Hands-on learning.
Develop the skills and gain confidence for a career in emergency medical services.
Moraine Valley’s Emergency Medical Services Program is for individuals who want to go into the public or private sector as emergency medical technicians. It also can be an alternative career path for those in the fire science field. The purpose of the EMS-101 and the paramedic programs are to prepare students to meet the requirements of the Illinois Department of Public Health for licensure.
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Turn passion into a Career in Emergency Medical Services
The emerging of pre-hospital emergency medical services has created a demand for professionally trained, highly qualified healthcare workers to deliver specialized care.
This program includes an emergency medical technician course and a Paramedic Certificate Program.
With an EMT certificate, you can begin a career providing emergency medical care as part of a first-response team. EMTs are often the first on the scene, delivering basic life support in homes, public spaces, workplaces and during transport in ambulances while helping stabilize patients before they reach a medical facility.
This certification opens the door to a variety of roles in emergency services and also can serve as a stepping stone to advanced training as a paramedic or other healthcare careers.
Before entering the Paramedic Certificate Program, students must complete the eight (8) credit hour EMS-101, emergency medical technician course. Emergency medical technician and paramedic credentials also can be an alternative career path for those presently working in the fire science field.
The Emergency Medical Services Certificate at Moraine Valley is designed to be completed in about one semester.
This program provides instruction for students to become an emergency medical technician. The program emphasizes skills necessary to provide entry-level emergency medical care. Students will complete 50 hours of clinical experience, which is included in the program requirements. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians written examination.
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 handwritten 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 (2) hours in a cadaver lab.
Clinical assignments are staggered throughout the semester and scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis
Clinical Requirements
Before clinical 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 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 its Workforce Development and Community Services Department (course number AH8-039). For more information on CPR for Healthcare Providers, please contact Syreeta Brown, senior program manager, at (708) 608-4247. Students are financially responsible for the required CPR training.
- 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 of 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: 好色先生 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 screen before clinical assignment. Unsuccessful completion of the drug screen requirement will prohibit a student from receiving an assignment. Students may not repeat a failed drug screen within the same semester. Students may take the drug screen at the facility of their choice; however, it must be a 10-panel drug screen. 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: $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 好色先生 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 Chicago’s south suburbs. Clinical assignments are assigned as students complete their healthcare requirements and are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. The sooner a student completes all requirements, the more likely students are to get their choice of clinical dates/times.
Completion of the course prepares the student to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam for EMT or paramedic.
- Emergency Medical Technician: After passing the examination, the student is licensed as an emergency medical technician to provide basic life support in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health Emergency Medical Services Act.
- Paramedic: The 40-credit-hour program prepares an emergency medical technician to meet license standards to function as an advanced life support provider or paramedic in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health Emergency Medical Services Act.
Accreditation
The 好色先生 Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs () upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for EMS Professions ().
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 210-2350
The paramedic training program is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services.
Illinois Department of Public Health
525 West Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62761
Phone: (217) 782-4977
Fax: (217) 782-3987
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 1333 | Health Sciences |
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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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