Emergency Medical Technician

Emergency Medical Technician

The Emergency Medical Services program is accredited by the Florida Department of Health, www.floridahealth.gov/ .  Graduates of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program are eligible to apply for the state examination and the national board examination.

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT):

This is the beginning level in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) career ladder.  EMTs are trained in basic life support measures including patient assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillation (AED), oxygen therapy, shock prevention, bandaging, splinting, spinal immobilization, and vehicle extrication.

Requirements after Conditional Acceptance into the EMT Program:

1. Receive a satisfactory criminal background check before final acceptance is granted into the program. The background check will be scheduled and performed at the GCSC Criminal Justice Selection Center at the students’ expense.

2. Receive a satisfactory 10- panel urine drug screen before final acceptance is granted into the program. The drug screen will be scheduled by the Public Safety Division at the students’ expense.

3. Submit a copy of your current valid Basic Life Support CPR certification. Your certification must be maintained throughout your enrollment in the program. American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Providers  or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers will only be accepted.

4. Submit the completed GCSC Physical Examination form with satisfactory results signed by a physician.

5. Submit the completed GCSC Immunization form with satisfactory results signed by a physician.

6. Submit proof of current (less than a year old) TB skin test, TB blood test, or current chest x-ray report.

7. Attend mandatory Allied Health Orientation courses. Registration and payment completed online through Continuing Education (dates will be in the conditional acceptance packet).

8. Program uniforms, learning materials and specific equipment information will be included in the conditional acceptance packet.

Student Selection Process:

Students applying for the EMT program must be 18 years of age before the EMT program starts.

The EMT program has selective admission, with limited enrollment.  The requirements listed above are minimum requirements, satisfaction of the minimum requirements or admission into Gulf Coast State College does not imply acceptance into the EMT program. 

Graduating EMT students who want to be considered for the Paramedic Program must:

• Pass the EMT coursework on the first attempt achieving a “B” grade in EMS1119, EMS1401, EMS1334 and EMS1555 or equivalent coursework**

• Have State of Florida EMT certification

• Have 6 months of work experience or completed EMS2439 Advanced Clinical Internship before the Paramedic application deadline

**Those students passing with a “C” grade in any EMT course should have 1 year of full-time work experience or 2 years part-time at an ALS transport service before applying and a positive recommendation letter from an immediate supervisor.