Emergency Medical Services Program - Specific Policies

Admissions Requirements. Admission to Emergency Medical Services Certification Programs in Virginia is regulated by the Board of Health, Emergency Medical Services Regulation 12VAC5-31-900. The below listed requirements have been established.

Be a minimum of 18 years of age on the start date of the training program.
Be proficient in reading, writing and speaking the English language.
Hold a high school diploma, general equivalency diploma, or higher degree of education.
Hold current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician.
Hold current certification in an approved course in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
Be capable of performing all assigned duties. Have no defect, which would render the student unable to perform all practical skills required for this level of training. Physical performance skills must include the ability of the student to function and communicate independently, to perform appropriate patient care, physical assessments and treatments without the need for an assistant. Specific physical requirements are defined in the functional position description.
Comply with OSHA 29 CFR part 1910.1030. A health examination and copies of immunization records is required.
Evidence of competency in high school level mathematics and post high school English.
Not have been convicted or found guilty of any crime, offense or regulatory violation, or participated in any other prohibited conduct identified in the Virginia EMS regulations as defined in 12VAC5-31-910

Attendance. A detailed record of student attendance is maintained by the program and becomes a part of the permanent student record. Every absence is recorded and counted as such, beginning with the first scheduled class. There are no excused absences. Virginia EMS Regulations require students attend 85% of all scheduled class and lab sessions. If absences exceed 15% of the scheduled class sessions, the student is dropped from the program.

Externship Phase Absenteeism and Tardiness. All clinical courses have minimum hour requirements and minimum clinical competency requirements. Both the minimum hours and the minimum clinical competencies must be met for successful course completion.

Students are expected to arrive for clinical rotations prepared to administer patient care and perform student responsibilities. If there is an emergency or illness resulting in a clinical absence, the student should notify the clinical site and the clinical coordinator prior to the start of the assigned shift. Any missed clinical time must be rescheduled with the Clinical Coordinator.

Student Evaluation. The faculty uses the objectives of the EMS Program as criteria for student evaluation. Student grades are determined by a combination of assignment completion, written examinations, laboratory and clinical competencies and professional behavior as detailed on the course syllabus.

The achievement of the student in theory, psychomotor performance, clinical performance and professional behavior is evaluated by the faculty at regular intervals and shared with the student. The student progresses to the next term when all course requirements have been met. Students must maintain a 73 percent average in all EMS or science courses and meet all psychomotor competency requirements.

At the completion of certain courses, students will be required to complete a computerized, national examination that tests the student’s comprehensive knowledge of the course content. The student must score a minimum of 73% on the unit summative exams.

All clinical courses have minimum hour requirements and minimum clinical competency requirements. Both the minimum hours and the minimum clinical competencies must be met.

A final course grade of less than 73 percent or failure to meet clinical or laboratory requirements will result in failure of a course.

Following completion of all course requirements, the Paramedic student must score a minimum of 76% on the comprehensive capstone exam to be eligible for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Certification Examination.