begin working or volunteering as an EMS professional.  Pierce College teaches national curriculum qualifying you to become a Nationally Accredited EMT for additional cost and testing through NREMT.org. Testing costs change–visit NREMT for the current cost.

4. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

• EMS 210 Emergency Medical Technician I (5 credits)

• Course purpose: This course provides the foundation for establishing an EMT career. You will learn the ethics, communication, documentation, and basic life-saving skills (CPR) used by EMS professionals. 

• EMS 211 Emergency Medical Technician II (5 credits)

• Course purpose: You will begin practical application of skills and knowledge received in EMT 210. You will learn medical terminology and assessments, and begin to develop and apply critical thinking. 

• EMS 212 Emergency Medical Technician III (5 credits)

• Course purpose: You will use scenarios to increase skills of medical and traumatic situations. This course helps you to prepare for National EMT Certification. 

Action Item: Advising Appointment

Check in with your advisor to discuss educational goals and degree options, interest and skillset, this will help determine what science and classes to take and to make any necessary Education Plan revisions.  

5. Communications Course Recommendation

Choose one

• CMST 105 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Emergency medical services professionals need to be able to recognize and navigate various cultural communication styles in the classroom and in the community. 

• CMST& 220 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Emergency medical services professionals need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom while learning to be advocates for patients in the community. 

Action Item: Considerations for Choosing a Natural Science Course

Students entering the medical fields that require BIOL& 241 and BIOL& 242 should take EMS 160, which satisfies the prerequisite for BIOL& 241.

BIOL& 170 and BIOL& 175 satisfy the requirements for FSLM and HESM (check with your transfer school and advisor for a course recommendation).

6. Natural Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

• EMS 160 Introduction to Chemical & Biological Principles (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Introduce EMS professionals to chemical and biological principals so they can understand the molecular effect of the body preparing them for an intensive study into Anatomy and Physiology.

• BIOL& 170 Human Biology: Anatomy & Physiology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals need a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology to understand the function of the body as a whole. Understanding the principal organ system and basic functioning of the cells and organs within their biological system allows you to understand how the EMS actions affect total treatment. 

• BIOL& 175 Human Biology w/Lab: Anatomy & Physiology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals need a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology to understand the function of the body as a whole. Kinetic learners benefit from the hands on lab experience of this class. Understanding the principal organ system and basic functioning of the cells and organs within their biological system allows you to understand how the EMS actions affect total treatment. 

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• Note: Students entering the medical fields that require BIOL& 241 and BIOL& 242 should take EMS 160, which satisfies the prerequisite for BIOL& 241. BIOL& 170 and BIOL& 175 satisfy the requirements for FSLM and HESM (check with your transfer school and advisor for a course recommendation).

7. General Psychology

• PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals need to understand the human behavior and experience concepts that are presented in this course. You will learn to understand biological and social basics of behavior, heredity, neurology, motivation, emotion, perception, cognition, learning, and intelligence are as important as understanding the body.

Action Item: Advising Appointment

Congratulations you have completed 43-45 credits take time to review your GPA and set goals. The next two quarters, if you are on the medical track, you will be taking 16 credits and this can prove to be challenging. Students have found support using the tutoring center and by connecting with TRIO and EDI for scholarships and transfer connections. 

Students should seek paid or volunteer positions as an EMS professional to start the patient contact experience which is required for most medical fields. The EMS department recruitment board and the Job & Connection Center can help with resources.     

8. Medical Math and Medical Terminology

• EMS 150 Medical Math & Medical Terminology (3 credits)

• Course purpose: As an EMS professional you will basic mathematical problems in the field. You will have to calculate dosages using ratios and proportions, the formula methods, and dimensional analysis. Those focused on Paramedic or medical field recommended to take this course. 

9. English Composition II

• ENGL& 102 Composition II: Argumentation and Research (5 credits)

• Course purpose: As an EMS professional you will need to communicate effectively in writing with hospitals, patients, peers and for state reporting. ENGL& 102 will provide continued development to critical reading and writing as well as offer a foundation for developing research skills for continued advancement in the EMS field.

10. Human Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) 1

• BIOL& 241 Human A & P 1 (6 credits)

• Course purpose: As an EMS professional you will need a working knowledge of the human body.  This is the first course of a two-quarter study of body structure and related physiology of cellular through system levels.  It is important for EMS professionals to know how cause and effect of the treatment they administer pre-hospital.

11. Personalized Fitness

• PE 131 Personalized Fitness Program (2 credits)

• Course purpose: As an EMS professional you will develop a personalized fitness plan that will center on core body strengthening and stress management.  Developing proper body mechanic will increase the longevity of your career when moving and lifting patients.  Stress management will be essential when working in a high stress environment.

Action Item: Advisor Appointment

You should start applying to secondary colleges and/or Bachelor programs. Apply for Financial Aid, scholarships and/or funding sources for next year’s admission. 

Paramedic applicants should review admission criteria and gather personal recommendations for entry. Apply to Pierce College for your associate degree evaluation.

12. Human Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) 2

• BIOL& 242 Human A & P 2 (6 credits)

• Course purpose: As an EMS professional you will need a working knowledge of the human body.  This is the second course of a two-quarter in- depth study of body organization, endocrine and cardiovascular systems. It is important for EMS professionals to know how cause and effect of the treatment they administer pre-hospital. 

13. Introduction to Sociology

• SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals need to understand society and human interaction and exploring human relationships in a rapidly changing world.

14. Human Relations Course Recommendation

Choose one

• MNGT 130 Customer Relationship Management (5 credits)
• BUS 240 Human Relations in the Workplace (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals need be proficient in effective assessment of patients’ needs and in communicating the needs of a diverse environment. EMS professionals must develop and maintain a relationship with the community. These courses provide appropriate skills to support this work. 

15. Nutrition

• NUTR& 101 Nutrition (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals need to understand the role of nutrition in human health and how eating habits, and disease effect the potential patients.

16. Humanities Course Recommendation

Choose one

• PHIL& 101 Introduction to Philosophy (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals need be able to develop critical thinking skills and be able to understand, sometimes vague, statements and thoughts from patients.

• HUM& 101 Introduction to Humanities (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals need to have a broader understanding of diverse perspectives and develops research skills.

17. Social Science Course Recommendation

Choose one

• BUS& 201 Business Law (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals need to understand the law and legal process in related to court and legal system.  As the EMS professional advances in rank and responsibility they have to grasp the major aspects of business.

• POLS& 202 American Government (5 credits)

• Course purpose: EMS professionals needs a basic understanding of government and how it affects the public sector employment. This class gives a description and analysis of the American political and governmental system.

Total Credits: 90