Victor Valley College offers one preparatory course and two programs that enable students to enter careers in Emergency Medical Services. The preparatory course is Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). The first of the two programs is Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), after which students may continue to the Paramedic Program. Classes in this area meet California State EMS Authority and ICEMA (Inland County Emergency Medical Agency) regulations. The Paramedic program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is both preparatory and can be utilized for areas such as ski patrol and private, industrial safety teams at remote or large locations. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is the minimum level of medical training / certification required to work on an ambulance or for a fire department (with additional Fire Technology coursework). Paramedic is the most advanced level of medical training found in the Public Safety profession (private and public sector) and is highly sought after by both ambulance and fire departments nationwide.
Faculty
Jones, Scott
Oleson, David
Pendergraft, Jenilynn
Reddall, Bradley
Transfer
Not typically a transfer major. Students may pursue bachelor’s degrees in related fields such as Public Safety and Emergency Management, B.S. at Grand Canyon University, or Health Administration, B.S. with a concentration in Emergency Management at the University of Phoenix.
Programs of Study
- Advanced Life Support Module 1 Certificate of Achievement
- Advanced Life Support Module 2 Certificate of Achievement
- Advanced Life Support Module 3 Certificate of Achievement
- Advanced Provider Certificate of Completion
- Basic Life Support Provider Certificate of Completion
- Basic Provider Certificate of Completion
- Emergency Medical Services Foundation Certificate of Achievement
- Emergency Medical Services, AS
- Emergency Medical Technician Certificate of Achievement
- Paramedic Certificate of Achievement
- Paramedic Internship Certificate of Achievement
- Pediatric Life Support Provider Certificate of Completion
- Trauma Life Support Provider Certificate of Completion
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program.
Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrates the ability to integrate the knowledge of injury / illness pathophysiology for all patients into a high quality of treatment and patient care.
- Apply effective leadership and communication strategies to effectively manage an emergency situation.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate various patient conditions and implement appropriate advanced skills based upon necessity.
- Perform at a minimum, as a competent, safe practitioner in caring for the community and the critically sick and injured.
- Describe the proper assessment, treatment and management of medical and trauma patients.
- Describe the laws and regulations pertaining to the role of an EMT.
- Accurately perform a patient assessment of medical and trauma patients on simulated patients.
- Describe the role of oxygen in the human body and the implications if it does not receive the proper amount.
- Describe the value of knowing the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body when treating a patient.
- Distinguish the attributes, behaviors, historical milestones, and the leadership role you play within the EMS profession.
- Apply the behaviors that promote well being and stress management within the EMS profession.
- Interpret the ethical characteristics and demonstrate appropriate problem solving tools, needed to solve medical ethical dilemmas within the EMS profession.
- Interpret the laws, rules, and regulations as related to: negligence, malpractice, consent, and treatment within the EMS profession.
- Analyze and appropriately treat cardiac patients.
- Compare and contrast the different routes of medication administration and the effects of the medications on the different body systems.
- Differentiate medication classes and their effects on special patients such as: Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Chronically ill, and pregnant patients.
- Calculate and properly prepare medication for administration.
- Recognize safe and effective handling and administration of medications as well as the therapeutic effects on the patients.
- Discuss the side effects, complications, post administration follow-up including: Documentation, and reassessment of the patient.
- Analyze and differentiate the various medical disorders of the human body, associated anatomical / pathophysiological abnormalities, design treatment modalities and assess for patient responses.
- Compare and contrast the anatomical and pathophysiological implications of pediatric emergencies, describe various medical and traumatic emergencies, describe treatment plans and assess for patient response to treatments.
- Differentiate the kinematics of trauma, mechanism of injury, compare and contrast the effects of trauma on various body systems, organize a standard approach to the trauma patient, arrange for specialized assistance and assess a critically injured patient within an acceptable time-frame.
- Successfully analyze a sick or injured patient and provide an advanced level of care.
- Successfully treat a sick or injured patient providing a basic level of care.
- Describe the proper assessment, treatment and management of medical and trauma patients.
- Describe the laws and regulations pertaining to the role of an EMT.
- Accurately perform a patient assessment of medical and trauma patients on simulated patients.
- Recognize and manage a victim experiencing a medical emergency.
- Recognize and manage a victim experiencing a traumatic injury.
- Recognize the role and responsibility of the Emergency Medical Responder in the EMS System.
