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Aims EMS students

Emergency Medical ServicesRequirements

Explore the classes that will teach you the skills you need to earn an EMS associate degree and become a basic EMT. Study anatomy and physiology, IV/IO therapy, learn how to assess and treat people in emergency situations, and choose an elective path in either advanced EMT or fire science. 

Because this degree includes the 15-week EMT training program, which has specific requirements and entry dates, see the EMT application information page for more information about getting started with your EMS degree. If you have questions about entering the EMS degree program, email ems@aims.edu.

Row Groupings Degree Requirements: Credits
required

Introduces the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) student to prehospital emergency care. The topics included in this course are Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems, well-being of the EMT, communications, documentation, anatomy, airway management, and patient assessment. Students are required to have a professional level CPR certification to enroll in this course. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Prerequisites

Students are required to have a professional level CPR certification to enroll in this course.

3
required

Provides the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) student with the knowledge and skills to effectively provide emergency care and transportation to a patient experiencing a medical emergency. This course focuses on the integration of the physical exam, medical history, and pathophysiology when assessing and treating the medical patient. Students are required to have a professional level CPR certification to enroll in this course. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Prerequisites

EMS 1021 with a grade of "C" or better.

Course Corequisites
EMS 1023, EMS 1024, and EMS 1070
4
required

Provides the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) student with the knowledge and skills to provide appropriate emergency care and transportation of a patient who has suffered a traumatic injury. The concepts of kinematics and the biomechanics of trauma, along with pathophysiology and injury patterns will provide the student with the ability to assess and manage the trauma patient. Students are required to have a professional level CPR certification to enroll in this course. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Prerequisites

EMS 1021 with a grade of "C" or better.  Students are required to have a professional level CPR certification to enroll in this course.

Course Corequisites
EMS 1022, EMS 1024, and EMS 1070
2
required

Provides the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) student with the knowledge and skills required to modify the assessment, treatment, and transportation of special patient populations and patients in special circumstances. This course also provides an overview of incident command, mass casualty incidents, vehicle extrication, air medical support, hazardous materials, and terrorism. Students are required to have a professional level CPR certification to enroll in this course. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Prerequisites

EMS 1021 with a grade of "C" or better.  Students are required to have a professional level CPR certification to enroll in this course.

Course Corequisites
EMS 1022, EMS 1023, and EMS 1070
2
required

Focuses on cognitive and skill practice for the Colorado scope of practice for the IV / IO endorsement as outlined in the Intravenous / Intraosseous Therapy and Medication Administration course curriculum. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

2
required

Provides the EMT student with the clinical experience required for initial certification and some renewal processes. Students are required to have current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check to enroll in this course. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Prerequisites

Students are required to have current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check to enroll in this course.

Course Corequisites
EMS 1021, EMS 1022, EMS 1023, and EMS 1024
1
required

Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor. Students are required to have current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check to enroll in this course. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Prerequisites

Students are required to have current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check to enroll in this course.

.25 to 6
*Note * Students must complete 5 credits of EMS 1081
required

Introduces the basic concepts of occupational health and safety as it relates to emergency service organizations. Topics include risk evaluation and control procedures for fire stations, training sites, emergency vehicles, and emergency situations involving fire, EMS, hazardous materials, and technical rescue. This course introduces the basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives, focusing on the need for cultural and behavioral change throughout emergency services. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Focuses on basic knowledge of body structures and function, and provides a foundation for understanding deviations from normal and disease conditions. This course is designed for individuals interested in health care and is directly applicable to the Practical Nursing Program, Paramedic Program and the Medical Office Technology program. It is recommended that ENG 1021 and MAT 1340 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.

4
required

Provides an in-depth study of the structure of medical terms with emphasis on using and combining common prefixes, roots and suffixes. This course includes terms related to major body systems, oncology, and psychiatry as well as clinical laboratory and diagnostic procedures, and imaging, and provides accepted pronunciation of terms and relative use in the healthcare setting. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Explores the six components of wellness: physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and occupational. Topics include health risks, wellness behaviors, and personal behavior change in the areas of nutrition; exercise; substance abuse; stress management; cardiovascular and cancer risk factors; the aging process; and violence, death, and dying in our society. Provides tools to complete self-assessments and develop a wellness program for a healthier lifestyle across a lifespan. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Total Degree Requirement Credits 32
Row Groupings General Education Requirements: Credits
General Education Requirements:

Choose 1 option for COM and choose 1 option for MAT. All other general education courses listed required.

required

Combines the basic theories of communication with public speech performance skills. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, audience analysis, and delivery. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Examines the communication involved in interpersonal relationships occurring in family, social, and career situations. Relevant concepts include self-concept, perception, listening, nonverbal communication, and conflict. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Blank Space
required

Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Develops skills one can apply to a variety of technical documents. Focuses on principles for organizing, writing, and revising clear, readable documents for industry, business, and government. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Blank Space
required

Covers material designed for career and technical students who need to study particular mathematical topics. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, statistics, and graphs. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.

or any higher level Math course
3
required

Introduces descriptive and inferential statistics, with an emphasis on critical thinking and statistical literacy. Topics include methods of data collection, presentation and summarization, introduction to probability concepts and distributions, and statistical inference of one and two populations. This course uses real world data to illustrate applications of a practical nature. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Blank Space
required

Emphasizes the structure and function of state, county, and municipal governments including their relations with each other and with national government. Includes a study of Colorado government and politics. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Explores differences based on race, ethnicity, social class, gender, age, ability status, and sexual identity. Critically examines the dynamics of intergroup relations and how social construction of these differences can lead to patterns of prejudice, discrimination, and inequality nationally and globally. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Total General Education Credits 15-16
Row Groupings Elective Credits:
Elective Credits:

Compete 1 option below for a total of 13 credits. 

