EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Orientation
Student Success
NOTE…..
• Completion certificates will NOT be accepted if they are
more than 3 months old when your class starts.
• Purpose – to ensure your session is completed right
before class begins so program information is fresh.
NOTE
• ALL information about the program
can be found on the website:
• Emsacademy.hccs.edu
BASIC COURSE – 256 HOURS
• Classes offered at NE campus and Katy Campus
• NE campus
• Day course – meets M / T / TH – 8a - 4p
• Night course – meets M / T / TH – 6p – 10p
• Night course will include some Saturdays - 8a – 4p
• Hybrid course – meets Saturday – 9a – 4p
• Hybrid coursework is done on-line during the week – you will
meet on Saturdays for skills and testing
BASIC CLASSES
• Katy campus
• Day class – meets T / TH – 8a – 4p (fall / spring semesters)
• Day class – meets T / TH / F – 8a – 4p (summer semester)
• Night class – meets M / T / TH – 6p – 10p
BASIC EMT - COURSEWORK
– Classroom – EMSP 1501 - lecture and skills –176 hours –
• You will take 5 major exams before your final exam
– For you to stay in your course your major exam average (after 4 th
exam) has to be 70%
– If it is less than 70% you will be dismissed from the program
– Other items needed for you to successfully complete your course:
– Score a 75% on your final exam
– Have a 75% overall average when all grades are calculated
– Pass all the skills you will be “tested” on
BASIC EMT - COURSEWORK
– Clinical rotations – EMSP 1160 - 64 hours –The course will
consist of:
• 1 - 8 hour – ER rotation
• 4 – 12 hour ambulance rotations
– Rotations are done over a 2 week period – all days of the week are fair
game
– You will supply our clinical coordinator with calendar of your available
dates over the 2 weeks (5 or more days will be needed) so a schedule
for rotations can be created.
ADVANCED - EMT (AEMT) – 400 HOURS
• Completion of the EMT-Basic coursework is a prerequisite
• Classes are offered at the:
• NE campus
• Night class – meets M / T / TH – 6p – 10p
• Night class will include some Saturdays
• Hybrid – meets Saturday – 9a – 4p
• Hybrid coursework is done on-line during the week – you will meet
on Saturdays for skills and testing
• Katy campus - Day class – meets M / T / F – 8a – 5p
AEMT COURSEWORK
• Classroom / clinical courses
• 3 classroom courses – 256 hours
• EMSP 1338, 1356, 1355
• Quizzes / Final Exam with each course
• 1 clinical course – 144 hours
• EMSP 1263
PARAMEDIC COURSE – 944 HOURS
• AEMT coursework is a prerequisite
• Classes offered at the NE campus
• Day class – Fall semester – meets T / TH – 8a – 5p
• Day class – Spring semester – meets M / W – 8a – 5p
PARAMEDIC COURSEWORK
• Classroom / clinical courses
• 6 classroom courses - 560 hours
• EMSP 2348, 2444, 2434, 2430, 2338, 2243
• Quizzes / Final Exam with each course
• 3 clinical courses – 384 hours
• EMSP 2260, 2261, 2262
INFORMATION
• If you are not currently a student at HCCS
• Go to hccs.edu – click on future student – follow
admissions steps to become a student
INFORMATION
• Courses are capped at 20 – 25 people
• Requirements to get into the program can be found on
website
• emsacademy.hccs.edu
• Click on the Admissions link for information
INFORMATION
• You must meet with a Counselor, prior to registration, so they can clear
your TSI information (Texas Success Initiative) – Reading requirement
• If you attended college somewhere other than HCC take your
transcripts with you
• If you have NOT attended college you will need to take the Compass
test – Reading / Math / Writing evaluation
• Your reading score needs to show us you read at a college level
• Counselor will give you the information needed to get this test done
• If you have not been in school for a while it would be wise for you to use
the following site to prepare for the Compass test:
• hccs.edu/hcc_prep
INFORMATION
• No matter what your educational status - a copy of your
High School transcript or diploma is required
• This is a Department of State Health Services
requirement – not HCC
• 4 items needed to register –
• Obtain counselor – TSI – clearance
• Hepatitis B – shot #1
• Meningitis shot – 30 years old or less
• Copy of Background check receipt – obtain by:
• Going to www.precheck.com – click on Student (box at
top of page) – click on Student Self-help Page – click
on click here under #1
• Once you pay for the background check a receipt will be
emailed to you – you need this document to register
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
• The rest of the documents you will need to complete
the program
• Can be found on the website (emsacademy.hccs.edu)
• Listed under the Admission link
QUESTIONS – TO ANSWER TO MOVE ON
• Information on requirements needed to register can be found on our
website – emsacademy.hcc.edu – under the EMS course link.
