Find your calling.
Save lives with a career in emergency medical services.
Moraine Valley鈥檚 Emergency Medical Services program prepares students for careers as emergency medical technicians and paramedics in both public and private sectors. Students gain the knowledge and hands-on training needed to assess patients, provide immediate care and respond confidently in high-pressure situations.
The program is designed to meet the requirements of the Illinois Department of Public Health for licensure and is also a strong pathway for individuals in fire science or related fields looking to expand their skills.
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Help Others With a Career in Emergency Medical Services
The emergence of pre-hospital emergency medical services has created a demand for professionally trained, highly qualified health care workers to deliver specialized care.
With an A.A.S. degree in Emergency Medical Services, you can pursue advanced roles providing critical, life-saving care in a variety of emergency and health care settings.
As demand grows for highly trained professionals in pre-hospital care, this degree helps expand your career opportunities beyond basic certification. In addition to EMT and paramedic training, the A.A.S. degree strengthens your knowledge, skills and professional development, making you more competitive in the field and opening the door to leadership and specialized roles.
The A.A.S. Degree in Emergency Medical Services at Moraine Valley is designed to be completed in about two years.
This program is designed for students intending to go into the public or private sector as paramedics. Individual lives often depend on quick reaction and competent care of paramedics. Incidents as varied as auto accidents, heart attacks, slips and falls, childbirth and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. Paramedics provide these vital services as they care for and transport the sick and injured to a medical facility. A paramedic provides the most extensive pre-hospital care, which includes administration of medications orally and intravenously, endotracheal intubation and defibrillations of patients in lethal arrhythmias. Paramedics are employed in a number of industries, including the private ambulance service, municipal fire department or facility responses on helicopters and fixed wing transport vehicles. A paramedic also may take the National Registry Examination for Paramedics, which will permit a graduate flexibility when seeking employment opportunities.
FAQ’s
I already possess my EMT Paramedic Certificate. Can I receive college credit for that certificate?
Yes, you may apply for proficiency credit for EMS-102, 103, 104, 233 and 237 through the Academic Outreach Department in L244.
If the Paramedic Program begins in the spring semester and the application is due the fourth week after the fall semester start, what day exactly would the application be due?
If fall semester begins on August 18, applications would be due on September 14.
Emergency Medical Technician
You must apply to 好色先生 to register for EMS-101. All requirements for clinical eligibility will be discussed the first day of class.
Physical Requirements
- Use digital fine motor skills with both hands continually throughout the day.
- See clearly enough to read hand-written and computer-generated communications.
- Hear clearly enough to accept verbal orders from incident commanders and electronically generated orders broadcast from emergency room personnel.
- Work standing on their feet for the majority of the day.
- Walk quickly to and from service locations for the majority of the day.
- Lift patients onto gurneys, into ambulances, as well as up and down stairwells.
- Write and speak to patients, peers and staff effectively.
- Interact appropriately with patients, physicians, peers and supervisors.
- Use good judgment to seek assistance when needed.
- Lift a minimum of 50 pounds unassisted.
- Apply safety and infection control standards learned in the program to maintain a safe and clean environment for patients, staff and self.
- Capable of handling stressful situations, remain calm and prioritize patient treatments.
- Ability to work in extreme and hazardous conditions including darkness, heat, cold, dampness and very small spaces.
EMS-101 (EMT)
Once students have completed all the requirements:
- Medical exam
- Drug screen
- Immunizations
- Criminal background check
- HIPAA training
- CPR training
- High school diploma verification
- Bloodborne pathogens training
Students will then be assigned to clinical rotations. The students receive clinical experience in the last half of the semester during EMS-101.
The clinical rotations total 50 hours and include the following assignments: 24 hours in an emergency room, 24 hours of ambulance “ride-along” time and two hours in a cadaver lab.
Clinical assignments are staggered throughout the semester and scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis
Clinical Requirements
Before clinicals can be assigned, students must provide the EMS Program coordinator with documentation of the following requirements:
- CPR for Health Care Provider Training: Students who are not already CPR certified must obtain CPR certification as a separate activity during EMS-101. Costs for CPR training range from $75 to $100. Moraine Valley offers Basic Life Support CPR courses through the Workforce Development and Community Services Department. The course number is AH8-039. For more information on CPR for Health care Providers, contact Syreeta Brown, senior program manager, at (708) 608-4247. Students are financially responsible for the CPR training required.
- History and Physical: Students are required to obtain a physical examination in preparation for clinical training. The student is responsible for the cost of the physical examination and all the immunizations, blood tests and tuberculosis tests specified on the physical examination form. The Student History and Physical Form is included in the course packet.
