Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, Short-Term Certificate

This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career as an Emergency Medical Technician. It prepares students for entry level positions with ambulance and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Because Ohio certification as an EMT or Paramedic is a component for staffing fire departments, it is also important for anyone pursuing a career as a firefighter.  Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the National Registry of EMT Basic examination. Successful completion of this examination is necessary for State of Ohio EMT-Basic certification. A criminal background check must be completed through a program approved source prior to participation in directed practice.

The College was notified following a site visit from the Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Medical Services that national registry exam pass rates for the EMS Program are below minimum standards. As a result, the program has been placed on probation through January 31, 2026. The program continues to be accredited during this period. 

Financial Assistance funds cannot be applied towards this program.

Program contact: Learn more

This certificate will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the certificate, please notify the Office of the Registrar at RegistrarOffice@tri-c.edu.

Learn more here and here about how certificate credits apply to the related degree.

Program Admission Requirements

Application may be submitted to the Health Careers Enrollment Center after meeting the following requirements:

• Submit application at least two weeks before EMT-1302 Emergency Medical Technician - Basic/EMT-130L EMT Basic Practical Lab class begins.
• Must be 18 years old or 17 years old and a high school senior to enroll in EMT-1302 Emergency Medical Technician - Basic/EMT-130L EMT Basic Practical Lab.
• ENG-0985 Introduction to College Literacies or appropriate score on English Placement Test. 
• MATH-0915 Basic Arithmetic and Pre-Algebra or qualified Math Placement. 

Other Information

• 215 students accepted per year.
• Students must achieve a grade of “C” in all certificate courses to be awarded the certificate.
• EMT-Basic available at Eastern, Metropolitan, Western and Westshore Campuses.
• Criminal background check required.
• Admission to the program may be denied or revoked for failure to comply with program policies and procedure of Ohio Revised/Administrative Code 4765.

Program Learning Outcomes

This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

1. Use correct medical terminology when communicating with health care professionals regarding patient conditions and to completely and accurately document patient care information that meets federal, state and organizational requirements.
2. Exhibit professional, ethical and compassionate behavior, which follows department, city, state and federal regulations, when interacting with diverse groups of patients, their families, health care professionals, and community to promote sound physical, psychological, spiritual health and safety at all times.
3. Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medicolegal and ethical issues, basic patient assessment skills, and basic medical equipment to identify mechanism of injury or nature of illness to determine therapeutic modalities for the medical and trauma patient and establish the priority of interventions needed to improve the patient’s outcome within the EMT Basic level’s scope of practice.
4. Perform pre-hospital assessments and treatments using basic medical techniques and equipment available within the EMT Basic level’s scope of practice.
5. Identify current and potential hazards and perform duties maintaining a safe work environment for themselves, co-workers, patients and bystanders.
6. Use tactical management, critical thinking and ethical decision making skills to lead and operate an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Unit.
7. Identify stress within myself and co-workers and use appropriate stress management techniques to ensure physical and emotional health.
8. Sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician Exam.

Suggested Semester Sequence

¹

Students must achieve a grade of "C" in all certificate courses to be awarded the certificate.

²

BIO-2331 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO-2341 Anatomy and Physiology II will be accepted in place of EMT-1401 Anatomy & Physiology for Paramedics. BIO-2331 and BIO-2341 required for the AAS in Emergency Medical Technology.

MATH-1140, MATH-1141, MATH-1200, MATH-1270, and MATH-1280 can no longer count towards fulfilling the college-level mathematics requirement.  These courses were re-classified as developmental mathematics by the state of Ohio in 2016.  Tri-C established a 5-year transitioning window for students who had completed these courses prior to 2016 to apply them towards meeting graduation requirements, which expired in Summer 2021. It is highly recommended to see a counselor to determine the appropriate math required for your current major.