• A. True
B. False
• You need to meet with an HCC counselor ONLY so he / she can clear
your TSI (reading) requirement.
• A. True
B. False
• The program does need a copy of your HS diploma or transcripts
• A. True
B. False
BOOK INFORMATION
• Book / workbook you will need can be found on our website emsacademy.hccs.edu
• Click on EMS courses – click on EMS textbook
• Click on hot link to get on to publisher’s site to buy book /
workbook / course navigate code
• There will be a limited number of books at the
• Katy campus – 1550 Foxlake Dr. (I-10 W @ Fry Rd.)
• If you purchase at this location be sure to ask for the
Navigate course code (kept with cashier)
EMS BOOKS
• If you do NOT buy your book / workbook on our website OR if you buy an
eBook
• You will have to buy a Navigate course code
• It will cost you - $40 (+) dollars
• It has to be bought from the publisher
• If you buy an e-Book / workbook you need bring the device you are going
to view these on to class day 1
• So Program Director / Instructor can see you have a book and
workbook
CODE OF CONDUCT – HIGHLIGHTS
• Must wear full uniform to class everyday
• Lab jacket will be needed for your clinical course
• You do not need to wear the lab jacket to class
everyday
• Pants will be worn at your natural waist – your belly button
• SAGGING will NOT be tolerated.
• NO jeans or skinny pants or low riding pants
CODE OF CONDUCT - HIGHLIGHTS
• Fire students – uniform needs –
• EMS patch on Left shoulder
• EMS blue T shirt
• EMS ID badge
• Lab jacket
• ALL students need stethoscope and goggles
• goggles need to be clear (not tinted)
CODE OF CONDUCT – HIGHLIGHTS
• The following are not allowed
• Visible body / tongue piercings
• Earrings / necklaces / bracelets
• Visible tattoos
• Facial hair
• Fingernails can’t extend more that ½ inch from fingertip
• No overlays or “false” nails allowed
CODE OF CONDUCT – HIGHLIGHTS
• If you need a jacket to stay warm it needs to be
• PLAIN black or navy blue – WITHOUT a hood
• A PLAIN long sleeve black or navy blue shirt can be worn under
HCC EMS T-shirt if needed for cold weather
• You need to read rest of the code of conduct on our website so
you are prepared for what is expected when your course begins
QUESTIONS – TO ANSWER TO MOVE ON
• 2 places to obtain the book and workbook are:
• A. online through emsacademy.hccs.edu
• B. any online site
• C. Katy campus
• D. both A and C
• You must wear your complete uniform to class everyday
• A. true
B. false
QUESTIONS – TO ANSWER TO MOVE ON
• Sagging, jeans, skinny pants, low riding pants will NOT be
tolerated
• A. True
B. False
• Which of the following is allowed?
• A. facial hair
• B. visible tattoos
• C. jewelry
• D. well groomed hair
QUESTIONS – TO ANSWER TO MOVE ON
• Jackets need to be black or navy blue, plain, and without a hood
• A. True
B. False
YOU MUST BE IN CLASS ON DAY 1
YOU MUST BE ON TIME
YOU CANNOT MISS ANY OF THIS DAY
INFORMATION
• Missed time – CANNOT BE DAY 1
– You can miss 10% of the course hours – however – you will be
assigned course work to keep your seat in the class
• Course work for missed lecture (class) time
– At the beginning of each chapter there are Knowledge Objectives –
you will answer all the objectives, in detail, and turn in the work the
next class meeting
• If absent on a skills day or you miss time during this day
– You will meet, on your time, with a skills instructor and pay $30.00 /
hour to fulfill the time missed.
