EMS as a Career

Matthew Scott, BS, MICP

Director

Virtua School of Paramedic Sciences

What is EMS?

• Emergency Medical Services

Star Of Life

DETECTION

REPORTING

RESPONSE

CARE ON SCENE

CARE IN TRANSIT

TRANSFER OF CARE

History of EMS

• Napoleon Bonaparte started the first ambulance corps to get wounded soldiers to hospitals.

• Surgeons in the American Civil War developed the concept of rapid care for the wounded.

History of EMS

History of EMS

• 1881 Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.– “Treat them where they lie.”

• In World War II combat medics refined the practice of treating wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

History of EMS

• The Korean and Viet Nam wars created the practice of air evacuation.

History of EMS

History of EMS

• 1966 White Paper – Accidental Death and Disability:

The Neglected Disease of Modern Society

• 1966 Highway Safety Act• National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration

• An unorganized EMS system existed in the USA.

History of EMS

History of EMS

• Now EMS is a complex and integrated system of basic life support, advanced life support, transportation, and hospital resources that serve the citizens of and visitors to New Jersey

Basic Life Support

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

• Staff ambulances in towns and provide most EMS care

Basic Life Support

• EMT certification – Ambulance operations– Airway control and artificial breathing– Extrication and transport– Bleeding control– Bandaging and splinting– Emergency childbirth– Defibrillation

Basic Life Support

• EMT certification– 245 hour course– Six (6) college credits– NJ state EMT certification

Basic Life Support

Advanced Life Support

• Paramedic certification – Advanced airway control– Pharmacology– EKG – Advanced skills and procedures– Critical thinking

Advanced Life Support

• Paramedic certification – Two years– Associate’s degree or certificate of

accomplishment– NJ State Paramedic Certification

Advanced Life Support

Paramedic Program

• 1500 hours of instruction that includes classroom, in-hospital and field experience.

EMS as a Career

• EMT – One semester = employment

• Paramedic – Career ladder into education, management or other health disciplines

• US Dept. of Labor projects EMS as growing FASTER than other similar educationally required careers

Qualifications – EMT

• Must be at least 16 years of age (with parental permission);

• Hold a current American Heart Association, American Red Cross or National Safety Council CPR certification; and

• Be able to read and write English

How Do I Get Started – EMT?

• Apply online to Camden County College, http://www.camdencc.edu

• Register for EMT-101– 6 college credits for successful completion

• NJ EMT certification test

• In the Spring and Fall semesters we offer a a part time evening program at the Blackwood campus.

• In the Spring and Fall semesters we offer a a part time hybrid program at the Blackwood campus.

• In the Summer we offer an accelerated daytime program at the Blackwood campus.

EMT Program

EMT Program

• Part Time Evening Program– Class meets three evenings per week, plus

every Saturday day.– Includes in-classroom didactic lectures and

hands-on skill instruction.

• Part Time Hybrid Program– Replaces weekday evenings with online

lessons.– Saturday hands-on skill instruction.

Qualifications – Paramedic

• Must be at least 18 years of age;• Possess a NJ, NY or PA certification as an

EMT;• Hold a current American Heart Association,

American Red Cross or National Safety Council CPR certification; and

• Obtain sponsorship from a New Jersey Mobile Intensive Paramedic program.

Contact Us

Virtua School of Paramedic Sciences

(856)374-5078

paramedic@camdencc.edu

Thank you

and

be safe!!