Emergency Medical Services

Why Emergency Medical Services?

Emergency Medical Services is a system that provides emergency medical care. Heartland Community College and the McLean County Area Emergency Medical Services (MCAEMS) have teamed up to offer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) courses. Whether you want to acquire the EMT Basic certification or continue on and obtain the EMT Paramedic certification, Heartland and MCAEMS have the courses that you need.

For questions about becoming an EMT or Paramedic, or the courses, contact Kierney Weirman, EMS Training Coordinator for MCAEMS, at 309-827-4348 or kweirman@mcleancountyems.org.

EMS is a field that is exciting, satisfying, and allows you to make a difference firsthand in your communities. Working in this field requires rapid and critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and compassion.

As an EMT you have the opportunity to care for the sick and injured and play a key role in their treatment before they arrive at a hospital. In this role, you are a first responder to medical and traumatic emergencies and work closely with other public safety personnel and healthcare professionals to provide immediate care.

You can find our graduates working in many different areas of public safety such as:

  • Fire departments
  • Law enforcement
  • Hospital-based services
  • Military or federal agencies
  • Cardiac catheter labs
  • Doctors’ offices
  • Industrial settings

They have also gone on to careers such as nursing, nurse anesthetists, and more.

Program Details

Emergency Medical Services

Format
On Campus, Hybrid
In-District Tuition
$169/credit hour
Out-of-District Tuition
$337/credit hour
Financial Considerations
View Financial Considerations
Program Options

Why Heartland?

There are many reasons to study at Heartland Community College.

  • Affordable
  • Student-focused
  • Dedicated instructors
  • Small class sizes
  • Graduate IDPH/NREMT pass rates above the state and national average
  • High job placement rate
  • Supportive environment
  • Pathways to earn your bachelor’s degree
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Program Options

Emergency Medical Technician Microcertificate (EMT-Basic)

8 credit hours, Catalog Year 2025–2026

EMT Basic courses will be offered every fall and spring semester as both day and night classes.

Certificate Requirements
Course Hours

EMT 101 – EMT Basic

8

Total Credit Hours

8

Emergency Medical Technician Certificate (EMT-Paramedic)

37 credit hours, Catalog Year 2025–2026

The EMT–Paramedic certificate program includes required general education coursework and a three-course paramedic sequence. Students may complete the paramedic sequence through one of two tracks.

Track 1 begins in the summer semester and consists of EMT 235, EMT 236, and EMT 237. Track 2 begins in the fall semester and consists of EMT 245, EMT 246, and EMT 247.

Students must successfully complete each course with a grade of “C” or higher to progress to the next course in the sequence. All paramedic courses must be taken consecutively within a continuous three-semester sequence. To be considered passing and eligible for licensure, students must earn a final program average of “B” or higher.

The EMT–Paramedic curriculum consists of classroom lecture, lab, and clinical & field experience. Clinical experiences occur in hospital settings (e.g., Emergency Department, Cardiac Cath Lab, Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room), and field experiences occur on an ALS ambulance.

Track 1 (Summer Start)

Certificate Requirements
Course Hours

BIOL 121 – Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology
OR
BIOL 181 – Anatomy & Physiology I and BIOL 182 – Anatomy & Physiology II

4 OR 8

EMT 235 – Paramedic I – Track 1 (Summer)

9

EMT 236 – Paramedic II – Track 1 (Fall)

12

EMT 237 – Paramedic III – Track 1 (Spring)

12

Total Credit Hours

37-41

 Track 2 (Fall Start)

Certificate Requirements
Course Hours

BIOL 121 – Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology
OR
BIOL 181 – Anatomy & Physiology I and BIOL 182 – Anatomy & Physiology II

4 OR 8

EMT 245 – Paramedic I – Track 2 (Fall)

12

EMT 246 – Paramedic II – Track 2 (Spring)

12

EMT 247 – Paramedic III – Track 2 (Summer)

9

Total Credit Hours

37-41

Meet the Faculty

Jim Davis

EMS Educator

Teaches: Emergency Medical Technician Program

Joel Gollnitz

EMS Educator

Teaches: Emergency Medical Technician Program

Kris Newcomb

EMS System Manager

Teaches: Emergency Medical Technician Program

Kierney Weirman

EMS Educator

Teaches: Emergency Medical Technician Program

Dawn Wilson

EMS Educator

Teaches: Emergency Medical Technician Program

EMT-Basic Requirements

The EMT-Basic (EMT-B) program is designed to prepare students to enter the pre-hospital care field through classroom lectures, hands-on skills in lab settings, and field experience in hospital emergency rooms and with ambulance services/fire department EMTs.