• Missed time is counted hour-by-hour - once you miss time you do not get
it back
INFORMATION
• Missed clinical time
– 1st absence = your clinical grade drops by a letter
– 2nd absence = you will not continue your rotations and receive an F
for the course
– If you miss your ER rotation
• If there is not a slot available to place you in to you will pay a
preceptor $30.00 / hour to do the rotation so you can complete the
program
– If this is your 2nd miss you will be removed from the
program prior to this “make-up”
• Missed time Policy is not to punish – it is to deter you from missing time
QUESTIONS – TO ANSWER TO MOVE ON
• It is ok for you to miss day 1 of class
• A. True
B. False
• You can miss up to ______ of the class hours
• A. 10%
• B. 20%
• C. 30%
• D. 40%
QUESTIONS – TO ANSWER TO MOVE ON
• If you miss skills time you will have to pay $30.00 / hour to
complete the hours missed.
• A. True
B. False
• Missed time is counted hour-by-hour you will not be able to get
the time back.
• A. True
B. False
• If you miss 2 clinical days you will fail the clinical course.
• A. True
B. False
STUDENT SUCCESS INFORMATION
OBSTACLES / RESPONSIBILITIES
• Students usually fail because they are overwhelmed
• These class are NOT like normal academic courses
• You will need to study and prepare to be successful
• Your life needs to revolve around the program
• The program is not going to revolve around your life
• We move forward through the coursework – there is no time to go
back and repeat things you missed if you are absent or not
prepared
• To be successful in the program you need to
• Make contingency plans on how to handle your life away from the
program
OBSTACLES / RESPONSIBILITIES
• Here are examples of items that may get in your way and keep you from
studying and preparing for coursework:
• Child care / Job / transportation / family / money / time / spouse
• You may need some help with above items so you can put the time into
coursework needed to be successful
• Once you find some “help” line up a back-up so if something happens
with #1 you have a person to fall back on.
OBSTACLES / RESPONSIBILITIES
• As you continue your training in EMS
• Semester by semester the time you will need help can change
so meet with your back-up who is helping you
• The planning session allows your helper to understand when
you will need them
• Those who are helping you need to plan their lives and help
you – you getting with them will keep them from becoming
overwhelmed
OBSTACLES / RESPONSIBILITIES
• When you get down time (Spring break) you need to
take back your responsibilities so your “helper” gets
some down time (time off)
• When someone is helping you need to work hard to be
successful
• If you fail because you have not been applying
yourself your back-up will not be there to help you if
you want to try again.
EMS EDUCATION
• The curriculum is cumulative – meaning:
• What you learn on day 1 will be information you could
see on all tests you take
• You MUST learn this information so you can retain it as you
will use the knowledge throughout your career
– There is no extra credit given and no curving of grades
READING TO LEARN
• You MUST read the book to be successful
• The BEST thing you can do to prepare is:
• Read your chapters before you come to class
• As you read take notes on information you need help with
• This allows you to ask questions in class so your instructor can
explain and clarify the information. This will allow you to
understand and learn.
• Lectures can’t cover everything in each chapter but
• All information in the book is fair game for course tests and National
Registry certifying exam so you have to read cover to cover.
READING TO LEARN
• The Textbook has all information needed to be
successful
• Does you no good if it is not opened
• Bottom line…..If you don’t read the book
• Chance of completion are slim
• With that said….