Row Groupings Elective Credits Option 1: Credits
required

Introduces the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) student to the fundamental knowledge of growth, development and aging considerations in the emergency patient. The student will learn to use assessment findings to provide basic and selected advanced emergency care and transportation for a patient with special needs. These include the obstetric patient, neonatal patient, pediatric patient, geriatric patient, and patients with special challenges. Learners will apply this knowledge to patient assessment and the development of a treatment plan in a simulated setting. This course also provides an overview of the principles of safe ground ambulance operations, incident management, multiple casualty incidents, air medical responses, vehicle extrication, hazardous material awareness and terrorism and disaster response. Learners will apply critical thinking skills to ensuring the safety of a scene and a plan for safe patient care and transportation. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Corequisites
EMS 1071, EMS 1125, EMS 1129, EMS 1133, and EMS 1135
2
required

Provides the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) student with a basis for making clinical decisions in the pharmacologic management of patients commonly encountered in the pre-hospital setting. Topics include the legal and ethical aspects of pharmacotherapy, roles, responsibilities and techniques associated with medication preparation and administration, the classification and naming of medications, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and medication calculations. In addition the mechanism of action, dose, route(s) of administration, therapeutic effects, adverse effects, and therapeutic indications for medications within the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician scope of practice are discussed in detail. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the paramedic , program director for more information.  Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:Paul.Lafleur@aims.eduPaul Lafleur

Course Corequisites
EMS 1071, EMS 1125, EMS 1127, EMS 1133, and EMS 135
1
required

Provides the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) student with instruction in EMS systems, communications and documentation, pathophysiology, airway management, and the role of EMS in public health. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Corequisites
EMS 1071, EMS 1127, EMS 1129, EMS 1133, and EMS 1135
2
required

Introduces the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) student to a fundamental knowledge of emergency care for the medical patient. This course provides instruction in the integration of physical exam findings, history findings, and pathophysiology when assessing and treating the medical patient. Topics addressed include neurology, immunology, infectious diseases, endocrine disorders, cardiovascular disorders, toxicology, respiratory emergencies, hematology, and renal disorders. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Corequisites
EMS 1071, EMS 1125, EMS 1127, EMS 1129, and EMS 1135
2
required

Introduces the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) student to a fundamental knowledge of emergency care for the trauma patient. The student will learn how to utilize assessment findings to provide basic and selected advanced emergency care and transportation for the trauma patient. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Corequisites
EMS 1071, EMS 1125, EMS 1127, EMS 1129, and EMS 1133
2
required

Builds on the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) student's fundamental knowledge of patient care in the clinical and field setting. The student will perform patient assessments through physical examination, and patient interviews of health history and current illness. The student will then use those assessment findings to develop and carry out a patient treatment plan. This will include pediatric, geriatric and adult patients with a variety of presentations. The student will also survey each field scene for safety considerations and scene management. Students are required to have a current Colorado EMT certification, CPR certification, applicable immunizations and a background check to enroll in this course. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at  Course is not repeatable for credit.mailto:ems@aims.edu.C_blankems@aims.edu.

Course Prerequisites

Students are required to have a current Colorado EMT certification, CPR certification, applicable immunizations and a background check to enroll in this course.

Course Corequisites
EMS 1125, EMS 1127, EMS 1129, EMS 1133, and EMS 1135
2
required

Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor. Students are required to have a current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check to enroll in this course. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the EMS program coordinator for more information at . Course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours.mailto:ems@aims.eduems@aims.edu

Course Prerequisites

EMS 1081 with a grade of "C" or better.  Students are required to have a current CPR certification, applicable immunizations, and a background check to enroll in this course.

.25 to 6
*Note *Students must complete 2 credits of EMS 1082
Row Groupings Elective Credits Option 2: Credits
required

Addresses the requirements necessary to perform at the first level of progression as identified in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001, Firefighter Professional Qualifications. This is a lecture and lab course for meeting the NFPA 1001, level I, standard. Differential tuition rates apply. Students are required to have professional level CPR certification to enroll in this course. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the fire program coordinator for more information at fire.science@aims.edu. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

Professional level CPR certification

9
required

Introduces hazardous materials incidents, recognizing and identifying hazardous materials, planning response, implementing response procedures, decision making, and continued evaluation at the awareness and operation level. Differential tuition rates apply. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the fire program coordinator for more information at fire.science@aims.edu. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Offers the clinical practicum to apply the related fire science technology. Differential tuition rates apply. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please contact the fire program coordinator for more information at fire.science@aims.edu. Course is repeatable with a maximum of 12 credit hours.

0 to 12
*Note *Students must complete 1 credit of FST 1070
Total Elective Credits 13
Total Credits for Degree 60-61