Emergency Medical Services AAS Degree Courses

The first of a two-semester sequence especially designed for students pursuing careers in allied health fields as well as any student desiring an in-depth undergraduate transfer course. The course focuses on the interdependent relationships between the structure and functions of body systems and the ways these parts interact (homeostasis) to insure the survival of the organism. Major topics addressed include levels of organization, the chemistry of life, support/movement, integration/control, and coordination. Coordinated laboratory exercises focus on anatomical knowledge and physiological functions.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

This course is for individuals who anticipate working with an ambulance service, hospital emergency department, fire department or other occupational field where emergencies are common. Course includes topics related to assessment and treatment of illness and injury. This course also includes a clinical and field component.

Lecture Hours: 64 Lab Hours: 64 Co-op Hours: 64

Prepares the student to provide emergency care at an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level as outlined by the National Emergency Medical Services Education standards. Introduces basic emergency care concepts including fundamental knowledge of the EMS system, safety/well-being of the EMT and medical/legal and ethical issues to the provision of emergency care. Focuses on adult patient assessment, care and, transportation. Students receive Mandatory Reporting for child/adult training and earn American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C in ENG-060 AND RDG-039 or equivalent assessment score.

Introduces shock and resuscitation, patient assessment, care and transportation of the acutely ill, trauma patient, special patient populations, and EMS operations. Focuses on Geriatric Education for EMS (GEMS), Hazmat Awareness, and Incident Command. Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency for skills within the scope of practice for patients of all ages.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Pre/Co-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-363.

Prepares students to provide emergency medical assessment, care, and transportation of acutely ill or injured patients of all ages. Develops student proficiency in previously learned skills when providing direct patient care in selected clinical settings. Requires student participation in and documentation of patient contacts and field experience approved by the medical director and the EMS program director. Students must demonstrate competency in skills for patients of all ages within the scope of practice.

Lecture Hours: Co-op Hours: 64

Pre/Co-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-364.

Composition I emphasizes fluency, thesis-driven organization, the use of supporting details, and research techniques. Writing is approached as a recursive process that includes prewriting strategies, drafting, revising, and editing. The course helps students shape writing to serve readers' needs and define a sense of purpose in their writing. It also gives students strategies for reading college-level material.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement scores or equivalent.

This course presents the foundation necessary to develop a basic medical terminology vocabulary. Emphasis on the components of terms as related to each body system will be provided. The course further provides the student with the opportunity to properly spell, pronounce and utilize medical terms in relation to pathological conditions, tests, and procedures. Common medical abbreviations will also be discussed for each system.

Lecture Hours: 32

The second of a two-semester sequence designed for students pursuing careers in allied health fields or wishing an in-depth undergraduate transfer course in the biological sciences. The course focuses on interdependent relationships between the structures and functions of body systems and the way these parts interact (homeostasis) to insure survival of the organism. Major topics addressed include systems associated with circulation, maintenance, elimination and continuity. Coordinated laboratory exercises focus on anatomical knowledge and physiological functions.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in BIO-168.

This course provides the student with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify and treat life-threatening emergencies, wounds and fractures, medical and environmental emergencies and patient access and handling. This course utilizes a combination of classroom lecture and skills practice.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

This course is for students interested in the practice and principles of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems management and the processes that contribute to the effectiveness of day-to-day operations within an EMS organization. This course introduces the EMS professional to topics that include government structure, strategic planning, injury prevention, risk management and safety, customer service, human resources management, financial management, fleet management, career development, quality management, data collection and research, labor relations, and special operations.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course is for students interested in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education. This course introduces the EMS professional to the education system as it relates to EMS education. Students explore issues in curriculum development, teaching, program direction, and development. Successful completion of this course is required for EMS instructor endorsement in Iowa.

Lecture Hours: 48

After completing the course the student will have met the sections required for a Firefighter I in the NFPA® 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and the requirements for National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) 472, Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents for the for the Awareness and Operational Levels.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 96

This course provides an overview to fire protection; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; philosophy and history of fire protection/service; fire loss analysis; organization and function of public and private fire protection services; fire departments as part of local government; laws and regulations affecting the fire service; fire service nomenclature; specific fire protection functions; basic fire chemistry and physics; introduction to fire protection systems; introduction to fire strategy and tactics.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course introduces the Federal, State, and local laws that regulate emergency services, national standards influencing emergency services, standard of care, tort, liability, and a review of relevant court cases.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course prepares public safety personnel for the physical demands of public safety entrance testing and work demands.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

This is a one semester, liberal arts mathematics course that satisfies the minimum general education requirement for math. The course is designed to impart math skills which are helpful in everyday life as well as to expose students to areas of mathematics they may not have seen before. Topics include problem-solving skills, set theory, algebra, consumer mathematics, probability, and statistics. Other topics may be included.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in MAT-063 or appropriate placement score.

