HEAL 161: Emergency Medical Technician - Basic

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2023
Credits: 7
Total Contact Hours: 162
Lecture Hours : 108
Lab Hours: 54
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 216
Total Student Learning Hours: 378
Prerequisite: HEAL 100 or concurrent enrollment.
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
Transferable to CSU: No
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

The entry-level course in emergency training for those involved in Emergency Medical Services. 108 lecture hours, 54 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • meet the minimal qualifications for L.A. County certification as an EMT-Basic
  • meet the minimal qualification set by the American Red Cross for a CPR card
  • demonstrate and apply knowledge of the role and responsibilities of the emergency technician
  • demonstrate and apply knowledge of the use and care of emergency equipment including electrocardiogram
  • demonstrate and apply knowledge of the operation and maintenance of an ambulance
  • demonstrate and apply knowledge of safe transportation of the sick and injured
  • demonstrate and apply knowledge of crowd control, dispatching and record maintenance
  • demonstrate knowledge of basic anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and interpretation of diagnostic signs and symptoms
  • define safe, ethical and legal responsibilities of the EMT-1A in compliance with Los Angeles county's scope of practice

Major Course Content

  1. Triage
  2. Legal Aspects of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
  3. Topographic Anatomy
  4. Initial and Secondary Assessment with Practicum
  5. Medical Problems - Airway Adjustments with Practicum
  6. Cardiovascular System - Medical Problems, CPR with Practicum, Perform 12 Lead Electrocardiogram
  7. Pediatric Emergencies - Assessment of the Infant/Child; Airway Emergencies, Communicable Disease, Pediatric, CPR with Practicum including use of Broselow tape
  8. Medical Emergencies - Abdominal/Diabetes Poisoning, Drug/Alcohol with Practice Scenario, the Unconscious Patient
  9. Nervous System - CVA Seizures, Neuro Assessment with Scenario, Use of Glascow Coma Scale
  10. Basic Trauma Life Support: Field Evaluation with Skills Review Practicum
  11. Chest Injuries: Immobilization of the Fail Chest, Tension Pneumothorax and Pericardial Tamponade with Practicum
  12. Head and Spinal Trauma Management with Shock, Bleeding Control and Practicum
  13. M.A.S.T. Suit and Application
  14. I.V. Therapy Assistance with Practicum
  15. Burns, Dressing Open Evisceration Wounds, Extremity Trauma with Practicum
  16. Obstetrical Trauma, Environmental Traumas with Practicum
  17. Crisis Intervention
  18. The Ambulance - Driving Codes, EMS Reports, Extrication with Practicum

Lab Content

  1. Students will complete basic medical and trauma assessments on manikins and each other.
  2. Students will defibrillate manikins using defibrillator trainers.
  3. Students will complete cervical spine immobilization using backboards and Cervical collars.
  4. Students will ventilate using the bag-valve-mask device.
  5. Students will perform CPR, adult, child and infant.
  6. Students will read and interpret pulse oxygen readings using the pulse oximeter device.
  7. Students will inject epinephrine using auto injector trainers.
  8. Students will splint suspected fractures.
  9. Students will inflate the anti shock garment.
  10. Students will suction adult, child, infant airways using a variety of suction devices.

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Student text book

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Student will complete a 3-5 page report/paper (APA format) on a health career, including description of position, three schools who offer training, and salary for position. Additionally, students must submit a written current resume and goal sheet showing their immediate career goal, 3 year goal and 5 year goal achievement.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Topic area Airway:
1. List four factors of breathing that must be assessed when determining whether a patient’s breathing is adequate. 2. List and describe four sounds that may indicate airway obstruction. 3. List the eight signs of adequate breathing. 4. List, in order of preference, four methods of providing positive pressure ventilations to patients.
Review real-life emergency scenarios. Answer questions and describe the appropriate response.

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Lecture, Online Education Lab, Online Education Lecture