- Describe the proper assessment, treatment and management of medical and trauma patients.
- Describe the laws and regulations pertaining to the role of an EMT.
- Accurately perform a patient assessment of medical and trauma patients on simulated patients.
- Adequately asses and treat patients requiring emergency medical care.
- Differentiate the pathophysiology, formulate treatment plans and assess for patient improvement of various emergencies and conditions for the adult and pediatric patient.
- Analyze and classify patient conditions, organize patient exam techniques in the clinical setting and evaluate a complete patient assessment.
- Analyze and classify patient conditions, organize patient exam techniques in the field setting and evaluate a patient assessment for organizing effective reporting techniques.
- Recognize the need for basic and advanced life support skills, analyze the effectiveness, organize a standard approach and assess for effectiveness / success of each skill and assessment tool.
- Debate special reporting and documentation conditions, prepare a patient care report, categorize the different types of documentation approved for use in the field setting and choose the appropriate documentation format based on the conditions.
- Demonstrate hands on psychomotor skills under the direct supervision of a clinical preceptor (RN), these skills should include but are not limited to: IV insertion, medication administration, advanced airway procedures, and wound/orthopedic care.
- Describe the various modes of patient transportation, debate the appropriate use of ground versus air transportation, define patient implications for each mode of transportation, create decision patterns for consideration of patient transportation modes and weigh the risks and benefits of each mode.
- Examine the relative importance of complete scene management and leadership skills, formulate a communication plan and consider the safety of the EMS team.
Emergency Medical Services Courses
Heartsaver Courses are designed for anyone with little or no medical training who needs a course completion card for job, regulatory (e.g., OSHA), or other requirements. These courses can also be taken by anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency in any setting. Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Online has been updated to reflect new science from the 2015 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC and the 2015 AHA/Red Cross Guidelines for First Aid. This course is designed to prepare students to provide first aid, CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a safe, timely, and effective manner. Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Online is the eLearning portion of the Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Blended Learning Course and is designed to teach students information needed for first aid, CPR, and AED training. Upon completion of the online portion, students must complete hands-on skills session with an AHA BLS or Heartsaver Instructor. A certificate of completion is available to print when the online portion has been completed successfully. For greater success, it is recommended that the hands-on skills session be conducted shortly after completing the online portion Upon successful completion of both the online and hands-on portions of the course, students will receive a Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course completion card (print or eCard), valid for 2 years. This course does not apply to the Associate Degree.
Lecture Hours: 1.5; Lab Hours: 4.5
Transfer: Not transferable
The HeartCode BLS online cognitive portion must be paired with a hands-on skills practice and testing session with an AHA BLS Instructor. Where available, students may also complete the hands-on portion with a voice-assisted manikin (VAM). Students who successfully complete the online portion receive a certificate that allows them entrance to a skills practice and testing session. An AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers course completion card will be issued upon successful completion of both parts. This course does not apply to the Associate Degree.
Lecture Hours: 1.5; Lab Hours: 4.0
Transfer: Not transferable
HeartCode ACLS is the AHA's blended learning delivery method for the AHA's ACLS Course. Blended learning is a combination of eLearning, in which a student completes part of the course in a self-directed manner, followed by a hands-on session. HeartCode ACLS is a self-directed, comprehensive eLearning program that uses eSimulation technology to allow students to assess and treat patients in virtual healthcare settings. To enter the course, students must complete a precourse self-assessment. Students will then be presented with a team dynamics lesson and 10 In-hospital patient cases, including a BLS case and 2 megacode cases. The cases may be repeated as many times as necessary to pass. Upon successful completion of all the patient cases, students will take a multiple choice exam and must pass with a minimum score of 84%. This course does not apply to the Associate Degree.
Lecture Hours: 3.0; Lab Hours: 9.0
Transfer: Not transferable
ACLS for Experienced Providers goes beyond the core ACLS training by offering critical thinking opportunities for those advanced, experienced, healthcare professionals who use ACLS on a regular basis. The goal of ACLS EP is to improve outcomes in complex cardiovascular, respiratory and other (e.g., metabolic, toxicologic) emergencies by expanding on core ACLS guidelines and encouraging critical thinking and decision-making strategies. Through cooperative learning and active participation in case-based scenarios, learners enhance their skills in the differential diagnosis and treatment of prearrest, arrest and postarrest patients. This course does not apply to the Associate Degree.
