EMT Program

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CLASS DESCRIPTION

EMT 093 – Emergency Medical Technician (9 units)

Prerequisite: EMT 100 with a grade of “B” or better

This course is designed to certify students as a National Registry and State of California emergency medical technician (EMT), and gain employment as an ambulance EMT, hospital emergency department EMT, or event staff EMT. After successful completion of this course, students will be approved to take the National Registry EMT cognitive examination and then request certification as an EMT through the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency or other local EMS accrediting agencies in California. Topics discussed include pre-hospital care terminology, cardiovascular emergencies, emergency childbirth, communicable disease transmission, extrication tools and equipment, tactical casualty care, automatic external defibrillation, and the EMS system. To participate in this course students must pass a background check, EMT medical physical that includes vaccination verification, and a 10-panel drug screen.

Hours: 126 Lecture. 108 Lab.

Student will receive training on:

    • Roles & Responsibilities of the EMT
    • Understanding of the Emergency Medical System
    •        Extrication Tools and Equipment
    •        Automatic External Defibrillation
    •        Cardiovascular Emergencies
    • Communicable Diseases
    • Pre-hospital Care Terminology
    • Anatomy & Physiology of the Human Body
    • Patient Assessment
    • Pre-hospital Treatment
    • Communications & Documentation

IMPORTANT MESSAGES

  • The COVID-19 vaccination is highly recommended but no longer required to enroll in EMT 093.

GENERAL INFORMATION

When are EMT 093 courses offered?

We offer seven (7) EMT 093 courses each academic year. Three (3) during Spring, three (3) during Fall, and one (1) during Summer. You must first be a registered student at Rio Hondo College. The application process is online, and it is free! It only takes a few minutes to apply. Go to www.riohondo.edu and click “get started” on the home page to apply.

How long is an EMT 093 course?

We currently offer 8- and 16-week EMT courses. 8-week courses meet Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 16-week courses meet Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All courses are 9-units and are structured like a paramilitary academy. These courses are 15- or 30-hours of in-class instruction each week depending on the format. In addition, you will have approximately 15-30 hours of homework each week. All courses require the completion of 40 hours of field experience that will be scheduled in a hospital emergency department (ED) and/or ride-along on an ambulance.

Am I required to take a drug test and background check?

Yes, to both. You will need to take a urine drug test that looks for use of ten (10) different drugs (including marijuana). You will also need to have a background check completed. Both must be completed by our contracted partner (CastleBranch). You are not permitted to complete these anywhere else.

Where do the EMT 093 courses meet?

EMT 093 courses meet 100% in-person at the Rio Hondo College Fire Academy in Santa Fe Springs. The address is 11400 Greenstone Avenue, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670.

Are there any special requirements to enroll in the EMT 093 course?

  • You must be 18 years of age before the first day of the EMT 093 course you enroll in.
  • The prerequisite course is EMT 100. This course must be completed before you can take EMT 093. 
  • You can take EMT 100 before you are 18 years of age. We offer twelve of these courses each year that meet on different days and times. Most are 16-week courses and meet one day per week. There are some more accelerated courses offered that meet for either four-, five- or eight-weeks during the academic year. If you take one of the accelerated courses, be prepared to work very hard since they move very fast.
  • If you have completed a college-level anatomy & physiology, or other healthcare related course, it is possible the EMT 100 course perquisite can be waived. It would require a review of your transcripts by the EMT Program Director and Fire Technology counselor to determine if the course is acceptable.
  • A current AHA BLS Provider CPR eCard is required to enter EMT 093. If you complete EMT 100 with us, you will receive an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Provider CPR eCard that is valid for two years from date of issue. 
  • EMT 093 is a 9-unit course, and it is extremely demanding. If possible, you should not take any other courses during EMT 093. If you work, you will need to limit your work and outside activity hours the best you can. You will be in class for 15-30 hours per week and need to study an additional 15-30 hours a week outside of class. This course is a huge commitment of time and effort.
  • To take EMT 093 and become a certified EMT, you will need to successfully complete a background check. It is possible that certain criminal history can either delay or prohibit your ability to become a certified EMT.
  • You are required to pass a 10-panel drug test to enter the EMT 093 course. Marijuana use is one of the ten drugs tested for. Please do not smoke or consume marijuana if you are planning to take EMT 093.
  • You are required to wear a specific uniform and follow strict grooming standards while taking EMT 093. It is structured like an academy and follows a paramilitary organization structure.

What is the cost of becoming an EMT at Rio Hondo College?

For the cost breakdown of becoming an EMT, CLICK HERE.

After successful completion of this course, students will be authorized to take the National Registry EMT examination.

EMT Program Director

Scott Jaeggi

(562) 941-4082