Emergency Medical Technician OVERVIEW: This intensive 3-course program includes lectures and hands-on practice of techniques taught: introduction to emergency care, bleeding and shock, soft tissue injuries, environmental emergencies, lifting and moving patients, emergency childbirth, and much, much more. At the end of the training, successful participants are qualified for the National Registry of EMT s examination. Courses are sequential and students must pass each course with a C (2.0 GPA) to be allowed to sit for the National Exam. Students who do not pass a course in the series will be halted from continuing in the program and not allowed to progress to the next course in the sequence. Students who fail the third and final course will not be allowed to sit for the NREMT exam. SCHEDULE: The program runs approx. three months, Tuesday and Thursday evenings and all day Saturdays. The program is offered twice a year. Students may not miss any mandatory skills labs and testing days. There are no scheduled make-up classes. Attendance is weighted heavily, and no more than 8 total cumulative absent hours is allowed for the entire program. Students are responsible for making up any course-work missed. There is no extra credit point given. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 1. 17 years of age prior to first day of the course (students must be 18 by end of program, however). 2. High school diploma or GED certificate (or copy of unofficial transcripts) 3. Current American Heart Association BLS Providers CPR card. An acceptable alternate BLS Provider CPR card is from the American Red Cross but students will be tested using America Heart standards during the program. 4. Current First Aid Card 5. 4-hour Infectious Disease Prevention for EMS Provider s class, or 7 hours HIV/AIDS education. 6. Current Driver s License 7. Verification of health insurance (personal or thru employer). 8. Basic 10-panel Urine Drug Test must be completed within 3 months of application deadline 9. 2-part Tuberculin Skin test within last 12 months 10. Proof of specified vaccinations (see list in application) 11. A passed National Background Check must be done within the 3 months of application deadline. A fee is required. To begin national background check required, please go to the website below: https://www.castlebranch.com/online_submission/package_code.php Enter package code: BD75bg (Background Check Only Package) 12. Physical strength adequate to perform the normal functions of an EMT, which includes the ability to lift and move up to 125 lbs.
13. Students must possess the aptitude and ability to perform critical thinking in the field. Students with poor reading comprehension may need to improve their abilities before taking the EMT Program. NOTE: for coursework required in numbers 3, 4 and 5, applications will be accepted as long as there is proof of enrollment that shows that the requirements will be fulfilled before the first class date. Applicants are required to update their application with completion verification as soon as coursework is successfully completed. Sponsorship: A. If affiliated/sponsored: Application with attachments and signature from affiliated organization, or B. If non-affiliated/sponsored: Application with attachments and signature for non-affiliated applicants. NOTE: Non-affiliated students have one year from the completion of the course to meet the affiliation requirement to be certified by the State of Washington. Affiliated status with a fire department or ambulance service must be attained before participants are eligible for State EMT Certification. Students must also submit BTC Placement test results or proof of previously attending college showing academic classes. Students must have access to a computer with high speed internet as many program components and testing are done online. APPLICATION AND ADMISSION PROCESS: The application material is included in this guide. All forms and attachments must be submitted with the application. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the application process has been closed, approved applicants will be notified first and given permission to register. Those who were not accepted shall be placed on the wait-list, and will be notified if a seat becomes available. Students who do not show up the first night of the program, shall be dropped and filled with students from the waitlist. Any remaining wait-list students shall be given priority for the next EMT Program. A Background Check is required for each applicant. Although the College may allow you to attend class if you have a record, you may be eliminated from state certification. If you have a record, contact the Washington State Department of Health at 800-458-5281 for more information. COSTS, VETERAN S AND FINANCIAL AID: The EMT program is NOT eligible for Financial Aid as it does not meet the federal criteria for funding. Military Veterans can use GI Bill education benefits. Please see the information on Veterans on the BTC website link: http://www.btc.edu/currentstudents/studentresources/veterans.aspx REQUIRED BOOKS, SUPPLIES AND CLASS COSTS: Class tuition fee approx. $1400.00 Textbook/Access Code Bundle: Approx. $200.00 Castle Branch/Certified Background: Approx. $60
