Program Director: Tom Jones
Office: Multi-Purpose Building, Room 245
Phone: (409) 839-2078
E-mail: emt@lit.edu
Medical Directors: Michael N. Amsden, M.D.; Robby Eaves, D.O., FACEP

The Emergency Medical Services Program offers academic and work force training (continuing education) curricula designed for people who desire to work in the field of emergency medicine.

LIT’s initial EMS courses prepare students for the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) certification and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Once a student successfully completes requirements for the National Registry, he or she may become certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services. EMS students may successfully exit the program at any one of three levels of DSHS certification: Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B), EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I), EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P).

Lamar Institute of Technology offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic, a certificate of completion in EMT-Paramedic, or EMT and a marketable skills certificate. Individuals interested in the AAS in EMT-Paramedic must 1) meet with the program director; 2) take the WorkKeys Reading exam and score a Level 5; 3) complete the COMPASS® reading exam and pass with an 81 or higher; and 4) pass a criminal background check. Students scoring below the required Level 5 must see the EMS program director. Individuals interested in the certificate of completion or AAS degree must take the post WorkKeys™ exams. Students scoring below the required Level 5 must see the EMS program director.

A Marketable Skills Award is available for students that complete EMSP 1501 and EMSP 1160 college credit courses. Students successfully complete the non-credit work force courses (EMSP 1001 and EMSP 1060) may apply for credit and be eligible for the Marketable Skills Award.

All students must pass a criminal background check to continue in the program. Criminal background checks are conducted by the EMS Program during the first week of the course. If the student fails the criminal background check he or she will not be able to participate in clinical rotations. The clinical agencies used by LIT are required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations to ensure that personnel having contact with patients be free of any past or present criminal behavior that might jeopardize the welfare of the patient or personnel.

Students enrolled in the program attend EMS classes on campus and in the community. They must also complete clinical rotations and field internships at area hospitals and Advanced Life Support/Mobile Intensive Care Unit Ambulance Services. The EMS program has recently implemented a mentoring program in the Advanced Clinical Courses.

Certification/licensure is not automatic. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) administers all certification examinations upon completion of a DSHS-recognized educational program. Completion of the LIT EMS Program does not guarantee eligibility for DSHS certification/licensure. Certification exams are now administered at the LIT Testing Center. Please call (409) 880-8687 for an appointment. For testing and registration information for the COMPASS® or WorkKeys exam, contact the LIT Testing Center at (409) 880-8687 or go to the Lamar Institute of Technology Web site, www.lit.edu.