BLUEFIELD, VA (WVNS) – Southwest Virginia Community College will offer its Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program in Bluefield, Virginia, beginning in August 2024.
The program is designed to serve students at the university’s Bluefield Center and provide them with an educational opportunity in emergency medical services that can be completed in a single semester.
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The EMT program is designed so that entry-level EMTs have the ability to provide basic out-of-hospital care. Once students complete the course, they will be eligible for National Registry testing and certification. Completion of the course leads to EMT certification in Virginia and most other states.
EMT training is incredibly valuable. We have had coal miners reach out because they need EMT and first aid training for their shifts. Additionally, medical school applicants often seek EMT certification to improve their chances of admission. Whether you are a coal miner or an aspiring doctor, this program benefits everyone.
William “Bill” Akers | Program Director
Students acquire a Certificate of Professional Studies upon completion. Coursework and training prepare students in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Students who complete the program will be prepared to perform current techniques in pre-hospital emergency care, evaluate and care for victims of traumatic incidents, and demonstrate basic life support skills.
They will also be trained to perform physical assessments on emergency patients and intervene in medical emergencies such as poisonings, drug overdoses and infectious diseases.
Career opportunities for students who complete the program include positions in ambulance services, hospitals, fire and rescue services and a variety of government agencies.
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Students may qualify for financial assistance. Residents of McDowell, Mercer, Summers and Greenbrier counties qualify for in-state tuition. Classes begin August 26, 2024 and will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 pm to 10 pm until December 20, 2024.
For more information about the EMT program at the Bluefield Center, contact Denver Riffe, Bluefield Site Coordinator, at 276-964-7787.
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