BP Cuff, Stethoscope, Wristwatch: varies - $100 (Text and MyBrady Access Code is available at BTC Campus Store) REFUNDS: 100% refund if a student withdraws from a class through the fifth instructional day of the quarter. 50% refund if a student withdraws after the fifth instructional day through the 20th calendar day of the quarter. Classes with start and end dates other than the start and end of the quarter: Refunds for state-supported classes that start before or after the regular quarter begins will be processed in proportion to the tuition and fee refund percentages above. Refund deadlines may differ for classes with different start dates, including Washington Online classes and classes that start mid-quarter. If a student, due to poor academic performance, is exited from the program prior to the next course(s) in the sequence, 100% refund will be given for the course(s) not taken only. Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to be sponsored to attend the class? Sponsorship/affiliation is not required to take the class. However, sponsored/affiliated applicants have priority for registration. After priority registration, non-affiliated applicants are accepted in the order that completed applications are received. It is not unusual for the class to fill with participants from affiliating agencies. Do you usually have seats for non-sponsored people? The college has no way of knowing what hiring the fire districts are doing and the class may fill with fire district participants. We cannot assure you there will be space in the classes for non-affiliated participants. In general, there are some spots filled with those that are not affiliated. How do I get affiliated? "Affiliated/sponsored" means that you are working for or volunteering with a fire agency, Ambulance Company or an agency that has an affiliation number with the State of Washington. The college does not help with this and most agencies do not sponsor anyone who is not working or volunteering with them. We can make some suggestions, but it will be up to you to gain affiliation with an approved agency and follow their hiring requirements. How do I get into the class? An application with verification of high school completion, age 17 or older, current 1 st aid and CPR cards and infectious disease prevention training are required. Additional requirements for the clinical portion of the class include proof of medical insurance, basic urine drug test, Tuberculin PPD test within last 12 months, and a completed criminal disclosure questionnaire and notification of criminal background inquiry. Incomplete/incorrect applications will be returned without processing. The most common error is not taking the correct CPR training. Be certain you take one of the two classes listed on the EMS application. Complete applications are to be turned in directly to the H-1 continuing education office and not to BTC Admissions office. Do I get a job at the end of the training? The college does not help with job placement. Completion of the EMT course makes you more
marketable in the fire service, but we can only offer suggestions on how to get an EMS job as they vary from area to area. Do I take the State test at the end of the class? Students now take the NREMT exam as the State exam. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be given a voucher and directions on how/when you may take this exam. The cost of this exam is included in the cost of the program, and covers your first initial attempt. If, for any reason, you need to retake the NREMT exam, you will need to pay the retest exam fee. Can Running Start students take this class? No. The program has a requirement that participants must have a high school diploma and be at least 17 years of age by the first day of the first course in the program. Does Financial Aid cover the cost of this class? The program is generally not eligible for financial aid. Can I use my military benefits? Yes, using your military education benefits is allowed. You need to contact our Veteran s Affairs Coordinator by emailing veterans@btc.edu for details. Can I take other classes while enrolled in this class? Because of the required hours, the outside work and the homework, most participants will not be successful if they take additional classes. Therefore, other courses or time consuming activities should be carefully evaluated before applying for the EMT Program. Can I take classes if I have a record? A national background check is required on each applicant. Although the College may still allow you to attend class if you have a record, you may be eliminated from State certification for the same reason. If you have a record, contact the Washington State Department of Health at 1-800-458-5281 for more information. Where can I take the CPR and/or First Aid course? BTC offers BLS Provider CPR on a quarterly basis. American Heart BLS Provider (HO 127) is the required course. The best course to take that meets both the correct CPR and first aid component is: HLTH 154 Healthcare Provider CPR and First Aid. This is a 10-hour course split between 2 days. Do not take HLTH 155 First Aid Fundamentals as the CPR is the lower Heartsaver Level and will not meet CPR entrance requirements. If you have a current First Aid card, and just need the correct CPR, then look for HO 127 Healthcare Provider CPR.
