Emergency Medical Technician

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Delivery: A mix of daytime, evening, and blended online courses.
Start: Fall, Spring, or Summer.

About the Program

This certificate delivers the new National EMS Educational Standards adopted by the state of Minnesota for Emergency Medical Technician education requirements. This certificate will prepare the entry-level Emergency Medical Technician for direct employment in an emergency ambulance service, basic transport service, emergency room, police department, security department, or fire department. Completion of the EMT course prepares the student for the National Registry of EMT examination. Successful completion of the National Registry exam is recognized by the State of Minnesota to generate the state certification required to work as an EMT in Minnesota.

This Certificate provides a perfect exit point for the student who is not intending to continue through all stages of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program to the paramedic level, or for currently certified paramedics desiring a credential. It formalizes the successful completion of basic life support (BLS) coursework. Additionally, should the student elect to proceed with the Associate in Applied Science in Public Safety Degree, this certificate completes one of the specialty tracks.

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Cost & Financial Aid

As a two-year public community and technical college, Century College receives funding from the State of Minnesota, keeping tuition rates significantly lower than private colleges and universities. With affordable tuition rates and financial aid and scholarship opportunities, our students avoid student loan debt.

Financial Aid

Century College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our programs qualify for financial aid including grants, loans, and college work-study. Eligibility for financial aid is determined annually based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Century College’s Federal School Code is 010546.

Scholarship Opportunities

Each year, the Century College Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to Century College students involved in several areas of study. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.

Tuition Cost per Credit Comparison: Century College $212.29, UMN-TC $555.13, Private Colleges
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Five paramedics working on a CPR manikin.

Potential Job Titles

Student wearing an EMS uniform working with an injured patient.
  • Emergency Medical Technician

Salary Data

Emergency Medical Technicians
Average Wage: $12.35 - 22.35/hour
Top Earners: $28.84/hour

Information gathered pertains to the seven-county metro area - careerwise.minnstate.edu

Prerequisites

  1. Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950 with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940 with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950 with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090 with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051 with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052 with a grade of C or higher.
  2. The National Registry of EMT examination testing requires a minimum age of 18.
  3. Proof of current/unexpired American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider (CPR) card is required prior to the end of the EMT course. The AHA BLS for the Healthcare Provider (CPR) course (EMS 1010) may be taken concurrently with the EMT course.
  4. Students must successfully pass the MN Human Services Department and Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB) background studies with no restrictions to be approved to participate in required clinicals.
  5. Students must be able to perform physical tasks to complete course requirements.

Additional Requirements

Completion of EMSB 1020 with a grade of C or higher is required to sit for the National Registry for the EMT exams and to be awarded the certificate.

Licensure

The EMS program at Century is licensed to teach EMR, EMT, and Paramedic curriculum by the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board.

    Program Faculty

  • Lynda Goerisch
    Faculty/EMS & EMT Program Director
    Emergency Medical Services
    E 1242A
    651-773-1720
  • Experience: Kim has been a full-time instructor since 1997, with extensive experience in clinical education, remediation, and assessment. In addition, she has been in EMS since 1987, with volunteer and work experiences in both rural and metro ambulance services, a police department, and a fire department. Kim continues to work as a paramedic for Healtheast Medical Transportation.
    Education: MA, Organizational Leadership, Bethel University
    Hobbies: photography, travel
    Kim Schmitzer
    Faculty/Paramedic Program Director/Clinical Coordinator
    Bio
    Emergency Medical Services
    E 2297
    651-779-5798
  • Experience: Dr. Caulkins has been teaching at Century for over 26 years and has been a practicing paramedic for that same length of time. With experience in firefighting, leadership, public health, education, research, and public safety, Dr. Caulkins is well-equipped to educate students on a wide variety of topics. Dr. Caulkins meets the MinnState qualification standards to teach in emergency medical services, health, health sciences, education, public safety, and anthropology.
    Teaching Approach: My personal philosophy of education is fairly eclectic and crosses several teaching philosophies. I believe that it is helpful, if not essential, that the teacher is a master/expert. I believe the teacher’s role is to cultivate knowledge and wisdom. The teacher is also a guide to lead the student through the educational process. Sometimes leading requires the teacher to be flexible in becoming a facilitator by establishing guidelines and boundaries. Sometimes the role is of a mediator. A teacher is also a learner and learning is reciprocal between the student and teacher. Learners are there to listen, observe, and receive knowledge but are also active participants.
    Education: Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration, St. Cloud State; Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Metropolitan State University; Master of Public Health, American Military University; Graduate Certificate in Career and Technical Education, University of Minnesota; Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies with a Focus on the Anthropology of Disaster, Metropolitan State University; Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services, American College of Prehospital Medicine; Associate of Arts, Inver Hills Community College; Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic Technology, Century College; Diploma, Paramedic Technician, Northeast Metro Technical College; Certificate, Community Paramedic Clinician, Hennepin Technical College
    Notable: Co-developed an emergency response plan that was used at the 35W bridge collapse and later adopted statewide.Traveled across the U.S. as an accreditation site visitor to review paramedic education programs.Participated in writing questions for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians credentialling test bank.Developed three two-year degree programs and dozens of courses.Internationally recognized suicidologist and researcher.Numerous publications including research papers, articles, books, and book chapters.Owner of a private consulting business, Caulkins Consulting, LLC.One of only six people nationwide accepted into the Emergency Medical Services for Children Scholars Program, which is led by the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.
    Hobbies: Travel, Reading, Learning
    Chris Caulkins
    Faculty
    Bio
    Emergency Medical Services
    E 1242B
    651-779-5743

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