This course is a study of descriptive statistics including graphical representation, central tendency, correlation and regression, intuitive treatment of probability and inferential statistics including hypothesis testing.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): MAT-063.

This course provides an intensified study of algebraic techniques and prepares students for future study in mathematics. The central theme is the concept of functions, their properties, graphs and applications. Functions studied include polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic.

Lecture Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in MAT-102 or equivalent placement score.

This course surveys the basic principles, concepts, and research findings of social life from small groups to societies. The course examines a range of sociological explanations for the various forms of social behaviors and establishes a basis for reflection and further study in the field.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides an introduction to the study of behavior and mental processes with emphasis in such areas as learning, cognition, motivation, personality, behavioral disorder, therapy, and social influence. An understanding of the impact of both theoretical perspectives and experimental evidence on the formulation of the science of human behavior is also stressed. Psychological theories and principles are utilized to explain and predict behavior.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course introduces students to the oral communication process and how it affects human interaction There will be an emphasis on developing interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. Students will be involved in activities that provide opportunity for the understanding and improvement of their oral communication skills.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course will provide clinical atmosphere for performance of psychomotor skills as described by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Standard Paramedic Curriculum. To successfully complete this course, students must demonstrate competency in skills for patients of all ages within the scope of practice. The student will participate in and document patient contacts and field experience. Additional contact hours (up to 3 times stated minimum) may be needed to meet the course competencies. Permission of instructor required.

Co-op Hours: 192

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in HSC-113, BIO-168, and BIO-173.

Co-requisite(s): EMS-610, EMS-619, EMS-641, and EMS-674.

This is a required course in Hawkeye's National Paramedic Education Program. This course prepares the paramedic to administer medications per the paramedic scope of practice.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in BIO-168, BIO-173, and HSC-113.

The course includes Module 2 (Airway Management and Ventilation) and Module 3 (Patient Assessment) of the DOT National Standard Curriculum for EMT Paramedics. Content will include advanced airway management physical assessment, field assessment, clinical decision making, documentation and the assessment and management of respiratory emergencies. The lab component of this course includes skills in airway management and ventilation, history taking, techniques of physical examination, patient assessment, clinical decision making, communication and AHA ACLS. All will be practiced and demonstrated.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in BIO-168, BI0-173, and HSC-113.

Provides an overview of paramedic roles and responsibilities and the emergency medical service system. Includes discussion of medicolegal and ethical issues in EMS, agents of trauma and disease, and career opportunities for paramedics. Provides discussion and demonstration of proper documentation in EMS, emergency vehicle operations, and non-patient care aspects of EMS.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in BIO-168, BI0-173, and HSC-113.

Cardiology for the Paramedic will focus on assessing the prehospital cardiac patient, interpreting electrocardiograms, and formulating treatment regimens for these patients.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C- in BIO-168, BIO-173, HSC-113.

This course will provide clinical atmosphere for performance of psychomotor skills as described by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Standard Paramedic Curriculum. To successfully complete this course, students must demonstrate competency in skills for patients of all ages within the scope of practice. The student will participate in and document patient contacts and field experience. Additional contact hours (up to 3 times stated minimum) may be needed to meet the course competencies. Permission of instructor required.

Co-op Hours: 192

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-541, EMS-610, EMS-619, EMS-641, and EMS-674.

Lecture and case-based teaching in the pathophysiology, recognition and advanced life support assessment and management of emergencies involving the nervous, endocrine, renal, and gastrointestinal systems. Assessment and intervention in psychological emergencies.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-541, EMS-610, EMS-619, EMS-641, and EMS-674.

Special Patient Populations for the Paramedic explores illness and injury in the obstetric/gynecologic, neonatal, pediatric, geriatric, and chronically ill patient populations.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-619, EMS-641, EMS-610, EMS-541, and EMS-674.

Traumatic Emergencies for the Paramedic explores the science of traumatic injuries, their detection and treatment. Major topics include: soft tissue, shock, hard tissue, nervous system, and internal injuries.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-641, EMS-619, EMS-610, EMS-674, and EMS-541.

This course will prepare the learner to function in EMS operations in the out-of-hospital environment and includes emergency vehicle operator and HAZMAT operations certifications.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-546.

This course will provide a platform for the student to apply cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills to actual practice during a field internship. This course will also include comprehensive psychomotor exercises in a lab setting to prepare the paramedic student for national certification.

Lab Hours: 32 Co-op Hours: 192

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-546.