Holmes to hold EMS Interest Day
Holmes Community College is holding three Emergency Medical Science (EMS) Program informational sessions in the upcoming months for those interested in a career in EMS. These meetings will be held on the Holmes Ridgeland Campus on April 12, May 1 and June 6 from 10 a.m.-noon in the D. P. “Pat” McGowan Workforce Training Center.
This is for students who would like to learn more about the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Advanced EMT and Paramedic programs, whether that be about the classes, requirements or the profession overall. Following the information session, participants will have an opportunity to tour the EMS facilities and ask any questions they may have.
Participants will have the opportunity to complete Holmes CC applications that day, as well, and they will be given the list of all requirements for the fall and spring classes.
The EMS program prepares students for various roles in the field of emergency medicine. Students who complete the one-semester EMT course and receive NREMT certification are prepared for direct patient care and serve as the support personnel as well as the ambulance operator. They also work in emergency departments, fire departments and physicians’ offices. Current certification as an EMT often provides points toward selection for entry into other allied health programs.
Nationally-registered EMTs may be eligible to participate in the Paramedic program at Ridgeland or Grenada. A new paramedic program begins each year and meets three nights per week for three semesters. Successful completion of the course leads to a certificate or an AAS degree. Paramedics provide direct patient care covering a broad range of injuries and illness.
Experienced paramedics may be eligible to enter the Critical Care Paramedic program, a program designed (and first implemented by) the Holmes EMS staff. The required courses are offered in a two-semester format on the Ridgeland Campus. Successful completion of the coursework leads to an AAS degree. Critical Care Paramedics are prepared for a career in critical care transport.
The Critical Care Paramedic Program is a post-secondary program that includes individuals who already possess a valid Nationally Registered Paramedic and Mississippi Paramedic certification. The Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) will instruct current paramedics to provide for the on-going care of a critically injured or ill patient during an inter-facility transport and in other special situations such as rotor wing or fixed wing transport. The program is intended to expand the knowledge base and skill set of the paramedic beyond the level of the entry level paramedic to perform special critical care assessments and treatments.
For more information about EMS Interest Day, contact Holmes EMS Clinical Coordinator Sandra Hultz at shultz@holmescc.edu or (601) 605-3347.