Emergency Medical Services

What is EMS?

EMS (Emergency Medical Services) is a coordinated system designed to respond to medical emergencies. It is staffed by highly trained prehospital clinicians who provide care to the sick and injured before they reach a hospital.

EMS operates as a tiered system, similar to the nursing profession, where providers advance through different levels of education, certification, and responsibility. At each level, individuals must complete training and pass a certification exam before practicing.

For information about the EMS Bridge, please visit the Emergency Medical Science program page.

EMS Levels of Care

Basic Life Support (BLS)

BLS providers deliver non-invasive, essential emergency care. This includes:

• CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
• Basic airway management
• Oxygen administration
• Patient assessment

BLS Certification Levels:

• EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) - Provides immediate lifesaving care with limited equipment.
• EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) - Provides basic prehospital care, including patient stabilization and transport.

Advanced Life Support (ALS)

ALS providers perform more advanced, invasive medical procedures and have a greater depth of knowledge and training.

ALS Certification Levels:

• AEMT (Advanced EMT) - Can perform limited advanced procedures (e.g., IV therapy, some medications).
• Paramedic - Highly trained providers capable of advanced assessments, medication administration, cardiac monitoring, and airway management.
• Critical Care Paramedic - Specializes in high-acuity patient care, often during interfacility transport (e.g., ventilators, ICU-level care).
• Community Paramedic - Focuses on preventive care, chronic disease management, and reducing hospital readmissions by working within the community.

EMS is a progressive, tiered system similar to nursing (CNA → LPN → RN). Each level builds upon the previous one, requiring additional training, testing, and responsibility. Together, EMS professionals provide essential, lifesaving care in emergency situations.

EMS Career Opportunities include but are not limited to: EMS Agencies, Emergency Departments, Flight/Ground Crews, Urgent Cares, Other Hospital, Doctor's Offices, and Clinics.

Median Salary

• EMT - $42122
• Advanced EMT - $49075
• Paramedic - $58410

Entry-Level EMS Education (Non-Credentialed Students)

Students who are not yet credentialed in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field will begin with foundational training at the Basic Life Support (BLS) level.

At this stage, candidates learn the fundamentals of emergency medical care, including how to respond to:

• Life-threatening medical conditions
• Major traumatic injuries
• Patients across the lifespan (adult and pediatric populations)

Coursework typically includes:

• American Heart Association (AHA) BLS/CPR certification
• Introduction to EMS operations and logistics
• Basic anatomy and physiology

By the end of this training, students will have a solid foundation in providing essential, life-saving emergency care, preparing them for advancement into higher levels of EMS certification.

EMR Overview

Students beginning as an EMR will be able to function as a non-transport, first responder provider with their volunteer or paid agency.

Prerequisites

• 17 years of age prior to the end of the course.
• *Written Assessment of Candidate Education level.
  • Must score at or above the 10^th grade reading level.

EMT Overview

Career & College Promise and Apprenticeship Pathways Begin here

At the EMT level, students will learn additional medications and skills with the capabilities of working with volunteer and paid transport agencies.

Students who plan to advance their EMS education should begin here.

Prerequisites

• 17 years of age prior to the end of the course.
• *Written Assessment of Candidate Education level.
  • Must score at or above the 11^th grade reading level.

*The written assessment will be administered at the course center during orientation.

Advanced Healthcare Provider Courses

Credentialled EMTs may further their healthcare provider education into Advanced level courses:

Students who have successfully completed an EMT course may continue building on the foundation of their healthcare education into the advanced levels of AEMT or Paramedic. Paramedic candidates will be prepared to provide the highest-level emergency medical care.

Advanced EMT (AEMT) Overview

Students continuing into AEMT will learn essential advanced skills including advanced airways, intravenous therapy, ECG monitor basics, and more.

Prerequisites

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Active EMT Credential
• *Written Assessment of Candidate Education level
  • College Level English and Math

Paramedic Overview

Paramedic students will learn highly advanced life-saving interventions and medical knowledge that is on the leading-edge of paramedicine including pleural decompression, tracheal intubation, cricothyrotomy, and more.

Prerequisites

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Active EMT Credential
• *Written Assessment of Candidate Education level
  • College Level English and Math
  • Paramedic Candidate Entrance Exam

*The written assessment will be administered at the course center during or prior to orientation.

Credentialled Paramedics may further their healthcare provider education into an Associate’s Degree.

Program Contacts: