Editor’s Note: EMS Week is May 19–25. Lenoir Community College is hosting several events on EMS Day (May 23) — Stop The Bleed Training, EMS Open House, Do It For Drew Foundation presentation, and sessions designed for Emergency Services personnel by Michael Reynolds, MSG (Retired). For a complete listing of times, check out LCC’s Facebook page.

Lenoir Community College is one in a system of many that offers Emergency Medical Science training, but it is one of the few community colleges to offer EMT Basic, EMT-Intermediate and paramedic training in a hybrid format, an innovative and creative way to bring the classroom into a student’s environment.

LCC Associate Dean of Public Safety Justin Tilghman said it is wonderful to be able to offer the program in a way that allows students to achieve their educational and career goals.

“For years EMS training, like any other area of training, has been offered only in the classroom setting,” he said. “However, Lenoir Community College has broken the mold and is setting the standard for the newest types of EMS training, preparing the way with innovative training methods to ensure student success and marketability.”

Offering EMT training in a hybrid format is a perfect fit for reaching rural or remote areas.

“The college has come a long way in regards to public safety training,” Tilghman said.  “What started as a few classrooms and course offerings has exploded into a nationally recognized program, training lab, and several dedicated training areas.”

What does this really mean for the student? Tilghman said it allows students from all over the state and country to attend training sessions in Kinston. The hybrid format allows students to complete their lectures and some assignments in the convenience of their own home.  

Then, when the time comes for them to visit the college’s main campus, instructors are able to spend the majority of their time working with students in the skills lab. This allows students to spend their time physically training and honing their skills as EMTs.

“This really is a new concept,” Tilghman said. “The idea itself isn’t new, but applying it to EMS training is new.  The idea of ‘flipping the classroom,’ or creating a hybrid class format, has been used in several other fields of study.  We just thought it made sense to use it in EMS training as well.

“The greatest benefit is that it allows us to offer more classes in a more convenient time frame so students can achieve their educational and career goals without having to quit their current jobs to do it.”

LCC has also established a nationally recognized simulation lab. The lab has a fully equipped and operational indoor ambulance simulator with monitors and cameras for better assessment and review of procedures on ambulance transports.  

It also contains several smaller simulation labs that allow students to get more one-on-one hands-on experience. Each simulation lab is equipped with that latest in patient simulation technology. The EMS program at LCC has several hi-fidelity simulation manikins that are the closest thing available, other than real patients, in regards to training.

“These mannequins are really lifelike,” Tilghman said. “They can do everything a human can do just short of physically moving their arms. They breathe, cry, sweat, shake, react to medication and even have a real heartbeat!  

“This all comes together to help us produce competent students who are well prepared when they complete the program.”

You don’t have to take the college’s word for it, though.  

“We interview students and employers after every class graduates and we are consistently finding that this training format is not only convenient but produces excellent, quality students,” Tilghman said. “We are also finding that this isn’t just a North Carolina thing either.  We have trained students who are currently working as far away as California and even there, the employers are pleased with the quality of training here at LCC.

“Because of this format, LCC is truly becoming a leading name in quality EMS training, not just in N.C., but across the country.”

EMT courses are offered throughout the year.  

“We have classes starting every month of the year,” Tilghman said.  

In general, LCC offers 10 paramedic classes, six advanced EMT classes and 12 EMT classes every year.

Students must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency and adult high school diploma to register for EMT classes and be 18 years or older to take the licensure exam. For advanced EMT and paramedic courses, students must take placement exams for math and English and have vaccinations records.

LCC is also a certified training center for the American Heart Association.

“We offer classes in first aid, CPR, advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support,” Tilghman said. “We also offer CPR/ACLS/PALS Instructor courses for these interested in becoming AHA instructors.”

For more information on how to register for these programs, call Director of EMS Jordan Pate at (252) 527-6223, ext. 142 or email jbpate41@lenoircc.edu or visit the college website at www.lenoircc.edu/publicsafety for a complete listing of degree and continuing education opportunities.