Courtesy photo

Pictured, from left, Tabitha Hicks, Callie Herndon and Alex Blackburn, EMT students at Sampson Community College.

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The Sampson Community College Continuing Education Division is celebrating a huge milestone. The most recent Emergency Medical Technicians class has not only successfully completed the course, but also aced the state licensure exam. This is no small feat for first-time test takers, according to Richard Stephenson, Director of Emergency and Medical Training at SCC. “These students applied hard work and rigorous training hours to complete this course. I am also proud of their diligence and technical skills at the state level.”

The EMT represents the first response of the Emergency Medical System, and many residents of Sampson and surrounding counties rely on the care of these individuals in incidents such as automobile wrecks, heart attacks, slips and falls, childbirth and medical emergencies that require immediate attention. EMTs provide a vital service as they care for and transport the sick and injured to the hospital. “They are truly an extension of the emergency room professionals,” adds Stephenson.

The EMT curriculum at SCC spans six months and is based on 192 hours of course work. In addition to the classroom instruction, the EMT students practice patient care skills during simulation while performing supervised clinical rotations in the hospital and with the local Emergency Services units. ““We teach a comprehensive curriculum that prepares these students to provide critical care for those in need of immediate medical attention,” adds Stephenson.

Upon completion of the EMT Training Program at SCC, the students have to pass the written examination administered by the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services to receive their license. All 50 states require EMTs to be licensed.

According to Stephenson, many of his students are also volunteer firefighters and rescue volunteers in their local community. “Our students are committed to their communities and often times pursue careers locally upon completion of their licensure.” The future is bright for these outstanding graduates as all of them have achieved gainful employment locally. One of the EMT graduates is going one step further in the healthcare field and has entered the Nursing Curriculum at SCC.

Stephenson says while his students’ success is a huge accomplishment for the department, he is committed to maintaining the momentum. Another EMT Class will be offered January 2012. For more information, contact Richard Stephenson at 910-592-7176 or visit www.sampsoncc.edu.