FAQs

What is the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?
The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services recognizes four levels of pre-hospital care certification: Medical Responder (MR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I), and EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P). The EMT is a basic life support care provider; EMT is the minimum certification level you need to work on an ambulance. The EMT course is 175-200 hours in the classroom and lab. The EMT-Paramedic is an advanced life support care provider. The areas of patient care education and training are the same; the depth of the education and the number of skills that may be performed are much greater. The number of contact hours required to complete paramedic education and training is 8-10 times as much as that of the EMT. Students in the EMS program currently devote at least 1900 contact hours, including clinical time, to completing the requirements.

What are the requirements for starting the EMS program?
To enter the program, you must be a high school graduate or have a GED. You must take the COMPASS placement tests and score a minimum of 81 in Reading, 70 in Writing, and 47 in Pre-Algebra. Students who do not earn these scores will have to be successful in any developmental education courses that satisfy these placement levels before they can apply for entry into the EMS program. The Assessment Center can tell you if other placement test scores can be substituted for the GTCC placement tests.

Are there any requirements beyond those to enter the college?
There are no additional requirements to enter, but there are additional requirements to complete the program. The paramedic program has required hospital and field internship courses. The clinical sites require a physical exam and up-to-date immunization records, background checks and drug testing. Field internship sites require that you have earned the North Carolina EMT certification; you must have a valid NC driver's license to be an EMT.

What are the physical requirements for being an EMT or paramedic?
A 1999 Workplace Analysis published by the Department of Transportation says that an EMT working on an ambulance should be able to work long hours (12 to 24 hour shifts), have good motor skills and coordination, and be able to lift 125 lbs (250 lbs with assistance). Good vision and hearing are required for many tasks that paramedics do every day.

Is the EMS program a degree program or a certificate program?
The EMS program at GTCC is a degree program. In addition to the core EMS courses (those with an "EMS" prefix in the course number), students must complete a minimum of nineteen credit hours in general education courses; those courses are specified in the program of study published in the GTCC catalog. Graduates earn an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Emergency Medical Science.

How long is the EMS program?
If you enter in the Fall semester of 2010 or later and go full time, you can complete the program in five semesters-approximately 22 months. Because most of the courses are offered only once a year and must be taken in sequence, it is not possible to complete the program requirements in fewer than five semesters. Some students go part time for a portion of the program and complete the degree requirements in three years.

How often is the EMS program offered?
A new cohort starts each fall semester.

How many credits is the EMS program?
Completion of the program requires a minimum of 69 credit hours.

How much does the EMS program cost?
The estimated cost of the five-semester EMS program is $7580. This estimate includes in-state tuition, fees, required books (purchased at the campus bookstore), minimum compliment of clinical uniforms (purchased through the campus bookstore), and the required background check and drug screen. The estimate also includes the entire list of vaccinations required for clinical attendance, assuming the student is not able to document his or her vaccination history and must repeat the vaccinations. The costs of the vaccinations are the "estimated retail cost" posted on the Centers for Disease Control website.

Where is the EMS program offered?
All of the core courses are held at the Jamestown campus. Hospital clinical sessions are held at area hospitals in Greensboro and High Point. Field internship sessions are held at various EMS bases in several area counties.

How are EMS classes scheduled?
The classroom/lab classes on the Jamestown campus are scheduled 2-3 days a week. The times and days of the classes vary from semester to semester. Hospital clinical sessions are scheduled, on average, once a week. Field internship schedules are based on your preceptor's work schedule. A faculty member can explain this in more detail, if you like.

What are the hours of the classes?
Most of the classes are scheduled in 2-3 hour blocks. Some labs are scheduled in 4 hour blocks. Classroom/lab courses on the Jamestown campus are normally scheduled between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Can I work a full-time job while I am in school?
Since the weekly commitment to coursework is as much as five days a week, working a traditional full-time schedule is almost impossible. Many students work part-time jobs while in school. The thing to remember is: every student is expected to accomplish the same learning outcomes and meet the same schedule commitments, attendance, etc., regardless of their work situation.

Do paramedic students work on an ambulance while they are in school?
Each student rides an ambulance with a preceptor as part of their clinical experience and functions as part of the EMS crew. Students are not paid by the EMS system; their role is strictly defined as a student in an unpaid internship. This is a "learning lab" environment for the student. The preceptor serves as the student's advisor and coach. The student focuses on gaining skill and confidence in performing patient care and being a team leader in patient care decisions.

What kind of employment opportunities can I expect if I am successful in becoming a paramedic?
The Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) publishes an annual "Salary and Workplace Survey." In 2008, JEMS reported that, despite the fact that the number of credentialed paramedics in the U.S. has doubled in the last ten years, 52.8% of the EMS agencies surveyed reported a shortage of paramedics to fill existing positions. North Carolina has several growing metropolitan areas, most of which are experiencing shortages of EMS workers. (You can read the complete report in the "Careers" area of JEMS.com at http://www.jems.com.)

How much can I expect to get paid as a paramedic?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics quoted in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services 2008 "Salary and Workplace Survey" lists the national median salary for paramedics at $37,700, with a variability of over $10,000, depending on the area of the country. In general, metropolitan areas have higher salary ranges than rural areas.

If I still have questions, who can I call to get answers?
The Department Chair for Fire and EMS at GTCC is David Reeves. He can be reached at 336-334-4822 ext. 2289. The Curriculum Coordinator for EMS is Joseph Yow. He can be reached at 336-334-4822 ext. 2340. If you are interested in the EMT-Basic course only, you may also contact the Continuing Education Coordinator for EMS, San Juan Timmons at 336-334-4822 ext. 2759.

If I want to visit the school, how do I get there?
The Jamestown campus is located at 601 High Point Road, Jamestown, NC. The Public Safety Building, where most EMS classes are held, is located at the intersection of Bonner Drive and Delivery Drive. Because schedules vary, it is best to call and make an appointment to meet with someone.

Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure that the information about the EMS program is accurate and current. GTCC, the webpage author, and the authors of the answers assume no liability for errors or omissions. The reader is advised to consult a current GTCC catalog for information about admission and graduation policies and the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services for information about the certification requirements for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.