Are you looking for a path to a fast-paced career that has you helping others and saving lives? Look no further than ACC’s Emergency Medical Services Department.

The EMS department has a few certificate options and one-degree program, enabling students to cater their educational needs towards their desired career goal.

Unsure if you are interested in emergency medicine? ACC has recently created an Emergency Medical Responder course (EMS 115) that can be counted as an elective credit. This is a great opportunity for students to have an introduction to the paramedic profession, without taking a full course load of degree specific classes. EMS 115 is open to students 16 and over, which helps dual enrolled students get interested in participating in the medical field.

“Get them while they’re young,” said Department Chair Bill Spialek with a smile, “the EMR class will help [students] know if they want to seek a career in emergency medicine.”

Spialek is backed by 27 years of paramedic experience and is a former combat medic. He clearly wants his students to understand the demands of the profession, and he wants them to succeed.

Part of this is evidenced by the mandatory orientation for all newly registered EMS students that is intended to be an eye opening experience so students have a chance to make an informed decision before classes begin.

“It’s not all about the trauma,” quipped Spialek, elaborating that there are often psychiatric or emotional hurdles on a call, on top of the medical aspect of the profession.

The program is designed to enable clinical and hands-on experience so that students can confidently transition into their chosen career. ACC partners with HealthONE EMS to ensure students get the most relevant education possible. A portion of courses are offered at the HealthONE EMS campus located near Hampden and Broadway and are taken in addition to the required ACC courses.

There are a few choices for certificates, and they each offer a different outcome. The best plan for interested students would be to figure out their career plans, and choose the pathway that is right for them.

The EMT Certificate will teach you the necessary skills to apply for a number of positions, including work in an emergency department or for ski patrols.

The EMT-Enhanced Certificate is designed to give students the field experience required to apply for the Paramedicine AAS degree or Paramedic certificate programs. This certificate will increase a student’s career options because of IV and EKG certifications that are required work in some emergency departments. The enhanced certificate pathway meets the requirements for the GI Bill and Financial Aid and is the best option for students who wish to enter into paramedicine as a lifetime career.

In addition to the experienced gained through coursework and labs, the EMS department collaborates with the Law Enforcement Academy and the Nursing program to conduct Multiple Casualty Incident training exercises. These MCI events are held four times over the Spring and Fall semesters and provide essential real-time training on how to handle patients at the scene, emergency transport practice, and how to brief the intake nurses on the patient’s condition upon arrival to the hospital. The entire event is held on ACC campus and each department has a set of goals for its students to achieve during the exercise.

For more information about any of the certificates offered by the EMS department, call 303-797-5889 or email [email protected] to set up an appointment.