Emergency Medical Science (EMS) & Paramedic
Emergency Medical Science
Emergency Medical Technician
VA APPROVED
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Program is designed to train individuals to become emergency medical personnel, this program teaches patient assessment and basic life support techniques including airway management and CPR; hemorrhage control; oxygen administration; shock; bandaging and splinting; skull, spine, and chest injuries; child birthing; exposure to cold and heat; and transferring patients to medical facilities.
The EMT Program is offered through a daytime or evening course. Successful completion of this course allows the student the opportunity to take the North Carolina EMT exam and the National Registry of EMT’s exam. In addition, the student will receive the American Heart Association BLS Provider certification.
The Daytime Program is a 9-10 week intensive and fast paced course designed to provide students with the basic skills needed to launch a career in Emergency Medical Services and/or Fire-EMS Services. Students in this course will meet Monday – Friday 0730-1630 for the first 28-32 days followed by 48 hours clinical rotation which will be scheduled through the clinical coordinator.
The Evening Program is a 18-22 week course designed to provide students with the basic skills needed to launch a career in Emergency Medical Services and/or Fire-EMS Services. Students in this course will meet Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1800-2200 and some Saturdays 0800-1700 followed by 48 hours clinical rotation which will be scheduled through the clinical coordinator.
Requirements to Register
(Effective for all courses beginning after January 1, 2025)
1. High School Diploma, Adult High School diploma, or GED® AND a CASAS Reading Goals test for reading comprehension score of 244 or higher or other reading comprehension test with equivalent score, taken within the past 12 months, OR
2. 17 years old by the end of the course AND a CASAS Reading Goals test score of 249+ or higher. If CASAS is not available a TABE test for reading comprehension score of 616+ or higher. (this is a State requirement when the student does not have verification high school completion)
3. Copy of valid/current driver’s permit or driver’s license.
4. Valid American Heart Association or Red Cross BLS Provider (CPR) card.
This course will follow the guidelines established by the North Carolina Office of EMS. The curriculum for the EMT educational program shall be the 1994 release of the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) EMT-Basic Course: National Standard Curriculum and the Supplemental Airways Modules for EMT-Basic; NSC.
Course Length: 272 hours (224 lecture hours, 48 clinical hours after successful completion of the didactic portion). Day and evening classes are available. Please see the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for details on upcoming class schedules.
For more information and class dates please call Rosina Matthews at 910-938-6161 or email matthewsr@coastalcarolina.edu
EMT Clinical Requirements
DAY TIME STUDENTS: Vaccination/compliance tracker and background check must be complete by the 1st day of class. It is recommended that you work on the vaccination/compliance tracker early. The Drug Screen needs to be complete not more than 1 week prior to the course start date and is due no later than the first day of EMT class. DO NOT complete the drug screen early or it will be considered invalid and will not be accepted by our clinical site.
EVENING STUDENTS: A packet will be provided the first night of class and you will be told when you must have the drug screen and background check complete. DO NOT complete the drug screen early or it will be considered invalid and will not be accepted by our clinical site.
Criminal Background Check
Contracted clinical sites require that all students participating in the clinical experience will receive a criminal background check. The background check is done online through Castle Branch, code OQ23bg. The cost of this background check is $67 (student’s expense). See Clinical requirements above regarding due date for the Background Check based on the course for which you are registered.
Drug Screen
Contracted clinical sites require that all students participating in the clinical experience will have a drug screen completed online through Castle Branch, code OQ23dt. The cost of the drug screen is $40 (student’s expense). See Clinical requirements above regarding due date for the Drug Screen based on the course for which you are registered.
Vaccination Tracker
The student will be required to purchase a vaccination tracker through Castle Branch, code OQ23im. The cost of the vaccination tracker is $30 (student’s expense). The required vaccinations will be uploaded to Castle Branch. See Clinical Requirements above regarding due date for the Vaccination Tracker based on the course for which you are registered.
Paramedic Program - Certificate
Our Mission Statement
The mission of the Coastal Carolina Community College Emergency Medical Science Paramedic Program is to prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
Course Description
The Continuing Education paramedic course is designed to produce competent entry-level Paramedics who can provide treatment to the community in emergency situations. Paramedics assess the urgent needs of patients and stabilize their conditions until they receive definitive care. This treatment includes advanced life support, advanced patient assessment, airway management, pharmacological interventions, and critical decision making. The various skills a Paramedic performs may include intravenous therapy, drug administration, electrical cardioversion, induction of hypothermia, surgical airway, and many others performed in the uncontrolled environment.
Students will acquire these skills by utilizing classroom instruction, practical laboratory sessions, hospital clinical experiences, and field internships with emergency services agencies. Paramedics are employed with emergency medical services; fire and rescue services; critical care transport services; air medical services; hospitals; industry; educational institutions; and local, state, and national emergency management agencies.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to sit for the North Carolina Paramedic examination and the National Registry Paramedic examination.
