Emergency Medical Services

An EMT License is a logical starting point for anyone interested in working or volunteering in EMS or the Fire Service. EMTs are trained in medical patient assessment, basic airway management, trauma assessment and management, limited medication administration, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED). This course is the starting point for students planning to go on to the Paramedic level. For students who want to be EMT licensed but are not planning to go on to further EMT or paramedic courses, these courses (ES131 and ES132, and their labs) can be taken alone. (For financial aid eligibility, students may be required to also enroll in other classes associated with the EMT Pathway Certificate program or the AAS in Paramedicine Degree). Registering for this course requires completion of an online Registration Process, but is not competitive-entry and students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Local Employment
Locally, EMTs work primarily for private ambulance services, although there are also some opportunities as Emergency Department Technicians. Openings are limited, and hiring processes are very competitive. Starting pay is generally $17-$20/ hour.

EMT Job Description
An EMT serves as a primary care provider in pre-hospital settings, offering basic life support, patient assessment, airway management, and the use of automated defibrillators. EMTs may also assist with medications and must drive the ambulance safely, familiar with local roads. In some settings, EMTs support paramedics.

Key responsibilities include understanding legal, ethical, and moral aspects of emergency services. EMTs must commit to continuous learning and maintaining licensure.

Characteristics of an EMT

• Confidence in handling responsibility
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to function in unpredictable, high-stress environments
• Calm under pressure
• Strong verbal communication
• Adaptability in multicultural, potentially high-stress situations
• Critical thinking and reasoning skills
• Self-motivated

To become a fully licensed paramedic in Oregon, students must possess an associate degree or higher. Rogue Community College offers multiple pathways for students to complete their paramedic education, either by earning a degree or building on an existing one. For personalized guidance, speak with an Emergency Services Advisor to develop a pathway that aligns with your prior experiences and future goals.

The application to the paramedic course (the final year of the program) is a competitive entry process. Students are selected based on experience, GPA, and program readiness, which are assessed through an application, written test, interview, and scenario-based evaluation.

Applicants must be licensed as an Oregon EMT and should be experienced and confident in their EMT-level skills before applying for the paramedic course. Paramedic training builds on EMT skills and includes advanced airway management, intravenous therapy, ECG interpretation, emergency medication administration, and a deeper understanding of various disease and injury processes and their management.

Local Employment
Paramedics are the highest-paid licensed position in the EMS profession with local entry-level salaries starting around $65,000- $77,000 per year. Many graduates find initial employment with private ambulance services, fire departments, or in hospitals as Emergency Department Technicians. Additional training and certifications (Firefighter, Critical Care, Flight Paramedic, etc.) often provide opportunities for additional jobs and higher wages.A paramedic functions as the most extensively trained primary care provider in the pre-hospital setting. The paramedic is responsible for all aspects of care provided to the sick and injured. The paramedic provides both basic and advanced life support, including comprehensive patient assessment, invasive airway management, cardiac monitoring and administration of medications. The paramedic is frequently in a leadership role working with a small team of lesser-trained pre-hospital care providers. The paramedic is responsible for verbal communication with the patient, other pre-hospital providers and hospital personnel, including physician medical directors.

Characteristics of a Paramedic

• Confident leadership and decision-making skills
• Ability to prioritize and act swiftly in patient care
• Independence in dynamic, fast-changing environments
• Calmness and focus in stressful situations
• Effective communication and team leadership
• Advanced technical skills and medical knowledge
• Adaptability in multicultural, emotionally charged settings
• Critical reasoning and math skills
• Self-motivated

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) two-term pathway certificate offers career training for entry-level personnel in EMT. Successful completion of the EMT course leads to eligibility to sit for the state and National Registry EMT exams. Successful completion of the curriculum leads to a two-term RCC pathway certificate and the ability to apply for positions as an EMT in hospital emergency departments and ambulance services. It is also the minimum requirement for some firefighter positions.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Placement Process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading, and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined through the Placement Process.

