Emergency Medical Technician

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life threatening emergencies. EMTs function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight. EMTs perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. EMTs are a critical link between the scene of an emergency and the health care system.

An EMT is a frontline responder trained to provide basic emergency care including CPR, bleeding control, airway management, and patient assessment.  EMTs are vital in stabilizing patients and preparing them for transport.

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One Semester

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Yes – AEMT & Paramedic

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An AEMT provides intermediate emergency care, including basic medications and limited advanced procedures bridging EMTs and Paramedics.

A paramedic is a highly trained medical professional who provides advanced emergency care, including administering medications, performing life-saving procedures, and managing critical patients, playing a vital role in prehospital care and patient survival.

 

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Interested individuals must complete the admissions process into the college (including the removal of all applicable holds) prior to being considered for enrollment into the EMT program.

Applicants must be in good academic standing with the college (minimum 2.0 GPA) to be considered for the program. Qualified applicants will be accepted to the EMT program on a first come first serve basis, admitting a maximum of 12 students per cohort.

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The program is open to all students meeting admission requirements for the College based on the admission or readmission status the applicant is seeking.

Accepted students will be required to provide a copy of a background check and drug screening. NSCC does not use background checks or drug screenings as criteria for admission to the program. Background checks and drug screenings are required by clinical sites as a condition of participation. Students are required to participate in a variety of clinical experiences to successfully complete the program. For questions regarding the background check, please call 615-353-3647. Applicants are advised that the following circumstances may affect a graduate’s eligibility for state licensure.

This includes “history within the past three years of habitual intoxication or personal misuse of any drugs or the use of intoxicating liquors, narcotics, controlled substances, or other drugs or stimulants in such manner as to adversely affect the person’s ability to practice as an emergency medical technician. Licensure applicants must disclose circumstances surrounding any conviction of any criminal law violation other than minor traffic violations, denial of professional licensure/certification, discipline, loss or restriction of licensure or certification by any other state or discipline with the TN Department of Health EMS.” Individuals with concerns about how a felony conviction could influence their certification or credentialing status are strongly encouraged to contact the TN DOH EMS.

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EMS Academy classes are conducted exclusively at the Dickson Campus. EMT classes are offered during the day Tuesday’s and Thursdays from 0800-1700, with an hour break for lunch.

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Students will schedule and attend 96 hours of clinical rotations outside of class. These rotations will be at clinical sites specified by the instructor cadre. Generally, clinicals are divided into 8-hour and 12-hour shifts, depending on the rotation, constituting approximately 10 days of clinical rotation throughout the program.

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All applicants will be notified regarding admission status through student portal. Accepted students will be provided with additional information regarding next steps including orientation, uniforms, course materials needed and required health and background check steps.

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While online resources are available while you are in class, there is no dedicated online course. In fact, the State of Tennessee Office of EMS does not authorize any TN State EMS program to offer any portion of their course online.

Applications will open once the TN Department of Health Office of EMS officially approves the Nashville State EMS program. We anticipate notification regarding our application status in mid-June, 2026.

 

Tennessee Department of EMS Board

665 Mainstream Drive

Nashville, TN 37243

Toll Free: 1-800-778-4505

Phone: 615-741-2584

Email: tn.health@tn.gov

 

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