S.C. College to Offer EMT Program
Oct. 21--UNION COUNTY -- A goal four years in the making will be achieved in the spring of 2015 when the Union County Advanced Technology offers an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course.
Site Coordinator Kathy Jo Lancaster announced Monday that the UCATC is currently enrolling students for the EMT classes which will be held on the weekends beginning in January.
"In the spring 2015 term the Advanced Technology Center will offer Union County residents the opportunity to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians as a kickoff to Spartanburg Community College's Weekend College Program," Lancaster said. "Two courses, Emergency Medical Care I and II, will be offered on weekends beginning in January 2015 through SCC's Continuing Education and Health and Human Services divisions giving students the opportunity to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) practical and written examinations upon successful completion of the classes.
"Students may elect to take the certification through continuing education or earn an academic certificate giving graduates the option to transition into the Paramedic General Technology Associate degree program," she said. "Students desiring to earn an academic credential may qualify for financial assistance to complete the program."
Lancaster said that the possibility of offering the EMT program at UCATC has been under consideration for some time in response to projected job growth.
"The college has considered offering the certification course at the ATC since 2011 in response to the projected growth of the field," Lancaster said. "Employment of Emergency Medical Technicians is projected to grow 23 percent over the next 10 years which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
"This increase could be attributed to an expansion in health care related jobs due to the aging Baby Boomer population and the fact that potential students realize it takes less time and financial investment to become an EMT rather than many other healthcare occupations," he said. "Once students pass the NREMT exam they are ready to enter the workforce and can earn an average yearly starting salary of $31,000 or $15 per hour."
Lancaster added that, due to the growth occurring in the field, SCC has a 100 percent placement rate for graduates of its EMT program.
"They (the graduates) may have to travel outside the county to work, but jobs in this field are available regionally," Lancaster said.
EMTs are clinicians who are trained to respond quickly to emergency situations involving medical issues, traumatic injuries, and accident scenes. Paramedics have the most advanced level of education, but must first complete EMT and Advanced EMT levels of instruction. They must also complete courses in advanced medical skills.
"Often these individuals are interested in eventually becoming nurses or physicians and plan to use the experience as an EMT or a paramedic as an opportunity for entry into advanced fields of study," Lancaster said. "EMTs work for ambulance services, hospitals, fire departments, and as emergency room technicians."
The EMT program that will be offered at UCATC includes formal classroom instruction combined with practical skills lab and a field internship on a 911 ambulance.
Lancaster said the classes will be offered on the weekends to make it convenient for people who have professional and/or family commitments that would prevent them from taking them during the week. She said the classes will be held on Fridays from 6-10 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with an hour for lunch, and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.
The Union County Advanced Technology Center is currently enrolling students for the EMT program which will be able to accommodate a student body of 20. Lancaster said that in order to enroll a person must have either a high school diploma or GED. She said that in order to take the NREMT exam, students must be at least 18 years of age.
For more information about the EMT program and/or registering, contact the Union County Advanced Technology Center at 864-466-1060.
Copyright 2014 - The Union Daily Times, S.C.