The ES131 (EMT Course) requires the completion of a pre-entrance application which includes vaccinations, a background and drug screen. Information is available on the EMS Application Process web page or at the Emergency Services (ES) Department office located at the RCC Table Rock Campus. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an ES Department advisor prior to beginning any coursework.

Students must be at least 17 years old to apply to the EMT course. Students must be a high school graduate or have a GED or equivalent to be eligible to sit for the state and National Registry EMT exams. In addition, students will be required to complete all screening requirements outlined in OAR 409-030-0190 and additional RCC requirements.

For more detailed course information, visit the EMT Career Pathways Certificate Program Map.

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) three-term certificate program offers career training for entry-level personnel in EMT. Successful completion of the EMT course leads to eligibility to sit for the state and National Registry EMT exams. This program is ideal for students who plan to go on to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Paramedicine. Students not interested in the paramedic level may wish to consider the EMT Career Pathway certificate.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Placement Process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading, and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined through the Placement Process.

This program requires an application and satisfaction of certain course admission criteria prior to enrolling in the EMT courses ES 131 and ES 132. Information is available on the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department website or at the Emergency Services Department office located at the RCC Table Rock Campus. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Emergency Services Department advisor prior to beginning any coursework.

Students must be at least 17 years old to apply to the EMT course. Students must be a high school graduate or have a GED or equivalent for certification. In addition, students must complete all screening requirements outlined in OAR 409-030-0190 and additional RCC requirements or clinical site requirements.

For more detailed course information, visit the Emergency Medical Services Certificate Program Map.

The Advanced Emergency Care four-term certificate program offers career training for entry-level personnel who have already completed their EMT training and have an associate or higher-level degree. Like the AAS Emergency Services degree described above, this path does not require the Anatomy & Physiology series (BI231=233) but is recommended. 

Entry Requirements

• Oregon EMT license and an associate degree or higher.
• Application and specific course admission criteria must be met.
• Completion of all screening requirements as outlined in OAR 409-030-0190.

For more detailed course information, visit the Advanced Emergency Care Certificate Program Map.

This is the recommended path for students who are considering other health care careers in the near future and want paramedicine to be a part of that healthcare path. The Anatomy and Physiology series, along with biology,  establishes a foundation and level of understanding which is very helpful in understanding physiology, pathophysiology, disease and injury profiles, drug actions and interactions, and more. This pathway is ideal for students who in the next five years, envision moving towards critical and flight care, nursing, physician assistant, or medical school.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Placement Process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading, and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined through the Placement Process.

This program requires an application and satisfaction of certain course admission criteria prior to enrolling in paramedic courses. Information is available on the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department website or at the Emergency Services Department office located at the RCC Table Rock Campus. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Emergency Services Department advisor prior to beginning any coursework.

Students must be at least 17 years old to apply to the EMT course. Students must be high school graduates or have a GED or equivalent for certification. In addition, students will be required to complete all screening requirements outlined in OAR 409-030-0190 and additional RCC requirements.

For more detailed course information, visit the Paramedicine AAS Program Map.

This pathway is ideal for fire and EMT apprentices, fire science majors, or individuals seeking to enhance their skills for industry jobs; this degree provides a potentially shorter pathway to paramedic certification and licensure that does not require the Anatomy & Physiology series (BI231-233). As such, there may be better choices for students who plan to move on to other healthcare careers in the future, as outlined in the traditional paramedicine pathway.

This pathway does allow options to complete some Fire Science courses while focusing on paramedic during the second year.

Entry Requirements

• Completion of the Placement Process to determine readiness for math, reading, and writing coursework.
• Review program requirements with an advisor, as some courses require special admission.
• Students must be 17 years or older to apply and meet the screening requirements outlined in OAR 409-030-0190.

For more detailed course information, visit the Emergency Services AAS Program Map.

If your goal is to be a professional firefighter/paramedic, the best qualification you can obtain is to earn both degrees. A dedicated full-time student who is well-prepared at the start can potentially complete both degrees in 3 years, but it is also possible to build a plan to pursue both degrees over a longer period.

Meet with one of our department advisors to discuss the details if you are interested in this option.