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If you want to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and are looking for EMT programs in South Carolina then you are in luck, as there are many facilities that offer EMT Courses. There are various qualifications for EMTs, such as the EMT-Basic program, Certificate Programs, Associate’s Degree Programs, and refresher training programs.
Emergency medical technicians provide emergency care to the critically injured at the scene of an emergency and en route to a medical facility. A 911 operator typically dispatches paramedics and EMTs to an emergency scene, where they will often work with fire department personnel and/or police. Once on the scene the EMT will determine the nature and extent of the patient’s condition and attempt to ascertain whether the patient has any pre-existing medical conditions. Appropriate emergency medical care is given and the patient is transported to the nearest medical facility when possible.
Requirements For EMT Programs In South Carolina
In order to enrol in the EMT-Basic program an applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age before course completion
- Be a high school graduate or possess a high school equivalency (GED)
- Be physically fit and able to perform all the tasks required of an EMT
Some schools may also require applicants to do a standardized test to check their reading comprehension and math skills.
Does One Need EMT Experience To Become A Paramedic?
Schools differ in their requirements. Typically, one does not need to have EMT experience in order to enrol in a paramedic-training program, but South Carolina does require that paramedic students be certified as an EMT prior to enrolling into a paramedic program. There are so many EMT programs in South Carolina that it really makes sense to do even an EMT-Basic course prior to attempting a paramedic course, and in South Carolina, a NREMT-B certification will likely suffice.
Types Of EMT Courses Offered In South Carolina
EMT programs in South Carolina essentially consist of:
Emergency Medical Technician (Basic)
This is the most basic EMT course offered to individuals wishing to become emergency medical technicians in South Carolina. This 200-hour program should take approximately six months to complete if done on a part-time basis. South Carolina adheres to the current U.S. Department of Transportation/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) curriculum for EMT Basic. Graduates are eligible to take the National Registry Examination.
Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) Internet-Based With Lab
These EMT programs in South Carolina cover the same material as the classroom-based EMT Basic course but utilize Internet technology for some of the instruction. Students must do weekly assignments and attend one evening of lab session s per month for six months. Graduates are eligible to take the National Registry Examination.
EMT Refresher
The Refresher course aims to allow you to update your knowledge and practical skills and qualify to take the recertification-licensing exam. The course includes 24 core hours of training, an additional 48 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and 8 hours of CPR training, which meets current curriculum mandates.
EMT Paramedic Associate Degree
EMTs can take this advanced program. Applicants are required to certify as an EMT prior to enrolling, have the required CPR certification, and some schools require applicants to have completed an anatomy and physiology course, and even an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification. An EMT-Paramedic course typically provides a mixture of classroom and in-hospital clinical experience, as well as some field experience.
The Paramedic NREMT Exam
All graduates from EMT programs in South Carolina must take and pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam in order to become certified. The NREMT examination is both a skills test (psychomotor examination) as well as a computer adaptive test (cognitive examination).
Psychomotor Examination
The psychomotor examination that forms part of the NREMT consists of 12 separate skills presented in a scenario-type format to gauge the abilities of the EMT-Paramedic to function in an out-of-hospital setting. Individuals taking the examination may bring their own equipment, provided it is approved for testing by the National Registry Representative in attendance at the examination.
This portion of the paramedic NREMT exam is designed to test one’s competency and knowledge in the following skills:
- Cardiac Management Skills
- IV and Medication Skills
- Oral Station
- Patient Assessment-Trauma
- Pediatric Skills
- Random Basic Skills
- Ventilatory Management
Cognitive Examination
The cognitive examination portion of the NREMT will cover the entire spectrum of EMS care.
This includes:
- Airway
- Ventilation
- Oxygenation
- Trauma
- Cardiology
- Medical
- EMS Operations
The maximum amount of time you have to pass this portion of the exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
EMT Programs In South Carolina
The following are some of the various offerings of EMT programs in South Carolina, including some information regarding program requirements, degree options, and courses.
