This entry-level course is the first step in the EMS career ladder, providing intensive training in the primary care of injuries, cardiac and respiratory emergencies, acute illnesses, childbirth and other urgent situations. A Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check is required for state licensing by MA OEMS after successful completion. Students who have concerns about licensing eligibility may request that the College run and review a CORI. This is the non-credit option of EMS 101.

Upon successful completion of the course and with the instructor’s recommendation, students are eligible to take the NREMT-Basic certification exam and then work for private or fire-based ambulance services or volunteer-based emergency services. Please note, this is a very intensive course with a lot of required reading. Many students state that they spend at least six (6) or more hours a week outside of class just on the reading assignments.

Class meets in person in the East Building of the GCC main campus on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-10 p.m. and some Saturdays from 9 a.m-5 p.m. There is a 100% attendance policy. EMT classes run in spring, fall and summer semesters. We only accept 30 students per semester.

There is a separate health requirement if you choose to schedule the optional hospital emergency department observation and/or the optional ambulance ride-a-long shift. You can get the form from the instructor and submit it during the final three weeks of class.

Upon successful completion of the course and with the instructor’s recommendation, students are eligible to take the NREMT-Basic certification exam and then work for private or fire based ambulance services or volunteer-based emergency services.

In the calendar year 2023, GCC’s Basic EMT students have maintained an 87% first-time pass rate for the NREMT exam.

• AHA BLS CPR certificate
• Students completing the course are eligible for the NREMT-Basic certification exam, then must apply for Massachusetts credentialing.

Massachusetts Regulations-105 CMR 170.910: Initial Certification

In order to be eligible to be certified as an EMT, a person must:

1. Be 18 years of age or older
2. Be free of any physical or mental disability or disease which could reasonably be expected to impair the ability to be an EMT, or which could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the health and safety of the patient
3. Meet the training requirements applicable to the level of certification for which the person is applying, as specified in 105 CMR 170.800
4. Successfully complete a Department-approved psychomotor examination (meeting the requirements of the NREMT) and the NREMT cognitive computer-based examination; and obtain NREMT certification

Additional Credentialing Fees

• $80 fee to be paid to GCC for the NREMT psychomotor exam (we hold the psychomotor certification exam here at GCC for our students)
• A $104 fee to be paid to the NREMT for certification; your first attempt at the computerized cognitive exam is covered by GCC (this fee is for any additional attempts to pass if needed, max of of six (6) attempts to pass).
• Once you have successfully completed your NREMT computerized cognitive exam and GCC psychomotor exam and are a Nationally Certified EMT (NREMT), you will then need to contact the state office of EMS in any state you plan to practice in and obtain that individual state’s license/certification. In Massachusetts the application fee is $150.

Technical Standards

Program applicants must:

• Be ambulatory and able to lift, carry and balance up to 100 pounds
• Be in sufficient physical condition so as to be able to bend, stoop, balance and crawl on even and uneven terrain
• Have the ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, extreme cold and moisture, at times under prolonged conditions
• Possess fine motor coordination and hand/eye/foot coordination required to perform technical and precise skills. Motor coordination may be defined as the ability to make a movement or response quickly and accurately
• Possess the visual acuity necessary to perform technical skills and to make precise discriminations
• Have sufficient verbal ability and auditory perception to be able to perform comprehensive patient assessment, management and transport
• Be able to effectively communicate with patients, bystanders and other health care providers. Communication involves speech, reading, writing, and awareness of emotional messages included in body language, tone and presentation.
• Have the emotional stability and maturity to exercise sound judgment while effectively completing patient care activities

Occupational Risks

Provision of emergency medical services poses inherent occupational risks for EMS responders. Risks include the following:

• Violence/assaults
• Verbal threats/aggression
• Motor vehicle crashes
• Infectious disease
• Lifting injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Psychological trauma
• Hazardous chemical exposure
• Hyper/hypothermia