This is an entry level course and is the first step in the EMS career ladder. As with most healthcare professions, a Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information Check (CORI) will be required for licensing by MA OEMS after successful completion of this course. If a student thinks there might be an issue for state licensing, the College may run and review a CORI based on individual student request.

Upon successful completion of the course and with the instructor’s recommendation, students are eligible to take the NREMT-Basic certification exam and then work for private or fire-based ambulance services or volunteer-based emergency services. Please note, this is a very intensive course with a lot of required reading. Many students state that they spend at least 6 or more hours a week outside of class just on the reading assignments.

Class meets in person in the East building of the GCC main campus on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 PM - 10 PM and some Saturdays from 9 AM - 5:30 PM. There is a 100% attendance policy and our curriculum meets the National Standard Curriculum requirements. Our EMT classes run in the Spring, Fall and Summer semesters. We only accept 30 students per semester.

There is a separate health requirement if you choose to schedule the optional hospital emergency department observation and/or the optional ambulance ride-a-long shift. You can get the form from the instructor and submit it during the last 3 weeks of class.

Summer 2025 semester: Dates: May 21, 2025 - August 13, 2025
Our course is offered as in-person lectures and labs here in the East Building on our campus in Greenfield - Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 PM-10 PM and the scheduled Saturdays 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (5/31, 6/21, 7/12, 7/26 & 8/9 ).

Registration will be available starting after April 9, 2025 see choices below.

There are 2 ways to take the class - both options are acceptable for future entry to the GCC Paramedic Program:

Option 1: As a 6 credit college class (EMS 101) if you are interested in obtaining college credits.  Approximate cost is $1,400 plus books (appx $150) and certification fees *. Please contact the Office of Admission at GCC for information about how to register (413) 775-1801 or visit the website at gcc.mass.edu/admission/. If you are not already a GCC college student, you will need to take the English placement test (learn more at gcc.mass.edu/testing/).  If you have college level English then you will need to provide transcripts to GCC.  When you take the class for college credits you may be eligible for financial aid  or free community college :https://go.gcc.mass.edu/FreeCollege/

Option 2: As a non-credit class (EMH 310). Cost is $1500 plus books (appx $150) and certification fees. For information about how to register visit their online course guide at gcc.mass.edu/non-credit/. You do not need to apply to be a student at GCC or take the English placement test, but financial aid is not available for this option. Most students who select this option already have a college degree.

Per the Massachusetts Regulations-105 CMR 170.910: Initial Certification
(A) In order to be eligible to be certified as an EMT, a person must:
(1) Be 18 years of age or older;
(2) Be free of any physical or mental disability or disease which could reasonably be expected to impair the ability to be an EMT, or which could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the health and safety of the patient;
(3) Meet the training requirements applicable to the level of certification for which the person is applying, as specified in 105 CMR 170.800; and
(4) Successfully complete a Department-approved psychomotor examination, meeting the requirements of the NREMT; the NREMT cognitive computer- based examination; and obtain NREMT certification.

Technical Standards for EMT

Successful completion of the EMT course requires proficiency in the performance of a variety of skills. These technical standards clarify minimum standards for the affective and psychomotor learning domains.

To that end students must:

1. Be ambulatory and able to lift, carry and balance up to 100 pounds. Examples of activities include but are not limited to:

• Carry and manipulate equipment
• Carry, lift, support and position patient(s), including patients incapable of independent movement/ambulation

2. Be in sufficient physical condition so as to be able to bend, stoop, balance and crawl on even and uneven terrain; have the ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, extreme cold and moisture, at times under prolonged conditions. Examples of activities include but are not limited to:

• Gain access to and extricate patients from a variety of mechanical, environmental and physical settings
• Perform tasks and duties in inclement weather and during natural and manmade disaster situations
• Perform duties in conditions of extreme or sustained noise

3. Possess fine motor coordination and hand/eye/foot coordination required to perform technical and precise skills. Motor coordination may be defined as the ability to make a movement or response quickly and accurately. Examples of activities include but are not limited to:

• Preparation and administration of medications
• Perform CPR and manual electrical therapy
• Balance while lifting/moving/positioning patients and/or equipment
• Drive, steer and brake emergency response vehicle in a variety of environmental conditions during day and night settings

4. Possess the visual acuity necessary to perform technical skills and to make precise discriminations. Examples of activities include but are not limited to:

• Accurately discern street signs and address numbers
• Accurately read medication/prescription labels and directions for usage
• Accurately determine precise amounts of medication
• Discern deviations in eye/skin coloration due to patient’s condition and treatment provided
• Discern anomalies in patient appearance during physical assessment

5. Have sufficient verbal ability and auditory perception to be able to perform comprehensive patient assessment, management and transport. Examples of activities include but are not limited to:

• Ability to interpret and respond to written and oral instructions or descriptions
• Ability to converse via phone, radio or in person with health care providers and EMS personnel
• Ability to communicate verbally with patients and bystanders in diverse cultural and age groups
• Ability to effectively use a stethoscope and other diagnostic equipment requiring visual and/or auditory interpretation

6. Be able to effectively communicate with patients, bystanders and other health care providers. Communication involves speech, reading, writing, and awareness of emotional messages included in body language, tone and presentation. Activities include but are not limited to;

• Clear and rapid communication with medical personnel, non-medically trained professionals, patients and family members, including the ability to elicit as well as convey information
• Awareness of the emotional messages conveyed by patients, self and others
• Precise and legible medical/legal documentation of all aspects of patient care

7. Have the emotional stability and maturity to exercise sound judgment while effectively completing patient care activities. Examples of attributes include but are not limited to:

• Ability to remain calm in high-stress situations
• Ability to assume the role of team leader
• Confidence and ability to work independently without defined structure
• Ability to practice effective time-management
• Ability for stable reasoning
• Ability to draw valid conclusions expediently, often with limited information
• Ability to self-reflect
• Ability to accept constructive criticism

According to the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services in order to take the Department-approved psychomotor examination required for certification -candidates shall not go to the examination if they are ill, incapacitated or injured.  Candidates with an injury, illness or who are in the third trimester of pregnancy must have a note from their physician that specifically allows the candidate to take part in a hands-on examination involving physical exertion.  The Chief Examiner may refuse to allow a candidate to take the examination without such a note from their physician.

* Upon successful completion of the course there are additional certification fees/costs:

• $80 fee to be paid to GCC for the NREMT psychomotor exam (we hold the psychomotor certification exam here at GCC for our students).
• A $104 fee to be paid to the NREMT for certification and your first attempt at the computerized cognitive exam.
• Additional fee ($104), if necessary, to be paid for each subsequent attempt at the NREMT cognitive exam (there is a max of 6 attempts to pass).
• Once you have successfully completed your NREMT computerized cognitive exam and GCC psychomotor exam and are a Nationally Certified EMT (NREMT), you will then need to contact the state Office of EMS, in any state you plan to practice in, and get that individual state’s license/certification. Here in MA you must pay $150 and go on their website to complete an application: https://www.mass.gov/guides/apply-for-an-initial-emt-advanced-emt-or-paramedic-certification

Advanced EMT

GCC is not offering the NREMT Advanced EMT course at this time. If you are interested in furthering your EMS career, we suggest looking at the paramedic level : https://www.gcc.mass.edu/academics/programs/paramedic-certificate/