Lecture Hours: 3.0; Lab Hours: 9.0
Transfer: Not transferable
HeartCode® PALS is an online comprehensive eLearning program that uses eSimulation technology to allow students to assess and treat patients in virtual healthcare settings. In this environment, students apply their knowledge to real-time decision-making and skills development. To enter the course, students must complete the PALS Precourse Self-Assessment. Students are then presented with 12 In-hospital patient cases and a team dynamics lesson. Cases may be repeated as many times as necessary to pass. Upon successful completion of all the patient cases, students must pass the multiple-choice exam with a minimum score of 84%. Students who successfully complete the online portion of the course receive a certificate granting them access to a PALS Hands-on Session with an AHA PALS Instructor. Students must successfully complete both the online portion and the hands-on session to receive a PALS Provider course completion card (print or eCard). This course does not apply to the Associate Degree.
Lecture Hours: 3.0; Lab Hours: 9.0
Transfer: Not transferable
The Bleeding Control Basic (BCon) Course v. 2.0 is designed for individuals who have little or no medical training but who may be called upon as immediate responders to provide initial trauma care and bleeding control to a victim of traumatic injury prior to the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS) or in an austere environment. This course does not apply to the Associate Degree.
Lecture Hours: 1.0; Lab Hours: 2.0
Transfer: Not transferable
NAEMT's Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) is recognized around the world as the leading continuing education program for prehospital emergency trauma care. The mission of PHTLS is to promote excellence in trauma patient management by all providers involved in the delivery of prehospital care. PHTLS is developed by NAEMT in cooperation with the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma. The Committee provides the medical direction and content oversight for the PHTLS program. PHTLS courses improve the quality of trauma care and decrease mortality. The program is based on a philosophy stressing the treatment of the multi-system trauma patient as a unique entity with specific needs. PHTLS promotes critical thinking as the foundation for providing quality care. It is based on the belief that, given a good fund of knowledge and key principles, EMS practitioners are capable of making reasoned decisions regarding patient care. The course utilizes the internationally recognized PHTLS textbook. This course does not apply to the Associate Degree.
Lecture Hours: 12.0
Transfer: Not transferable
NAEMT's Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) is recognized around the world as the leading continuing education program for prehospital emergency trauma care. The mission of PHTLS is to promote excellence in trauma patient management by all providers involved in the delivery of prehospital care. PHTLS is developed by NAEMT in cooperation with the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma. The Committee provides the medical direction and content oversight for the PHTLS program. PHTLS courses improve the quality of trauma care and decrease mortality. The program is based on a philosophy stressing the treatment of the multi-system trauma patient as a unique entity with specific needs. PHTLS promotes critical thinking as the foundation for providing quality care. It is based on the belief that, given a good fund of knowledge and key principles, EMS practitioners are capable of making reasoned decisions regarding patient care. The course utilizes the internationally recognized PHTLS textbook. This course does not apply to the Associate Degree.
Lecture Hours: 3.0; Lab Hours: 9.0
Transfer: Not transferable
The Handtevy Pre-Hospital Pediatric Provider Course is a 4-hour live lecture and hands-on course that focuses on the skills needed to rapidly and accurately treat the sick and injured pediatric patient. The course uses the basic tenets of ACLS training as the foundation while still covering the basic pediatric ALS principles and nuances. The course and is intended to be used with the Handtevy Pediatric System. Provider candidates who successfully complete the Handtevy Pre-Hospital Pediatric Provider Course will receive a completion certificate (print or e-Card), valid for two years. Provider candidates must actively participate in, practice and complete all clinical scenarios. Provider candidates must complete the Handtevy Course post-test with a minimum score of 84%.
Lecture Hours: 0.3; Lab Hours: 3.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This entry-level course is designed for the student interested in a career in the emergency communications field. Areas of study will include telecommunication centers, dispatching, use of 911 computer systems, participation in emergency scenarios, and call processing. The appropriate use of technology and industry-standard equipment is an integral part of this course.
Lecture Hours: 45.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course provides training in basic emergency care skills, including patient assessment, CPR, automated external defibrillation, use of definitive airway adjuncts, splinting, and control of bleeding.
Lecture Hours: 36.0; Lab Hours: 27.0
Transfer: Not transferable
The Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) has been recognized as an essential component of effective EMS systems. Proper and timely training as well as a sound Medical Protocol are what help EMDs deliver quality care to the public with emergency medical needs.
