Jun 22, 2023 | Inspiring Success , Student Success , Featured , Health Sciences

Columbia State Pins New Emergency Medical Services Grads

Columbia State Community College recently recognized 7 emergency medical technicians and 23 advanced emergency medical technicians upon completion of their programs during the Spring 2023 EMS Pinning ceremony held in the Webster Athletic Center.

“These students exemplify excellence in emergency care and are to be commended for the hard work they put into these programs,” said Greg Johnson, Columbia State EMS Academy program director. “Each will become valuable assets as emergency responders in the communities to which they will serve. Columbia State’s EMS Academy faculty continue to produce exceptionally qualified clinicians and set the bar for credentialing exam success.”

Spring 2023 EMT completers achieved an 100% first-attempt pass rate for the national registry. Students in the integrated certificate received a 100% first-attempt pass rate on the EMT national registry and a 83% first-attempt pass rate on the Advanced EMT registry. The success of these students is phenomenal when compared to a national average first-attempt pass rate of 59-68% across the same time period.

An EMT provides basic life support at the site of illnesses and injuries, assisting with transport to the hospital. The Advanced EMT provides basic and advanced life support at sites of illnesses and injuries through transport to the hospital.

The accelerated AEMT path is an academy-style, technical certificate program designed to educate and train students to serve as vital members of a pre-hospital EMS team in a single semester. Students must complete 144 hours of clinical rotations to earn a technical certificate in AAEMT.

EMT certificate completers also have the option to pursue the General Technology Associate of Applied Science degree by combining coursework from two certificates with general education courses to complete a personalized degree program.

“Successfully completing Columbia State’s program signifies confidence in the ability to provide exceptional pre-hospital care,” said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences Division. “These new EMTs have bright futures with jobs to choose from and options for career advancement!”

The program provides students with the necessary didactic and practical training to perform life-saving skills. Additionally, students learn to work alone, as well as in a squad-based (team) environment.

For more information about the EMS program, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/EMS or contact Johnson at 931.540.2792.