Posted 2:30 am Friday, February 26, 2010
TJC To Offer Dual Credit EMT Courses
By EMILY GUEVARA
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Tyler Junior College is expanding its reach by offering a dual credit EMT course at a couple of area high schools.
The emergency medical technician-basic program already is in progress at Grand Saline High School. And the college intends to expand the program this fall by making it available to Tyler ISD students.
"When I got here it was a goal to take the college to the people and this is a great example," TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said while addressing the college's board of trustees on Thursday.
The TJC board heard about the program during their regular board meeting.
Paul Monagan, dean of the college's School of Allied Health and Nursing, gave a report on the program.
In addition, 15 students who are participating in the Grand Saline program also were in attendance.
The way the program works is something like this.
The school district must agree to purchase about $10,000 worth of equipment for the course. This includes stretchers, a mannequin and other supplies.
In addition, the district pays about $1,050 in tuition and fees for each participating student. This pays for cargo pants, two embroidered polo-style shirts, boots and more.
"It's kind of giving these young people an identity," Monagan said. "These might be the kids that aren't on the football team. It's fun (for them) to think they are part of the group."
Grand Saline High School Principal Gary Redding said he was so appreciative of the program.
In order to participate, students must be at least 17 years old and be willing to commit to the requirements of the program.
Students will participate in 132 classroom hours where they will learn the basics of CPR, airway management, vital signs and how to handle crisis. From there students go out to experience 48 hours of ambulance work and 48 hours of emergency room work, Monagan said.
While the classroom hours will take place during their regular school day, field experience must be completed on their own time, Monagan said.
At the end of the course students will have earned two high school credits and six hours of college credit. They also will be prepared to take the national registry exam, Monagan said.
The goal of the program is two-fold.
For students it provides a free opportunity to learn about the medical profession and gives them a leg up when applying to college.
For students it provides a free opportunity to learn about the medical profession and gives them a leg up when applying to college.
Participating students receive additional points toward admission to any TJC health program. The majority of health programs have more applicants than space available, Monagan said.
For the college it also works as a recruiting tool and ensures that at least some of the students who apply to college health programs know what they are getting into, Monagan said.
All too often students get partway into a college program only to discover that they don't like it, Monagan said. They drop the program leaving an empty seat and possibly wasting their own money, he said.
This program allows them to experience the field for free and learn early on if it really is for them.
Tyler ISD will offer the program this fall. Students who are interested in the program can call TJC's School of Allied Health and Nursing at 903-510-2662 or visit http://www2.tjc.edu/alliedhealth.
OTHER ITEMS
In other business, the board:
Approved the hire of Tyler-based HGR General Contractors to renovate the Genecov Science Building and Hudnall Planetarium.
Six companies formally responded to the request for proposals, with four of those being local companies, according to information presented at the board meeting. HGR already is working on the Wagstaff Gym renovation at this time.
The board also: approved authorizing the president of the board to execute deeds for the sale of delinquent tax properties; revisions to the TJC board policy manual; changes to core curriculum; revisions to the college catalog; the trustee election order; the interlocal election agreement; and the monthly financial and investment reports.