EMT Basic Courses
Midlands Technical College
Program Name: EMT-Basic Course
Program Length: 200 hours
Tuition (2012): $929 for the EMT-Basic Course.(Check with college for tuition for other courses)
Admission Requirements: High School Diploma/GED, and WorkKeys Assessment Tests
School Type: 2-year, public; around 12,000 students (all undergraduate)
Address: 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia, South Carolina 29170
Phone: (803) 738-8324
Website: http://www.midlandstech.edu
Students who successfully complete this course will be eligible to sit for the National Registry Examination sponsored by SC DHEC. Students need to supply their own mandatory uniform of black khaki pants, black polo shirt, black shoes, and a black belt.
MTC also offers an EMT-refresher course, an EMT Remedial Course, and an EMT-hybrid course, part of which can be completed online.
Certificate EMT Programs In South Carolina
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Program Name: EMT-Paramedic Certificate
Program Length: 3 Semesters
Tuition (2012): $1,631 per semester for residents, $2,088 per semester for out-of-county residents, $2913 for non-residents (costs for full-time students)
Admission Requirements: EMT-B certification, drug screening, criminal background check,
School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 7,500 students (all undergraduate)
Address: 2050 Highway 501 East, Conway, South Carolina 29526
Phone: (843) 347-3186
Website: http://www.hgtc.edu
This EMT-Paramedic Certificate is designed for students who are currently employed in the fire/rescue field and who are South Carolina EMT Basic or National Registry EMT Basic certified. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the EMT – Paramedic National Registry Exam.
Associate’s Degree EMT Programs In South Carolina
Greenville Technical College
Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology
Program Length: 2 years
Tuition (2012): $212 per credit for residents, $225 per credit for out-of-county residents, $380 per credit for non-residents (tuition and fees)
Admission Requirements: Drug screen, vaccinations, health physical, background check
School Type: 2-year, public; about 14,500 students (all undergraduate)
Address: 620 S Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, South Carolina 29607
Phone: (864) 250-8288
Website: http://www.gvltec.edu/
This associate’s degree program is aimed at aspiring EMTs and paramedics. Students will take classes in advanced emergency medical care, complete clinical experiences and partake in a paramedic internship.
Upon completion of this program, students will be eligible to sit for the EMT – Paramedic National Registry Exam.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology
Program Length: Two years
Tuition (2012): $1,631 per semester for residents, $2,088 per semester for out-of-county residents, $2913 for non-residents (costs for full-time students)
Admission Requirements: Criminal background check, drug screening, physical exam
School Type: 2-year, public; about 7,500 students (all undergraduate)
Address: 2050 Highway 501 East, Conway, South Carolina 29526
Phone: (843) 347-3186
Website: http://www.hgtc.edu
Students can earn an EMT-B certificate after the first two semesters. Courses in advanced emergency medical care, life support and international trauma life support, and paramedic clinical sessions and internships are offered. To qualify for the degree, a student must complete a field internship.
Graduates of the program may apply to take the National Registry Examination for EMT – Paramedic.
Trident Technical College
Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology
Program Length: 2 years
Tuition (2012): $149 per credit for residents, $166 per credit for out-of-county residents, $286 per credit for non-residents
Admission Requirements: Criminal background check, drug screening, health record, proof of observation of an EMT-Paramedic
School Type: 2-year, public; about 17,000 students (all undergraduate)
Address: 7000 Rivers Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29423
Phone: (843) 574-6350
Website: www.tridenttech.edu
The associate’s degree program offered by Trident Technical College prepares students to enter the workforce as an EMT or paramedic. Students are required to complete clinical experiences and an internship in order to graduate.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Registry Examination for EMT-Paramedic.
The state of South Carolina requires that everyone successfully pass the NREMT examinations and be Nationally Registered prior to achieving State Certification. As from January 1, 2013, all students will be compelled to complete paramedic education at an accredited school in order to take the paramedic NREMT exam.
Whichever of the EMT programs in South Carolina you choose to take, do your research first and make sure that the program that you take suits you, that you have what is required for registration, and that the program is accredited.