If you don’t have your Book and
Workbook on day 1 of class
You will be DROPPED from the
course
The Book and Workbook need to
be NEW
• You have got to carve out time to study and prepare
everyday
• As stated earlier the curriculum is cumulative so you need
to study the same way
• You can’t learn all this “new” information overnight or in 1
weekend
• When it is study time - Learn to say “no”
• You can’t be everything to everyone
• Everyone needs to buy into your educational endeavors
and give you the time to study and prepare
LISTENING SKILLS
• Listening is one of the MOST important skills of a successful health care
professional
• Leave your mental baggage at the door – come in ready to learn
• Ensure you can hear the instructor
– No talking during lecture – pay attention during skills
• Concentrate on the content of lecture
– Not how it is delivered
– You can’t pick your instructor (or future boss)
• Reel in your wandering mind
– Have a piece of paper available so you can write down “to-do’s”
you need to take care of when you leave class
– This allows you to mentally stay with instructor
NOTE TAKING
• Another important skill
• To do it right you need to combine the:
– Art of listening
• You have to listen to obtain explanations
• If trying to write everything the instructor says you will miss ½ of
what is said
– Act of selective writing
– This can happen if you come to class prepared – you read the
chapters and have your notes on questions you need answered
– You can then selectively write what you need – you will not be
trying to write everything instructor is saying
NOTES
• Review them as soon as possible after class
• Editing and rewriting notes increases your learning
• Don’t wait more than 24 hours to do this
• Average person forgets ½ of what was said
• Place all handouts with notes for the days lectures together
• Keep in order and accessible so you can review them as needed
• Remember this is a cumulative curriculum
• Memory paths are created and maintained by repeated use
• Reading / note taking / active listening
INSTRUCTORS
• Their job is NOT to be your “friend”
• It is to prepare you to become an Entry-level medic
• They are preparing you to take care of someone’s life NOT to do
harm because you are not prepared
• They all take their job seriously
• They expect you to do the same
• Our motto is - 80% on you / 20% on us
• To do your 80% you need to come to class prepared and study for
exams
EQUIPMENT
• Used to prepare you for your profession
• Most is very costly
• If you damage or abuse it
• You WILL be dropped from the program
• Best practice
• If the instructor takes a break you take a break so you are not tempted
to do something you should not with the equipment
TESTS
• In medicine you are tested constantly
• Tests are a fact of life
• Classroom tests can provide you with opportunities to
increase your learning
• Tests:
• Encourage students to study
• Teach you to work under pressure
• So you can work calmly and efficiently when it counts
TESTS
• They ID what you know and don’t know
• Can mark your progress toward achieving your goal
• Learn from your mistakes – if you don’t understand why
you missed a concept
• Get the explanation from instructor so you can understand or
you will always miss future questions on the subject
TEST TAKING
• You need to get online and take your quizzes
• Your quizzes will be opened on-line for a period of time then
they shut off
• Once off they will not be turned back on
• Remember you must have a 75% overall average
• Not taking quizzes could cause you to fail the program
CHEATING
• Don’t cheat
• You will become a dangerous practitioner
• It undermines integrity
• You don’t learn
• If caught you will be dropped from the program
QUESTIONS – TO ANSWER TO MOVE ON
• If you do not prepare and study extra credit or curving of grades
will occur so you can pass the program
• A. True
B. False
• Reading before your come to class and writing questions to get
answers once in class is the best path to success.
• A. True
B. False
• On day 1 of class you need a new book and workbook
• A. True
B. False
QUESTIONS – TO ANSWER TO MOVE ON
• The most important skill in a health care profession is:
• A. Reading
• B. Writing
• C. Listening
• D. Talking
• If you try to write everything an instructor says you will miss
• A. ¼ of what is said
• B. ½ of what is said
• C. ¾ of what is said
• D. all of what is said
QUESTIONS – TO ANSWER TO MOVE ON
• Coming to class prepared allows you to actively listen and
selectively write which enables you to take good notes.
• A. True
B. False
• If you mistreat and damage or break the equipment you will be
dismissed from the program
• A. True
B. False
• If you cheat the program will forgive you and let you complete
your coursework
• A. True
B. False
IN-CLASS RELATIONSHIPS
• These are NOT encouraged
• Problems occur if the relationship ends
• Review Code of Conduct on this matter
• You are in class to STUDY and obtain a certification
OTHER COSTS
• National Registry Exam
• Basic - $70.00 – is part of your clinical payment
• Advanced – EMT-I $100.00 / Paramedic - $110.00 – you
need to pay for this
• Finger printing
• $45.00 – EMT-Basics – you need to pay for this
• DSHS (Dept. of State Health Services) application – You pay
• $64.00 (Basic) / $96.00 / $126.00 (LP) - (Advanced)
• Finger printing and DSHS fees will be discussed in class
FIRST DAY OF CLASS
• You need:
• New book and workbook
• Full uniform
• Uniform shirt – HCC T-shirt – black pants – right belt –
black socks (uniform) – black boots – ID badge
• Code of conduct compliance
• One more slide →
DURING CLASS
• Picture may be taken by instructors during class
• If you have a problem with this let us know