Columbia State Pins New Emergency Medical Services Grads
Columbia State Community College recently recognized 15 emergency medical technicians and 34 advanced emergency medical technicians upon completion of their programs during the Fall 2023 EMS Pinning ceremony held in the Webster Athletic Center.
“The Fall 2023 cohort represents a well-rounded, passionate group of clinicians, that will soon be joining their local EMS agencies to provide quality care to the residents they will serve,” said Greg Johnson, Columbia State EMS Academy program director. “The EMS Academy at Columbia State continues to produce high-quality, workforce-ready graduates for our communities.”
Fall 2023 EMT completers achieved an 100% first-attempt pass rate for the national registry. Students in the integrated certificate received a 97% first-attempt pass rate on the EMT national registry.
An EMT provides basic life support at the site of illnesses and injuries, assisting with transport to the hospital. The Advanced EMT provides basic and advanced life support at sites of illnesses and injuries through transport to the hospital.
The accelerated AEMT path is an academy-style, technical certificate program designed to educate and train students to serve as vital members of a pre-hospital EMS team in a single semester. Students must complete 144 hours of clinical rotations to earn a technical certificate in AAEMT.
EMT certificate completers also have the option to pursue the General Technology Associate of Applied Science degree by combining coursework from two certificates with general education courses to complete a personalized degree program.
“These completers have earned a credential in high demand which leads to economic independence,” said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences Division. “Congratulations and thank you, in advance, to these new EMTs and AEMTs who will serve patients and families at stressful times.”
The program provides students with the necessary didactic and practical training to perform life-saving skills. Additionally, students learn to work alone, as well as in a squad-based (team) environment.
For more information about the EMS program, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/EMS or contact Johnson at 931.540.2792.
View more photos from the event here.