Emergency Medical Services Program
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training courses meet both the initial training and Workforce Development and Career Readiness (WDCR) requirements for medical responders within College of The Albemarle’ (COA) service area.
Looking to earn a degree in EMS? Check out COA’s Emergency Medical Science – AAS program.
The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services works with the college to develop classes for individuals interested in joining a first responder department, rescue squad and/or EMS agency. The classes we offer include Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and Paramedic.
For additional information on class prerequisites and qualifications, please call 252-335-0821 ext. 2418.
WDCR is provided by COA through each of the county’s EMS agencies. Please contact the appropriate agency for class dates and times.
If your agency wishes to hold a special class of any kind or if you have questions about our EMS WDCR classes, please contact us.
Accreditation Status
The COA 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 Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (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 NREMT’s Paramedic credentialing examination(s); however, it is not a guarantee of eventual accreditation.
CoAEMSP Contact
Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
Paramedic Program Outcomes
| Year | Students enrolled |
Students graduated |
Attrition | Graduates attempted certifying exam |
Graduates passed certifying exam on first attempt |
Percent passed on first attempt |
Graduates employed |
Percentage of graduates employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 – 2019 | 35 | 17 | 52% | 17 | 16 | 94% | 17 | 100% |
| 2017 – 2018 | 29 | 12 | 59% | 12 | 12 | 100% | 12 | 100% |
Classes
- Classroom lectures, which include cognitive examinations (approximately 70 hours);
- Online assignments (approximately 40 hours);
- Lab sessions, which include hands-on skills training (approximately 72 hours); and
- EMS field mentoring (36 hours).
Through lectures, interactive presentations, skills labs, and simulations, you will build the knowledge and skills to care for patients. This course will prepare the student for basic life-saving skills and to administer many emergency medications. This class will prepare the student to perform in the pre-hospital world.
EMS Field Ride-Along
As a student you must complete 36 hours of observation under the supervision of a preceptor at an affiliated EMS agency. This may be completed starting mid-point through the course if you have completed all of the course medical requirements. The field ride-along must be completed within 30 days from the last day of didactic. The available shifts include day, evening, and weekends shifts (separate from the classroom hours).
- Classroom lectures, which include cognitive examinations (approximately 94 hours);
- Online assignments (approximately 40 hours);
- Lab sessions, which include hands-on skills training (approximately 74 hours);
- Clinical education (48 hours); and
- EMS field mentoring (48 hours).
Through lectures, interactive presentations, skills labs, and simulations, you’ll build the knowledge and skills to care for patients. This course will prepare the student for advanced life-saving skills, including: safety and well-being, airway management, advanced patient assessment methods, electrocardiogram interpretation, vascular access, and administration of emergency medications. This class will prepare the student to perform in the pre-hospital world as an entry-level AEMT.
Clinical Education
As a student you must complete a minimum of 48 hours of clinical education under the supervision of a preceptor at an affiliated clinical site. A minimum of 24 hours of clinical education must be performed within a hospital emergency department. The available shifts include day, evening, and weekend shifts (separate from the classroom hours) and must be completed in eight-hour or 12-hour rotations.
Field Mentoring
As a student you must complete a minimum of 48 hours of field mentoring under the supervision of a mentor at an affiliated EMS agency. The available shifts include day, evening, and weekend shifts (separate from the classroom hours) and must be completed in eight-hour or 12-hour rotations.
- Classroom lectures, which include cognitive examinations (approximately 240 hours);
- Online assignments (approximately 250 hours);
- Lab sessions, which include hands-on skills training (approximately 220 hours);
- Clinical education (120 hours); and
- EMS field mentoring (240 hours).
Through lectures, interactive presentations, skills labs, and simulations, you’ll build the knowledge and skills to care for patients. This course will prepare the student for advanced life-saving skills, including: patient assessment methods, critical thinking, electrocardiogram interpretation, cardioversion, pacing, vascular access, and to administer emergency medications. This class will prepare the student to perform in the pre-hospital world as an entry-level paramedic.
Clinical Education
As a student you must complete a minimum of 120 hours of clinical education under the supervision of a preceptor at an affiliated clinical site. A minimum of 48 hours of clinical education must be performed within a hospital emergency department. This may be completed starting in the second semester. The available shifts include day, evening, and weekend shifts (separate from the classroom hours) and must be completed in eight-hour or 12-hour rotations.
Field Mentoring
As a student you must complete a minimum of 240 hours of field mentoring under the supervision of a mentor at an affiliated EMS agency. This may be completed starting in the final semester. The available shifts include day, evening, and weekend shifts (separate from the classroom hours) and must be completed in eight-hour or 12-hour rotations.