APPLICATION MATERIALS Please use the application materials in this guide. Complete all items and include attachments as requested; applicants missing attachment(s) will be returned. The following are to be dropped off at Bellingham Technical College, Office H-1 in the H Building. ANY INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED: Photocopy of current Washington State Driver s license or other photo ID Proof of High School Graduation (copy of diploma, GED or high school transcripts) Current Healthcare Provider (American Heart Association) or Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross) CPR Card NO OTHER CERTIFICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED! Current first aid card Proof of completion of Infectious Disease Prevention for EMS Providers. If non-affiliated only a Copy of BTC Placement Exam Scores Students must be assessed with a Reading score of 70 Completed Background agreement form - Additional charge to Certified Background 10-panel urine drug test within last 3 months Two part Tuberculin PPD test within last 12 months National Background Check Results Current Medical Insurance Verification Proof of immunization or positive titer for the following: (SJH Contractual Requirement for all students) o Rubeola (two immunizations or positive titer) o Mumps (two immunizations or positive titer) o Rubella (one immunization or positive titer) o Varicella (two immunizations or positive titer) o One TDAP immunization o Annual Influenza immunization (to include location and date immunization was done) o Record of Hepatitis B vaccine series (or declination form available at BTC) Can be sent directly to: Bellingham Technical College Attn: Therese Williams, Office H-1 3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225-1599 (or fax to 360-752-7116) Accepted students will be notified of their status by mail approximately four (4) weeks prior to the beginning of the first course in the program and will receive instructions for registration. For this purpose, applicants are asked to keep address and phone numbers current. No one is admitted to the course without formal acceptance.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep up-to-date on any changes that may affect his/her qualifications for acceptance. AFFILIATION AND CERTIFICATION: In order to become a Washington State Certified EMT, students must successfully complete the EMT Program and provide a document of affiliation from an EMT provider agency. The course instructor will distribute and explain these forms during the first class meeting. Applicants who are not affiliated will be admitted and be able to complete the course and take the NREMT exam; however, an affiliation must be obtained within one year after completion in order to be certified by the State.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN TRAINING APPLICATION Completion of this application does not guarantee admission to the BTC EMT Training. Incomplete application will not be accepted. Submit all required attachments. Be certain to sign application. Successful applicants will be notified by mail and will receive permission to register. 1. APPLICANT INFORMATION: Please Print Name Soc. Sec # Address Birth date City Zip Email Phone # High School Graduate? Yes No GED Certificate? Yes No Physically able to do the work of an EMT? Yes No 2. AGENCY AFFILIATION: [not required for non-affiliated applicants; not required to apply for training.] Provide the following information for your affiliated emergency agency. NOTE: Participants who are not affiliated have one year from the completion of this course to meet the affiliation requirement to be certified by the State Of Washington. Agency/District Chief/Supervisor: Phone Mailing Address: Signature of Chief or Supervisor Submit application to: Bellingham Technical College Attn: Therese Williams/Office H-1 3028 Lindbergh Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
Photocopy/current Washington State Driver s License or other photo ID Photocopy/High school diploma or GED certification. Photocopy of current CPR card Photocopy of Current 1 st aid card Photocopy proof of completion of Infectious disease prevention for the EMS provider course. Non affiliated only copy of BTC placement test reading results (or proof of past of current attendance at a college or university) Photocopy of current health insurance Results of Basic 10-panel urine drug test Completed criminal disclosure agreement Completed National Background Check Evident of current Tuberculin PPD test within last 12 months Proof of immunization or positive titer for the following: (SJH Contractual Requirement for all students) o Rubeola (two immunizations or positive titer) o Mumps (two immunizations or positive titer) o Rubella (one immunization or positive titer) o Varicella (two immunizations or positive titer) o One TDAP immunization o Annual Influenza immunization (to include location and date immunization was done) o Record of Hepatitis B vaccine series (or declination form available at BTC)