Students who complete the Heartland Community College EMT-B Program are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification examination.

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification validates basic competencies in emergency medical services (EMS). However, it’s important to understand that NREMT certification alone does not grant you a license to practice in any state.

  1. NREMT Certification:
    • The NREMT establishes standardized training and certification across the United States.
    • Passing the exam demonstrates that you have met minimum EMS competency requirements.
    • It is a national certification but does not automatically authorize practice in any state.
  2. State Licensure:
    • You must obtain a state license from the Office of EMS in the state where you plan to work.
    • Each state has its own requirements, regulations, and licensing process.
    • A state license is what legally permits practice within that state.
  3. Reciprocity:
    • NREMT certification can facilitate reciprocity in many states.
    • Approximately 40 states recognize NREMT certification for reciprocity.
    • Additional requirements (such as exams or continuing education) may still apply.

In summary, NREMT certification provides a foundation, but you must obtain a state license to practice. Always check with the state EMS office where you plan to work for current requirements.

Enrollment Requirements

To register for the EMT-Basic course EMT 101, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Age 17 or older*
  • High school diploma or equivalent**

* Per Illinois law, students who complete the program before age 18 may test but cannot be licensed until their 18th birthday.

** Students must possess a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of licensure application.

Registration for EMT 101 closes at midnight on the Sunday before classes begin.

Enrollment Considerations

Time Commitment

EMT 101 is an 8-credit/9-contact-hour course with 7 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab weekly over 16 weeks. Students must also complete 28 hours of clinical experience in settings such as emergency departments, dispatch centers, and ambulances.

Essential Functions of the Job

Students must be able to perform the following with or without reasonable accommodations:

  • Communicate effectively via telephone and radio
  • Lift and carry up to 125 pounds (250 with assistance)
  • Interpret oral, written, and diagnostic instructions
  • Use sound judgment in high-stress situations
  • Tolerate loud noises and flashing lights
  • Read English materials and maps
  • Discern street signs and addresses
  • Demonstrate manual dexterity for patient care tasks
  • Bend, stoop, and crawl on uneven terrain
  • Work in extreme environmental conditions
  • Operate in low-light and confined spaces

Students may contact Student Access and Accommodation Services with any concerns.

Clinical Requirements

Criminal Background Check

A background check is required for clinical participation. Students must complete authorization forms during the first week. View disqualifying convictions and waiver information .

Students with disqualifying results must complete a waiver before entering clinical settings.

Drug Testing

A 10-panel urine drug test is required for clinical participation.

Health Requirements & Immunizations

Proof of the following is required before clinical placement:

  • TDaP vaccination within 10 years (or equivalent booster documentation)
  • MMR (2 doses or positive titer)
  • Varicella (2 doses or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B series and positive titer
  • Two-step TB test (negative)
  • Influenza vaccine (current year) or declination
  • COVID-19 vaccine or declination
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Completed background check (Viewpoint Screening)
  • Valid state ID, driver’s license, or passport

EMT-Paramedic Requirements

This certificate is a 37-credit-hour, three-semester program that includes general education coursework, EMT courses, and clinical and field experiences.

Students completing the Heartland Community College Paramedic Program are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) paramedic certification examination.

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification validates core EMS competencies. However, it is important to understand that NREMT certification alone does not grant you a license to practice in any state.

  1. NREMT Certification:
    • The NREMT provides standardized training and certification across the United States.
    • Certification demonstrates that you meet minimum EMS competency requirements.
    • It does not automatically authorize you to work in any state.
  2. State Licensure:
    • You must obtain a state license from the Office of EMS in the state where you plan to work.
    • Each state has its own requirements and licensing process.
    • State licensure legally permits you to practice.
  3. Reciprocity:
    • NREMT certification may help with reciprocity between states.
    • Approximately 40 states recognize NREMT certification.
    • Additional state-specific requirements may still apply.

In summary, NREMT certification provides a foundation, but you must obtain a state license to practice. Check with the state EMS office where you plan to work for current requirements.