- Health insurance: Moraine Valley requires students to carry personal health insurance for the duration of their clinical rotation. Public Aid, coverage extended as a result of spousal or parental insurance policies, and Moraine Valley student insurance are acceptable.
- Drug Screen: Students will be required to submit to and complete a drug screening before clinical assignment. Unsuccessful completion of the drug screening requirement will prohibit a student from receiving a clinical assignment. Students may not repeat a failed drug screening within the same semester. Students may take the drug screening at the facility of their choice, however, the drug screening must be a 10-panel. The results of the drug screen must be mailed or faxed to the program coordinator. Students may not directly hand the results of the drug screen to their instructors. Cost: approximately $30.
- Criminal Background Checks: To comply with certain state statutes and/or clinical affiliation agreements, students must complete a criminal background check. Application forms for criminal background checks are included in the course packet. Fees for the background check must be paid to the Cashier’s Office. The cost is $27, subject to change without notice. Information on criminal background application procedures will be explained on the first day of class. Deadline dates for completion of criminal background checks will be announced by the program coordinator.
- Verification of High School Completion: Students are required to submit verification of high school completion. Foreign transcripts must be formally evaluated to determine if your education is the equivalent of an American high school diploma. To verify your foreign transcripts, please call the Moraine Valley International Student Affairs Department at (708) 974-5334 to request an appointment to have your transcripts evaluated. The evaluation process may be lengthy, so please begin as soon as possible. Students are allowed to select a clinical site with a pending foreign transcript evaluation but will not be allowed to graduate until the process is completed.
Clinical Assignment Locations
Students enrolled in EMS-101 (EMT) will be assigned to clinical rotations at Little Company of Mary Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital and several fire departments in the Chicago’s south suburbs. Clinical assignments are assigned as students complete their health care requirements and given out on a first-come, first-served basis. The sooner students complete all requirements, the more likely they are to get their choice of clinical dates/times.
Potential careers in Emergency Medical Services
Moraine Valley鈥檚 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program prepares you for careers within the medical field. Many professionals use their work experience as a stepping stone to become nurses, physician assistants, doctors or firefighters.
Real stories of transfer success.
Begin your bachelor鈥檚 degree at Moraine Valley by taking the same general education and elective courses you鈥檇 complete in your first two years at a four-year school鈥攁t a lower cost. A.A. and A.S. degrees help you transfer smoothly, often with junior standing. Students follow the transfer guidelines of their intended university, supported by advisors who build a personalized academic plan.
Sheila Moran
Program Coordinator
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Faculty with real-world experience.
Your instructors don鈥檛 just teach the material, they鈥檝e worked in the field. With experience in counseling, treatment programs, and community outreach, they bring real examples and practical knowledge into every class. You鈥檒l learn what to expect and how to prepare for your first role in the field.
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Program Details
View the catalog to explore program requirements, a suggested course sequence and prerequisite information.
| Program | Type of Credential | Curriculum Code | Department or Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.A.S. | 1332 | Health Sciences |
Faculty Spotlight
Celebrating the passionate instructors who inspire, support, and engage our students every day inside and outside the classroom.
Dr. Martinez is passionate about helping students develop strong writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills that transfer across disciplines. Her courses emphasize clear expression, collaboration, and real-world communication.
鈥淟isa consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She creates an inclusive classroom environment where learners feel confident participating, improving, and finding their academic voice.鈥�
鈥� Colleague, Communications DepartmentDr. Martinez is passionate about helping students develop strong writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills that transfer across disciplines. Her courses emphasize clear expression, collaboration, and real-world communication.
鈥淟isa consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She creates an inclusive classroom environment where learners feel confident participating, improving, and finding their academic voice.鈥�
鈥� Colleague, Communications DepartmentDr. Martinez is passionate about helping students develop strong writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills that transfer across disciplines. Her courses emphasize clear expression, collaboration, and real-world communication.
鈥淟isa consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She creates an inclusive classroom environment where learners feel confident participating, improving, and finding their academic voice.鈥�
鈥� Colleague, Communications DepartmentDr. Martinez is passionate about helping students develop strong writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills that transfer across disciplines. Her courses emphasize clear expression, collaboration, and real-world communication.
鈥淟isa consistently goes above and beyond to support her students. She creates an inclusive classroom environment where learners feel confident participating, improving, and finding their academic voice.鈥�
鈥� Colleague, Communications Department
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