APPLICANT NOTIFICATION CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK Pursuant to RCW 43.43.830-.842, employees and volunteers who provide service to developmentally disabled persons, vulnerable adults, and/or children under the age of 16, must successfully pass Washington State Patrol criminal history background checks as a condition for licensing or certification. You may be ineligible to pursue certification or licensure in your profession based on the results of the Washington State Patrol criminal history background checks. This is part of the National Background check you will be completing with Certified Background, once preliminary acceptance has been given. Further, students who are enrolled in an educational program that requires field work experience, clinical training, laboratory experience, or an externship wherein the student will be required to provide service to developmentally disabled persons, vulnerable adults and/or children under the age of 16, will be required to pass a national criminal history background checks prior to clearance for entry to that field work experience, clinical training, laboratory experience, or externship. Inability to participate due to information obtained from the national criminal history background check may result in a student s ineligibility to participate in the program. The information obtained will be reviewed. The clinical sites are particularly interested in physical crimes against persons, personal thefts or, in some cases, a history of drug related issues. The student will be notified immediately if problems are identified. Because certain convictions may prevent you from being eligible for certification/licensure in the profession, it is possible that you could be admitted to, and successfully complete, the program and still be denied certification/licensure. In addition, a criminal background report can create issues beyond program admission. These include: Eligibility for licensure upon completion of training: State authorities can usually provide guidelines only. Most applicants for licensure are evaluated on a case by case basis. (In other words, you may/will not receive a definite yes or no concerning your criminal background issues until after you have completed training and apply for your license or certificate.) Future employment opportunities: Completion of a health occupation program and licensure/certification by local agencies does not guarantee employability. Hiring facilities may still take previous background issues into consideration when choosing new employees and may conduct pre-employment background checks. If you have any questions or concerns about your ability to pass a Washington State Patrol criminal history background check, pursue your education, or practice in the profession, please make arrangements for a confidential appointment with the Program Dean, 360-752-8316. Bellingham Technical College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, genetic information, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. I have been notified by BELLINGHAM TECHNCIAL COLLEGE that I will be required to submit to a National Criminal History Background Checks prior to being allowed to enroll in the EMT Program.
I give permission to BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE to release the results of my National Criminal History Background Checks to the clinical sites to which I will be assigned if requested. SIGN AND DATE: Signature Date FILL OUT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION BELOW. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY. Last First M.I. Social Security or Student ID Number Date of Birth Gender: Male Female Past Names (Maiden) or aliases:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING HEALTHCARE INFORMATION In order to facilitate your entry into the clinical portion of the EMT Program at Bellingham Technical College, it is necessary that you be informed of the additional requirements of the program per clinical agreement with St. Joseph Hospital. Before you will accepted into the course and eligible to register, you must complete all of the following steps. 1. You must complete a urine test for prohibited substances. You will need to arrange to have a basic 10-panel urine drug test performed at any lab, clinic, or doctor s office. The test will cost approximately $45. If you have had one completed by your agency or employer within the 6 months, these results will be acceptable. Please make a valid photocopy and send directly to address below. The test specifically needs to screen for the following drugs: cocaine, marijuana, PCP, amphetamines, opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, propoxyphene, & Quaaludes. Test results must be sent by the agency directly* to: Bellingham Technical College ATTN: THERESE WILLIAMS OFFICE H-1 3028 Lindbergh Avenue Bellingham, WA 98225-1599 *In order for the institution to release your results you may be required to sign a release form provided by the clinic indicating the college contact: Therese Williams and the college program: EMT, BTC. 2. You must provide evidence of current Tuberculin PPD Test within the last 12 months. 3. You must provide evidence of current medical insurance (either thru personal means or through your EMS Agency) Evidence of insurance must show the expiration date of coverage The minimum insurance requirement is major medical coverage for catastrophic injury. Proof of selected immunizations (or positive titers) If you do not have insurance, Student Insurance plans cost approximately $45. Contact the Career Center at 360-752-8450 to request a pamphlet on Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan. YOU MAY SUBMIT ITEMS 2 and 3 BY HAND OR DELIVER BY MAIL TO: BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE, ATTN: THERESE WILLIAMS (SEE ADDRESS ABOVE) If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Therese Williams (Associate Dean) at (360) 752-8316, or the Office Coordinator at (360) 752-8447.