What can I do with this?
The Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
- Trains students in emergency medical technology.
- Prepares students for an entry level position in diverse health-related and safety-related fields.
You can use this to:
- Enhance career opportunities in:
- Private Ambulance
- Fire Fighting
- Security Officer
- Safety Officer
- Law Enforcement
Employment of EMTs and paramedics is expected to grow by 33 percent from 2010 to 2020. There will continue to be demand for part-time, volunteer EMTs and paramedics in rural areas and smaller metropolitan areas.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, EMTs and Paramedics
What will I learn?
- To identify the correct sequence of assessments and treatments for patients experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest.
- To identify the etiology, pathophysiology and signs and symptoms of disorders of all body systems.
- To identify critical medical patient conditions using standardized medical patient assessments.
- To identify critical traumatic patient conditions using standardized trauma patient assessments.
- To demonstrate leadership during the management of critical patient conditions.
- To demonstrate the ability to utilize resources to resolve medical and trauma patient conditions.
Program Learning Outcome Assessments
The EMT program at Cerro Coso opened a door to a fulfilling career in health. It was challenging, but I have never been so engaged in class or eager to learn more.
—Jeffrey Gleason, Student
What courses do I take?
Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.
Complete all of the following courses:
10 hours lecture. This is a Healthcare Provider - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Course that meets the current American Heart Association standards. The course provides training in emergency treatment for life-threatening cardiopulmonary arrest, airway and breathing management, and foreign body obstructed airway for all age groups in a particular setting. This course also includes one and two rescuer CPR, use of barrier devices, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use and the prevention of disease transmission.
Advisory: ENGL C101, HCRS C150
162 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides instruction in pre-hospital techniques in the evaluation and emergency medical care through the recognition of signs and symptoms of illnesses and injuries. This course also includes instruction in the care rendered on scene and during transportation by EMT personnel. The student shall meet health requirements to participate in the clinical section of the course. Any expenses involved in meeting the health requirement are at the student’s expense. Failure to meet the health requirements results in student ineligibility for clinical objectives. Upon successful completion of the mandated course criteria the student receives a Certificate of Completion and this qualifies the student to apply and take the national exam for the Emergency Medical Technician, to ultimately qualify for application within the State of California to become certified. The student must provide a valid American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR/AED card to the instructor at the first class session to remain enrolled in this course.
Program Pathways
Official Catalog Copy
All classes needed for this certificate are available at the following campuses: Ridgecrest / IWV Bishop Mammoth Lakes Lake Isabella Tehachapi
See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.
How can I afford it?
This certificate requires 10.0 units and will likely take 1 semester.
Approximate Total Costs
CA Residents
10.0 units
at $46 per unit
Equals $460 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $310* for books and supplies
Total cost $770 for 1 semester
Non-residents
10.0 units
at $329 per unit
Equals $3,290 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $310* for books and supplies
Total cost $3,600 for 1 semester
*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.
Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.
