Program Director: Danny Sheckles
Office: Roane State Health Sciences Center
Email address: shecklesdm@roanestate.edu
Office Telephone: 865-539-6904
Fax 865-539-6907
Mailing Address: Roane State Health Sciences Center, 132 Hayfield Road, Knoxville, TN 37922


WHO ARE EMTS AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
EMTs help treat people who need emergency medical care. Automobile accident injuries, heart attacks, near drownings, unscheduled childbirths and gunshot wounds all demand urgent medical attention. Emergency Medical Technicians, or EMTs as they are commonly called, give this immediate care.

WHERE DO EMTS WORK?
As an EMT, you will generally work for ambulance or rescue services or fire, police, safety or health agencies. A few EMTS are employed by private businesses such as oil companies, medical flight companies, schools and amusement parks.

WHAT ARE THE WORKING CONDITIONS LIKE?
As an EMT, you will spend the majority of the time on your feet and you may work long hours. Because emergency services function 24 hours a day, EMTs and paramedics have irregular working hours that often add to job stress. Generally, EMTs and paramedics employed by a fire department will work shifts just as the firefighters do. The most common is 24 hours on with 48 hours off. EMTs and paramedics employed by fire departments work about 50 hours a week. Those employed by hospitals frequently work between 45-60 hours a week, and those in private ambulance services, between 45-50 hours.

EMTs and paramedics work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. They are required to do considerable kneeling, bending and heavy lifting. These workers risk noise-induced hearing loss from sirens and back injuries from lifting patients. In addition, EMTs and paramedics may be exposed to diseases such as Hepatitis B and AIDS, as well as violence from drug overdose victims or psychologically disturbed patients. The work is not only physically strenuous but also stressful, involving life-or-death situations and suffering patients. Nonetheless, many people find the work exciting and challenging and enjoy the opportunity to help others.

LICENSURE
Once you have successfully completed the EMT Course at RSCC, you must then pass the National Registry of EMT practical and written examinations to earn your state EMT license. This license is required for you to work as an EMT in the State of Tennessee. Once you have become a licensed EMT, you can then go on to paramedic school. At Roane State, the training to be a paramedic will take 3 semesters (1 calendar year). 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO EARN AS AN EMT?

Your salary as an EMT-IV will depend greatly on the region of the country where you work. According to the most recent survey conducted by The Journal of Emergency Medical Care, Rescue and Transportion, Tennessee EMT-IV salary ranges are as follows, $25,500-$37,000 per year.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE PROFESSION?
This job is one that is expected to grow rapidly through the year 2005 due to population growth (especially of the elderly) that will lead to greater demand for emergency medical services. Opportunities will be best in municipal governments and private ambulance services.

TELL ME ABOUT ROANE STATE’S EMT PROGRAM
You have 3 options to complete the EMT program:
Option 1 (for people with little or no medical background)
1st semester - First Responder (EMT 109)
2nd semester - EMT Accelerated (EMT 162)

Option 2 (for people with little or no medical background)
1st semester - EMT Basic, part 1 (this is only offered in the fall) (EMT 160)
2nd semester - EMT Basic, part 2 (EMT 161)

Option 3 (for people with some medical background and/or related college level courses completed)
EMT Accelerated - 1 semester (EMT 162)




WHERE WOULD MY CLASSES BE LOCATED?
Roane State Health sciences center in West Knoxville, 132 Hayfield Road, Knoxville, TN 37922, as well as at the Loudon County Campus, Scott County Campus, Roane County Campus, Cumberland County Campus.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO ENTER THE ROANE STATE EMT PROGRAM?
Prerequisites for Acceptance into Program: (for all Options)
• High school diploma or GED (A special ed diploma or certificate of attendance will NOT meet this requirement)
• Acceptance by RSCC (To be accepted by Roane State, you will have to provide proof of 2 MMR shots and provide transcripts from any high school or college you have attended in a SEALED, UNOPENED envelope.)
• Health Care Provider Level CPR certification. (If you need this training, Roane State Continuing Ed Department offers this. Call 865-539-6904 for times. The cost is approximately $50) 

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO ENROLL IN THE EMT PROGRAM AT ROANE STATE?
1. Submit an application for general admission to RSCC and pay a one-time $20 application fee. You can do this at any one of Roane State's seven campuses.

2. Apply for entrance into the program by completing an EMT application and submitting it to the Health Sciences/NSG department before the program deadline date of the year for which you wish to enter the program. You can fill out the application at any of Roane State's seven campuses and we will submit it for you.

3. If you were born after 1957 or you have a GED certificate, you will need to submit proof of two MMR shots to the Office of Records and Registration. However, if you graduated from a Tennessee high school after 1978 and have attended schools in Tennessee all your life, you only need proof of one shot. (The first MMR shot is assumed.) If you graduated from a Tennessee high school in 1999 or 2000, you do not need to submit any form. (The MMR shots would have been given before you entered the 12th grade.)

4. Submit an OFFICIAL transcript from all high school(s) or college(s) you have attended to the Office of Records and Registration. An official transcript is one that is in an unopened, sealed envelope from the high school or college.

5. Students are selected for the program based on:
• Having a completed student file in the Records and Registration Office.
• Acceptance to RSCC