The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course at High Desert Medical College prepares entry-level healthcare professionals to manage emergencies. EMTs assess scenes, prioritize care, provide immediate treatment, and coordinate patient transport.
The program is intended for those who may want to achieve employment as a firefighter, emergency medical technician as an ambulance attendant/driver, ER tech and for entrance into Physician Assistant programs.
The certification program equips students for various EMS roles—such as 911 responders, emergency room staff, and transport EMTs for ambulances, clinics, and events. Graduates use core knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology to deliver emergency care for medical crises, trauma, and special needs. They also learn operational responsibilities to ensure the safety of patients, the public, and personnel, and are prepared to pass the NREMT Certification Exam on their first attempt.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
At the end of the program, the student will be able to perform the following in the care of patients safely:
- Assess patients, including their level of consciousness and pupil reactions
- Provide rescue and emergency medical care
- Perform basic life support skills effectively
- Take vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry)
- Use airway and oxygen delivery devices for supplemental oxygen
- Apply basic knowledge of medications that EMTs may assist with or administer during emergencies
- Understand the causes, pathophysiology, and management of shock, respiratory or cardiac failure, and post-resuscitation care
- Safely operate different types of stretchers to lift patients
- Document assessments and occurrence notes in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
- Demonstrate entry-level competency as an Emergency Medical Technician
COURSE OVERVIEW
- On campus format
- Course length: 12 weeks
- Saturday and Sunday – 8am to 5:30pm
UPON COMPLETION
Graduating from the HDMC program qualifies the graduate to take the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) computerized certification exam to obtain the National EMT Certification.