Automobile accident injuries, heart attacks, near drownings, unscheduled childbirths, poisonings, and gunshot wounds all demand urgent medical attention. Emergency medical technicians (EMT's) give immediate care and then transport the sick or injured to medical facilities. Following instructions from a dispatcher, EMT's-who usually work in teams of two-drive specially equipped vehicles to the scene of emergencies. If necessary, they request additional help from police or fire department personnel. They determine the nature and extent of the patient's injuries or illness while also trying to determine whether the patient has epilepsy, diabetes, or other preexisting medical conditions. EMT's then give appropriate emergency care following strict guidelines for which procedures they may perform. All EMT's have a skill set to include but not limited to managing airways, restore breathing, control bleeding, treat for shock, administer oxygen, administer medications, immobilize fractures, bandage wounds, assist in childbirth, manage emotionally disturbed patients, treat and assist heart attack victims and give initial care to poison and burn victims.

Academic Prerequisites for the EMS Program

EMT-B: Acceptance to Blinn College
College Ready on all levels of the THEA or alternative test
CPR for the Healthcare provider or equivalent (prior to starting clinical rotations)
Current on all immunizations to include Hep B prior to starting clinical rotations.