Coastal also offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Science. For more information about this program, visit the Emergency Medical Science page.
| EMS Paramedic Continuing Education Outcomes | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 No graduates during the 2022 reporting year. |
| Retention | 54.5% | 50% | 71.4% | - |
| Pass Rate (Cumulative NREMT/State exam within three attempts) |
100% | 100% | 100% | - |
| Placement | 100% | 100% | 100% | - |
Paramedic Student Pre-Requisites
- Possession of a valid and active North Carolina EMT Credential, NREMT or other states EMS Credential. All students must start clinical/field at the same time, staggered start dates will not be accepted.
- High school diploma or high school equivalency. If an Institution is presented with documents that the Institutions Advisors, Counselors or Registrar will accept as an equivalent (Home School, International schooling, etc.) then there must be some form of documentation placed into the students file acknowledging acceptance of same.
- Successful completion of college-level English, or within the previous 12 months complete a written assessment placing the individual into college-level English. Placement by RISE without the use of a written assessment will not meet this requirement.
- Successful completion of college-level Math, or within the previous 12 months complete a written assessment placing the individual into college-level Math. Placement by RISE without the use of a written assessment will not meet this requirement.
Paramedic Student Co-Requisite:
Anatomy & Physiology are required for this course. It is highly recommended that students complete A&P prior to the start date of class. Those who have not completed A&P prior to the start of class MUST have completed the education by the start of Module II.
We will accept any of the following:
- EMS- 3163 Basic Anatomy and Physiolo
i. when the course meets all other requirements
- BIO- 163: Basic Anatomy and Physiology
- BIO- 165 & 166: Anatomy and Physiology I & II (Must complete both sections)
- BIO- 168 & 169: Anatomy and Physiology I & II (Must complete both sections)
**All questions regarding your anatomy and physiology education should be directed to the EMS Coordinator or Director of EMS**
Hours
This course is divided into four consecutive modules and covers approximately 1300 hours over 16-18 months. This hybrid course requires two nights per week in the classroom, Tuesday/Thursday 1800-2200, requires online content, hospital clinical and field ride time. *For specific course schedule please contact the Director of EMS or the EMS Coordinator*
Schedule
Please see the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for details on upcoming classes.
Questions?
Rosina Matthews
Coordinator, Emergency Medical Science
910.938.6161
matthewsr@coastalcarolina.edu
Beth Himes
Director, Emergency Medical Science
910.938.6127
himesb@coastalcarolina.edu
Cost
The cost for the Paramedic program will be approximately $2,600 for all give modules during the 16-month period. This includes tuition, required textbooks, online resource material, criminal background check, drug screen, immunization tracker, and uniforms. This cost may vary depending on legislated tuition costs. The registration fees may be waived for North Carolina volunteer or paid, non-convalescent, lifesaving departments (EMS), volunteer or paid firefighters, and municipal, county, or state law enforcement officers, with proof of membership. Refer to the Request for Fee Exemption form for details.
Course fees will be collected at the time of registration. Students may register in person in the Kenneth B. Hurst Continuing Education Building. Students may also register by mail, email, or fax - see the Registration & Fees page for details.
Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify. Please see the Continuing Education Financial Assistance page for details.
Accreditation Status
The Coastal Carolina Community College Emergency Medical Science Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
To contact CoAEMSP:
214-703-8445
www.coaemsp.org
EMS In-Service 
Coastal offers EMS in-service courses monthly. Please refer to the current Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for upcoming classes.
Category: 911 Telecommunications
Emergency Telecommunicators Course
Please refer to the current Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for upcoming dates and times.
These courses are offered through the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch, by an Academy-approved instructor. Completion of these courses leads to national certification.
This course is designed to focus on developing the essential knowledge and skills required to function as an Emergency Telecommunicator. The course will include lecture with practical application, as well as visiting an actual Public Safety Telecommunications Center.
Prerequisites
- 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED® diploma
Hours
40 hours, Monday – Thursday, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. Classes are scheduled as needed.
Textbook
- Emergency Telecommunicator Course Manual
The textbook is available through the College Store or Priority Dispatch.
Emergency Medical Dispatch
Please refer to the current Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for upcoming dates and times.
These courses are offered through the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch, by an Academy-approved instructor. Completion of these courses leads to national certification and North Carolina Emergency Medical Dispatcher credential.
This course is designed to prepare the student to perform the functions of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) using the Medical Priority Dispatch System. Through lecture, demonstration, and hands-on practice, this class will cover all the aspects of the job of EMD. Upon successful completion of this class, the student will be qualified to test for credentialing as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
Prerequisites
- High School diploma OR
- GED OR
- Reading comprehension score of 10.0th grade or higher
Hours
24 hours – 3 consecutive days, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Classes scheduled as needed.
Registration
Students are required to register at least two weeks in advance through Coastal Carolina Community College ($71, unless fee waived) AND through Priority Dispatch. Fees charged by Priority Dispatch includes textbooks, National Certification, and exam; these fees are separate than those of Coastal Carolina Community College and are required as part of the registration process.
Textbooks
- Principles of Emergency Medical Dispatch
- EMD Course Manual
- EMD Scenario Manual
Books are issued in class.