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Emergency Medical Technician - Basic**

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Academic Programs

Emergency Medical Technician - Basic** - Certificate (E95)

**This certificate is not currently offered.

Emergency Medical Training for both Basic and Paramedic levels is available through Mercy Medical Center or OSF St. Anthony's accredited programs. Contact the Emergency Departments of CGH Medical Center in Sterling or KSB Hospital in Dixon to register and coordinate the necessary clinical and field experience. Your local fire department also may have accredited training available. Students who successfully complete the course are eligible to take the Illinois or national licensure exams.

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) courses provide the opportunity to earn up to two certificates and the eligibility to become a licensed EMT in Illinois.

Individuals in Emergency Medical Services provide immediate care to critically ill or injured persons and may transport them to the hospital. They determine the nature and extent of the patient's condition. Following strict procedures, they give appropriate critical intervention and transport the patient. They administer drugs, lift and carry the patient on a stretcher to the ambulance and radio the patient's condition to medical personnel at the hospital. Other duties may include replacing supplies and inspecting and maintaining the ambulance and medical equipment.

Beyond these general duties, the specific responsibilities of EMTs and paramedics depend on their level of qualification and training. To determine this, the national Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) registers emergency medical service (EMS) providers at two levels: First Responder, EMT-Basic, and EMT - Paramedic. The EMT - Basic represents the first component of the emergency medical technician system. An EMT-B is trained to care for patients on accident scenes and on transport by ambulance to the hospital under medical direction. The EMT-B has the emergency skills to assess a patient's condition and manage respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies. EMT-Paramedics provide care already described, in addition they may administer drugs orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), and use monitors and other complex equipment.

Work and Employment

Emergency Medical Personnel work for private ambulance services, hospitals, and municipal fire, police or rescue squad departments.

Special Considerations

Formal training and certification is needed to become an EMT or paramedic. All 50 states possess a certification/licensure procedure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, US Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Public Health approves Sauk's program. To maintain certification/ licensure, EMTs and Paramedics must renew their license every 4 years. In order to maintain certification/ licensure an individual must be working and meet a continuing education requirement. Desirable personal qualities include responsibility, dependability, enjoyment in working with people and ability to work as a team member. It is essential to be able to make quick and levelheaded reactions to life-or-death situations. Emergency medical personnel are required to do considerable kneeling, bending and heavy lifting. The work is not only physically strenuous, but also stressful involving life-or-death situations and suffering patients. The work is challenging, but offers an opportunity to help others.

Admission Requirements

EMT-B/EMS 101

  1. Complete the College general admission procedure
  2. Provide prior to or on the first day of class:
    1. High School diploma or GED.
    2. Proof of age 18
    3. Copy of current Health Care Provider CPR card/CPR for Professional Rescuer card.

EMT-P/EMS 106

  1. Complete the College general admission procedure.
  2. Contact EMS office at 285-5560 or 285-5561
  3. Provide the following:
    1. Copy of current EMT-B or EMT-I license.
    2. Documented permission from a paramedic level ambulance service to provide precepted field experience.
    3. Health and immunization requirements will be detailed at the first class session.

Failure to meet admission requirements may result in dismissal.

Application Deadline

Before the first day of class.

Out-of-District Application

Sauk Valley Community College is required by law to give preference to in-district resident candidates. Out-of-district applicants will be considered if space is available.

Follow this link for career information.


Total Hours Required - 7 Hours

Major Field Requirements

  • EMS101

Program Recommendation

BIO 108 should be completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to certification. "C" grade is required in major field requirements.