Enrollment Requirements

To register for EMT 245 – Paramedic I, students must meet the following:

  • Age 17 or older*
  • High school diploma or equivalent**
  • Active Illinois EMT-Basic or EMT-Intermediate license
  • BIOL 121 (C or better) OR concurrent enrollment
  • OR BIOL 181 and BIOL 182 (C or better)
  • OR BIOL 181 (C or better) with concurrent BIOL 182
  • Current CPR certification (AHA or Red Cross). Courses available through Continuing Education.

* Students under 18 may test but cannot be licensed until age 18.

** Must be completed before licensure application.

Enrollment Considerations

Time Commitment

EMT-Paramedic courses meet approximately 10 hours per week over two days, including lecture and lab. Students also complete about 200 hours of clinical experience per course in hospital and ambulance settings.

Essential Functions

Students must be able to:

  • Communicate via telephone and radio
  • Lift up to 125 pounds (250 with assistance)
  • Interpret oral, written, and diagnostic instructions
  • Remain calm under stress
  • Tolerate loud noises and flashing lights
  • Read English materials and maps
  • Recognize addresses and street signs
  • Demonstrate manual dexterity
  • Bend, stoop, and crawl
  • Work in extreme environments
  • Operate in confined or low-light spaces

For accommodations, contact Student Access and Accommodation Services.

Clinical Requirements

Criminal Background Check

Required for clinical participation. View disqualifying convictions and waiver information .

Students must complete any required waiver before entering clinical settings.

Drug Testing

A 10-panel urine drug test is required for clinical participation.

Health Requirements & Immunizations

Required prior to clinical placement:

  • TDaP vaccination (within 10 years or equivalent booster)
  • MMR (2 doses or positive titer)
  • Varicella (2 doses or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B series and positive titer
  • Two-step TB test (negative)
  • Influenza vaccine (current) or declination
  • COVID-19 vaccine or declination
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Background check (Viewpoint Screening)
  • Valid ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)

Program Goals & Outcomes

Program Goals

  1. Prepare paramedics who are competent in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) domains for entry into the profession.
  2. Educate professionals who can problem-solve using strong assessment skills, a solid understanding of pathophysiology, and clinical experience, while thinking beyond established protocols.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Establish therapeutic, culturally appropriate relationships using professional communication.
  2. Demonstrate basic life support skills to preserve life.
  3. Communicate effectively with healthcare professionals, both orally and in writing.
  4. Demonstrate proficiency in using Advanced Life Support equipment.
  5. Select and administer appropriate medications and evaluate patient response.
  6. Identify scene safety risks and apply crisis intervention techniques when needed.
  7. Explain anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology relevant to emergency care.
  8. Exhibit professional behavior and sound ethical decision-making.
  9. Practice within the scope defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  10. Apply critical thinking to effectively manage emergency situations.

Current Outcomes

  2022 2023 2024
Retention 58% 92% 94%
NREMT Exam 85% 100% 70%
Placement 100% 100% 100%

The Paramedic Program is offered through Heartland Community College and is sponsored by a CoAEMSP-accredited consortium including Heartland Community College, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, and the McLean County Area EMS System. Program instruction is provided by MCAEMS personnel, with clinical education conducted at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center and Carle BroMenn Medical Center.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Financial Considerations

Contact Financial Aid for information about scholarships or other assistance with program costs.

The tuition rate for EMT courses is the same as other Heartland courses.

The following table provides estimated expenses for prospective EMT paramedic students. Totals may vary depending on previously completed coursework and immunizations.

Item Cost
Tuition and fees for the paramedic program*:
  • In-district: $187 per credit hour
 $6,919 
  • Out-of-district: $356 per credit hour 
  $13,172 
Course-specific fees**:
  • EMT 235/245: $377 (includes ATLS training/certification)
  • EMT 236/246: $377 (includes ITLS training/certification)
  • EMT 237/247: $377 (includes PALS training/certification)
 Plus $1,131 
Books Approx. $479

Additional immunizations are required by clinical partners. Specific requirements will be provided after program acceptance.

* Tuition estimates do not include prerequisite courses (BIOL 121 or BIOL 181 and 182).

** Course lab fees include equipment, uniforms, and specialized training.

All tuition, fees, and cost estimates are subject to change without notice.