VGCC recognizes 15 Graduates of EMT-Paramedic Training
Vance-Granville Community College honored nine men and six women who completed the college’s year-long Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program on July 30.
Graduates included Nathaniel Hinds of Apex; Jessica Blackwell and Jodie Edwards, both of Creedmoor; Ashley Harris of Durham; Doyle Carpunky and Toni Ellis, both of Henderson; Hunter Crowder of Knightdale; Eric Brogden of Norlina; Brandon Joostema of Oxford; Matt Harrison of Raleigh; Crystal Long of Stem; Jeb Bailey and Allison Branch, both of Wake Forest; Brandan Perkinson of Yanceyville; and Tyler Selak of Youngsville.
Vivian Loyd, a Registered Nurse and Paramedic Level I instructor, was the instructor for the class.
According to Randy Owen, Coordinator/Instructor of Fire/Rescue Programs and interim Coordinator/Instructor of EMS Programs at VGCC, the group of graduates was the first to take classes over the past 12 months on a new daytime “flip-flop” schedule, which he deemed a success. “This schedule was geared toward people who are already employed in the field, sometimes working 24-hour shifts,” Owen said. “The result was that this class had high levels of retention and completion, and we are proud to salute these hard-working graduates.”
EMT-P instruction includes 596 hours of didactic (classroom) training and 500 hours of clinical education, or field internship. To be eligible to take the EMT-P course, students had to first complete a 203-hour EMT-Basic course and pass a state exam. An EMT-Paramedic has enhanced skills beyond the EMT-Basic level, including being able to administer additional interventions and medications. The EMT-P delivers the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in North Carolina. In order to successfully complete the EMT-P course, students had to pass several different exams, including a “scope of practice” exam. This scenario-based evaluation tested the hands-on and critical thinking skills of students, as they delivered the appropriate treatment to multiple trauma patients and dealt with pediatric, environmental, and mental-illness situations. Each student also had to complete an 80-hour Anatomy and Physiology course. Now that students have completed the EMT-P course, they must take the 100-question North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services credentialing exam to become state-certified.
VGCC offers Emergency Medical Services training from the basic to the Paramedic level, in addition to continuing education. For more information on enrolling in these courses, call Randy Owen at (252) 738-3448 .
Above: From left, seated: Eric Brogden, Ashley Harris, Jessica Blackwell, Jodie Edwards, Allison Branch, Toni Ellis and Jeb Bailey; from left, standing: Coordinator/Instructor of Fire/Rescue Programs Randy Owen, Doyle Carpunky, Brandon Joostema, Matt Harrison, Hunter Crowder, Nathaniel Hinds, Crystal Long, Brandan Perkinson, Tyler Selak and instructor Vivian Loyd. (VGCC photo)
