Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 College Catalog 
    
2019-2020 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Emergency Medical Services


THE A.A.S. IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES HAS A LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS AVAILABLE FOR ADMISSION.

ALL FIRST-TIME FRESHMAN AND TRANSFER STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED AS LIBERAL ARTS (A.A.) STUDENTS. ONCE STUDENTS SATISFACTORILY COMPLETE A SEQUENCE OF COURSES THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED INTO THE EMS MAJOR.

The Paramedic Program provides the professional skills and knowledge for a health care career as an entry-level Paramedic. The Paramedic is the highest level of the health care provider outside of the hospital setting. The program introduces the theory and practice of Emergency Medical Services and the role of the Paramedic in the area of prehospital care via the classroom, laboratory and actual clinical settings such as hospitals and ambulances. After successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the Paramedic-level examination in New York City, New York State and the National Registry.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the Paramedic Program, students must pass the CUNY Assessment Tests in Reading, Writing, and Math or satisfy all requirements for existing developmental coursework.

Students must complete BIO 1100 , ENG 1200 , EMS 100 , and EMS 101  with a minimum grade of “C” as well as two of the following courses: BIO 1200 , ENG 2400 , PSY 1100 , or any 3-credit Math and Quantitative Reasoning course with a minimum grade of “C” prior to placement in the first paramedic-level course (EMS 210 ).

Students must also have a minimum of 200 patient contact hours as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) prior to registration in EMS 210 .

Students must meet with the Program Director.

Retention Criteria

Criteria for retention in the Paramedic Program mandates that students:

  1. Earn a minimum of a “C” grade in the following general education courses: ENG 2400 , BIO 1200 , PSY 1100 , and any 3-credit Math and Quantitative Reasoning course. Students who earn less than a grade of “C” may repeat the course ONE TIME and must earn at least a grade of “C” in the repeated course. Students may not repeat more than two general education courses.
  2. Earn a minimum grade of “C” in all EMS courses.
  3. Earning less than a “C” grade in an EMS course may repeat the course ONE TIME (subject to space and availability). The minimum grade for EMS courses that are repeated is a “C.”
  4. Who earn a second grade of less than a “C” in any EMS course will be dismissed from the Paramedic Program.

Any student who has not attended EMS courses for two or more consecutive semesters cannot be readmitted into the Paramedic Program unless qualifying examinations have been passed in sequential order of the courses previously completed. These qualifying examinations can be repeated only once. In addition, the student must demonstrate clinical competency by passing a clinical practical examination prior to returning to any of the clinical courses.

In order to receive an A.A.S. in Emergency Medical Services- Paramedic, a student must complete the final 24 credits toward that degree while enrolled at Kingsborough.

Certification Requirements

According to New York State Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (NYS DOH BEMS) policy, the requirements for all EMTs/Paramedics are:

  • Complete the Application for Emergency Medical Services Certification (DOH-65), including affirmation regarding criminal convictions
  • Successfully complete an approved New York State EMT-B or AEMT course
  • Achieve a passing score on the practical and written certification examinations
  • Must be at least 18 years of age by the end of the month in which they are scheduled to take the written certification examination
  • Knowledge and skills required show need for high school or equivalent education
  • Ability to communicate effectively via telephone and radio equipment
  • Ability to lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance)
  • Ability to interpret oral, written and diagnostic form instructions
  • Ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high stress situations
  • Ability to be unaffected by loud noises and flashing lights
  • Ability to function efficiently without interruption throughout an entire work shift
  • Ability to calculate weight and volume ratios
  • Ability to read English language, manuals and road maps
  • Ability to accurately discern street signs and addresses
  • Ability to interview patients, patient family members and bystanders
  • Ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such
  • Ability to converse, in English, with coworkers and hospital staff with regard to the status of the patient
  • Possesses good manual dexterity with ability to perform all tasks related to the highest quality patient care
  • Ability to bend, stoop and crawl on uneven terrain
  • Ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold and moisture
  • Ability to work in low light situations and confined spaces
  • Ability to work with other providers to make appropriate patient care decisions

For more information regarding this policy, you can refer to www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/policy/00-10.htm

New York State DOH BEMS Policy on Criminal Conviction:

In accordance with the provisions of the State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Code - 10 NYCRR Part 800, applicants for EMS certification or recertification must not have been convicted of certain misdemeanors or felonies. The Department will review all criminal convictions from any federal, military, state and/or local jurisdiction to determine if such convictions fall within the scope of those specified in Part 800, or to determine if the applicant for certification represents a potential risk or danger to patients or the public at large.

The regulation does not prevent an applicant with a criminal conviction from attending and completing all of the requirements of an EMS course. However, it may prevent the applicant from becoming certified in New York State until the Department has conducted a review and investigation of the circumstances of the conviction(s) and made a determination that the applicant does not demonstrate a risk or danger to patients. For more information about this NYS DOH BEMS policy, refer to www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/policy/09-05.htm

Paramedic Clinical Courses

Following the successful completion of the EMT component of the program, students will enroll in paramedic-level clinical courses and will participate in actual patient care on ambulances and in various departments at different hospitals.

Malpractice Insurance – Health Clearance - CPR Certification – Criminal Background Check

Prior to the registration for the practicum, students in the Paramedic Program are required to obtain a criminal background check. In addition, students must obtain health clearance from the Kingsborough Community College Office of Health Services. A-108. Students can obtain information regarding annual physical examination, immunizations, and tuberculosis testing from the Office of Health Services.

Prior to registration in their first practicum, students must also obtain CPR certification and provide documentation of malpractice insurance valid for the entire semester to the Paramedic Program Office, located in T2-280. Information on obtaining CPR certification and malpractice insurance is available in the Paramedic Program Office.

Students are required to purchase uniforms as per the policy and procedures of the Paramedic Program. They may opt to purchase individual protective goggles.

This program’s academic requirements are demanding, and students are cautioned to plan their work schedules and extracurricular activities with this in mind. In addition to the classroom and laboratory hour requirements, students are required to, at a minimum, participate in one eight-hour clinical rotation at a hospital and two eight-hour rotations on an ambulance per week.

Both the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and the New York State Education Department have approved Kingsborough Community College to offer the Paramedic Program.

Disability Services

It is college policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. Any student with a documented disability who may need accommodations is requested to speak directly to Access-Ability Services, D-205, (718) 368-5175. All discussions will remain confidential.