Lecture Hours: 18.0
Transfer: Not transferable
The Emergency Fire Dispatcher (EFD), through the use of the FPDST, brings the science of structured call processing to the fire-rescue field. Completion of this course provides students with confidence to begin using the protocols even in the busiest of communication centers.
Lecture Hours: 18.0
Transfer: Not transferable
The PPDST brings the science of structured call processing to the world of law enforcement. Completion of this course provides students with confidence to begin using the online protocol in the busiest of communication centers.
Lecture Hours: 18.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course provides training in basic emergency care skills, including CPR, automated external defibrillation, use of definitive airway adjuncts, and assisting patients with certain medications. Approved by the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency. All students must be eighteen (18)years of age, have acurrent TB test, and have CPR training equivalant to the AHA Healthcare Provider Level (Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 2, Section 100066 b2 California Code of Regulations) prior to first day of class due to current Clinical/Field internship affiliation agreements.
Recommended Preparation: EMS 50
Lecture Hours: 135.0; Lab Hours: 108.0
Transfer: Not transferable
Thirty hour refresher course required for renewal of EMT I certificate. New certificate of completion awarded. Course approved by the Inland County Emergency Medical Agency and adheres to California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 4. This course does not apply to the Associate Degree.
Lecture Hours: 9.0; Lab Hours: 9.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course provides training in basic emergency care skills, including CPR, automated external defibrillation, use of definitive airway adjuncts, and assisting patients with certain medications. Approved by the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency. All students must be eighteen (18)years of age, have acurrent TB test, and have CPR training equivalant to the AHA Healthcare Provider Level (Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 2, Section 100066 b2 California Code of Regulations) prior to first day of class due to current Clinical/Field internship affiliation agreements.
Lecture Hours: 9.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This is the lab portion of the thirty-hour refresher course required for renewal of EMT Basic certificate. This course must be taken with the Lecture course EMS 061A in order for a new certificate of completion will be awarded. This course is approved by the Inland County Emergency Medical Agency and adheres to the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 4.
Lab Hours: 27.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course is established for optional skills lab practice as needed for paramedic students.
Lab Hours: 27.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This is the introductory course of the paramedic program. This course includes basic anatomy, physiology and medical terminology for the paramedic.
Prerequisite(s): Application and acceptance into Paramedic Academy; and EMS 60, Minimum grade C, or an EMT card equivalent
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lab Hours: 27.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course covers roles and responsibilities of the EMT-P. It also includes the Emergency Medical Services System, EMS communication and leadership as it relates to the EMT-P.
Prerequisite(s): Application and acceptance into the Paramedic Academy, and EMS 60, Minimum grade C, or current CA EMT license or NREMT Basic Certification
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lab Hours: 27.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course covers the cardiovascular system and includes anatomy and physiology of the heart, and application and interpretation of EKGs.
Prerequisite(s): (Application and acceptance into the Paramedic Academy and successful completion of EMS 80) and (EMS 81, Minimum grade C)
Lecture Hours: 63.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course will cover the general principles of Pharmacology including calculations and administration of various medications.
Prerequisite(s): (Application and acceptance into the Paramedic Academy and successful completion of EMS 80) and (EMS 81)
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lab Hours: 27.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course covers the theoretical and scientific background of emergency medical care in the prehospital setting to include patient assessment, trauma and medical emergencies, and skills practice in the lab.
Prerequisite(s): (Application and acceptance to the Paramedic Academy, and Successful completion of EMS 80) and (EMS 81) and (EMS 82) and (EMS 83)
Lecture Hours: 144.0; Lab Hours: 108.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course will provide the student with advanced 12 Lead ECG interpretation techniques. This will further advance the training for Emergency Medical Services professionals. Basic 12 Lead ECG prior is recommended.
Lecture Hours: 9.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course is the first part of the student's internship as part of the Paramedic Program. This includes 176 hours at an acute care facility performing Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency Skills.
Prerequisite(s): Application and acceptance into the Paramedic Academy, and Successful completion of EMS 84
Lab Hours: 216.0
Transfer: Not transferable
This course is the field internship portion of the Paramedic Program. Students will spend 600 hours in the field with a transport service performing Emergency Medical Technician skills.
Prerequisite(s): Application and acceptance into the Paramedic Academy and successful completion of EMS 85
Lecture Hours: 12.94; Lab Hours: 621.0
Transfer: Not transferable