Emergency Medical Services

What jobs can I get?

EMS personnel are primarily employed by licensed private and municipal ambulance providers, fire departments, hospitals, industrial safety departments, recreational facilities, and governmental agencies/departments. Employment is also found in EMS management, education, EMS marketing or sales, and departments within branches of the U.S. military. Registry and or licensure credentials mandated for employment in all levels of practice.

Is it likely I will find a job after completing the EMS program and how much money can I expect to earn?

CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, projects job growth increase of 29% for EMTs and paramedics, and 18% for firefighters, who often hold EMS credentials. The typical annual salary for a paramedic is $37,120 to $58,810. The annual salary for an EMT is $28,920 to $37,660. CareerOneStop estimates there will be 20,700 projected job openings annually for individuals trained as EMTs and paramedics.

Paramedic is the highest level of licensure in the emergency medical services profession. Many municipal fire departments, such as the Midland Fire Department, employ only firefighters who are paramedics or who can obtain the training in a short time after employment. These needs, seen locally and beyond, create a demand that almost guarantees a job to all graduates.

What credentials can I earn after becoming an EMT-P?

Paramedics who are graduates of associate degree programs, such as the degree offered at Midland College, are eligible for licensure in Texas at the Licensed Paramedic (LP) level. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees are available at several universities for interested students. Midland College offers two bachelor’s degrees that paramedics seeking positions in management or leadership might be interested in: B.A.S., Health Services Management with an emphasis on healthcare administration, and the B.A.T., Organizational Management.

What kind of working environment can I expect?

EMTs and Paramedics have rewarding and challenging jobs. Many individuals work in organizations that are open 24/7. Irregular work hours will require an adaptable family life. Firefighter paramedics are required to sleep at the assigned fire station when on shift. Work is done inside and outside and in all kinds of weather. Emergency personnel continuously kneel, bend, and lift patients and heavy equipment. Physical fitness is required for personal safety. Exposure to contagious diseases is a risk, as is receiving unpredictable reactions from people who are stressed or in pain. Good communication skills are necessary because the EMS team must know patients’ needs and problems, as well as how to proceed with interventions.

Watch the video produced by CareerOneStop for more information:

Marketable Skills

Pursuing a certificate or degree in this field of study will provide marketable skills in these areas:

• Service Orientation – Providing active and proactive assistance to those in need
• Critical Thinking – Using intellectually disciplined thought processes to determine appropriate treatment options based upon patient signs, symptoms, and situations
• Active Listening – Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
• Judgment and Decision Making – Evaluating different options and selecting the most appropriate plans of action
• Operation and Control – Using equipment or systems
• Time Management – Prioritize workload to attend to the most critical needs first, and if needed, be willing to ask for help
• Written Communication - Demonstrating complete, accurate and effective professional documentation on paper, computers, or electronic devices
• Monitoring – Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
• Oral Communication – Speaking with clarity and precision with a diverse population and recognizing non-verbal cues
• Professionalism/Work Ethic – Demonstrating personal accountability and effective work habits

Class Schedules

EMT students must be prepared to study hard and spend many hours in class, labs, and clinical. You are learning to help save people’s lives. Good attendance helps ensure success in EMT courses. Regular attendance is required. The attendance and tardy policy is strictly enforced.

EMT-Basic students can expect to be in class Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-10 pm in fall and spring semesters and 9 am - 3 pm Tuesday and Thursday during the summer. The schedule for dual credit students follows MISD class times, and students are on the MC campus approximately one-hour Monday through Friday.

Paramedic students can expect to be in class Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm during the fall and spring semesters. Summer courses are taught 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. Note that the paramedic program is three consecutive semesters so all students will take summer courses.

Types of Instruction

EMS is not an online program. The majority of classes are taught face-to-face. Online learning programs are used in EMT and paramedic courses. Testing is typically done online. Students will learn to use the same types of equipment that EMS personnel use in the field. Learning skills is an important part of the EMS curriculum, and many hours will be spent in on-site labs under the supervision of licensed EMTs. EMT and paramedic students have hands-on experience with patients in healthcare settings and on ambulance ride-outs.

Adult students purchase their own books for the courses unless grant or scholarship funds are available. Dual credit students may have their books paid for with college or MISD funds. A few supplies are needed, such as a good quality stethoscope.

Professional Attire

EMT personnel are professionals in healthcare and public service industries. Professional appearance is a must. EMT students purchase their own uniform(s). Uniform requirements will be explained to students when they are accepted into the program. 

Limited Enrollment

The EMS courses have limited enrollment based on resource availability. Applicants are notified of program acceptance by phone and email. Students are admitted into the EMT-Basic or Paramedic program shortly before a new group of students begins classes. A new paramedic class starts in January and June of each year. A new group of students in the EMT-Basic program begins in August, January, and June. The dual credit EMT-Basic students begin in August.

MISD high school students wanting to pursue EMT-Basic training must work with their high school counselors as well as the Midland College EMS department for admission into the program. The decision to be an EMT student has to be made by the spring of their sophomore (10th grade) year. MISD pays tuition and fees for dual credit students.

Requirements - Emergency medical technician (EMT)

• Apply to Midland College

Students must have applied to the College through the Apply Texas website before their application to an EMS program can be finalized. Students accepted into an EMS program register for courses online.

Steps to Apply & Enroll

• Complete the Health Sciences General Application

Health Sciences General Application

• Tuberculosis screening
• Urine drug screening (as scheduled after classes begin)
• Criminal background clearance
• Health insurance coverage
  
  

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS

• Influenza vaccine, current season
• Mumps-Measles-Rubella (MMR, 2 doses)
• Hepatitis B (3 doses)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox) - 2 doses or verification of disease
• Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis (Tdap) - 1 dose within the last 10 years
• COVID-19 vaccine or approved medical/religious exemption

Paramedic Requirements

• EMT Requirements, plus:
• Certified EMT and completed BIOL 2404 and HPRS 1106
• TSI Complete

All paperwork should be turned in once the Health Sciences General; Application is submitted.

Final admittance decisions made approximately 30 days prior to the first day of class.

Apply for General Scholarships through the Financial Aid Portal

FAFSA Requirement

The student's FAFSA application must be on file with MC Financial Aid to access the Financial Aid Portal and apply for scholarships.

If the student's FAFSA application is not on file with MC Financial Aid, the student needs to complete the FAFSA application, and once processed, will have access to complete the general scholarship application.

FAFSA Information

How to Apply

1. Go to our Financial Aid Portal, by clicking this link: Financial Aid Portal
2. Log in using your SSN and Password. If this is your first time, click the "First Time User" link under the Submit button in the "Log In" box.
3. Click the menu button at the top left-hand corner.
4. Select the Scholarship Application.

For additional scholarship details and deadlines, visit the General Scholarships page.

General Scholarships