Rice University

EMSP 281: EMT

Course Syllabus
Spring 2023

Lead Instructors Leenah Abojaib

(763) 339-9753
la29@rice.edu

Rohit Gupta, MD
(720) 771-9868
roh.gupta33@gmail.com

Office Hours By appointment only

Other Course Personnel

Medical Director: Cameron Decker, MD
Dr. Decker oversees the medical content of the course, and assures that clinical and field internship locations are
appropriate. He will also attest to each student’s competence as they work to complete this course. Dr. Decker can be
reached via e‐mail (camerondecker@gmail.com).

Program Director & Course Coordinator: Lisa Basgall

Lisa is the administrative and operations director for Rice EMS. She provides support and resources for the course, and
assists with scheduling. Lisa is ultimately responsible to ensure all aspects of the course run smoothly, and are in accord
with the rules and regulations set forth by the Texas Department of State Health Services. She can be reached at her
office at the RUPD M‐F 0900-1700, by email (lbasgall@rice.edu), or phone (713‐348‐6056).

Course Teaching Assistants:

Emma Moran – Rice EMS Education Lieutenant Max Ruiz – Rice EMS Education Lieutenant
(512) 968-6065 (303) 990-3281
riceemseducation@gmail.com riceemseducation@gmail.com
Neil Chopra – Rice EMS Education Assistant Matthew Taylor-Chang – Rice EMS Education Assistant
(908) 230-8179 (978) 793-3387
nc46@rice.edu mjt9@rice.edu

Max & Emma assist in teaching, skills practice, and record keeping. They are your main point of contact and will be
present at all classes to discuss the scheduling or logistics of the course.

Ambulance Scheduler: Ian Feldman – ifeldman@rice.edu - (773) 960-9431

Hospital Scheduler: Lisa Basgall – contact info above

Textbook ‐ PreHospital Emergency Care (Mistovich & Karren) Edition: 11th
ISBN‐13: 9780133369137
Publisher: Brady/Pearson

1
Course Description
EMSP 281 is an exploration of the foundations necessary for mastery of the basic topics of clinical practice for the pre‐
hospital environment. These topics include:
• A detailed study of the knowledge and skills required to reach competence in performing patient assessment
and airway management
• A comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the utilization of medications in treating emergency situations
• A detailed study of the knowledge and skills necessary to reach competence in the assessment and management
of patients with traumatic injuries
• A method of instruction providing detailed education, training, and work-based experience in patient care,
generally at clinical sites
Specific learning objectives are developed for each type of clinical by the faculty. On‐site clinical instruction, supervision,
evaluation, and placement are the responsibility of the university and faculty. Note: Clinical experiences are unpaid
external learning experiences.

Prerequisites (Submit by 10 Dec 2022)

FEMA online courses:
• Is100HE ‐ Introduction to the Incident Command System for Higher Education
• Is200b ‐ ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• Is700a ‐ An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

Refund Policy
This applies to the course fee.
First seven calendar days after start of class‐‐ 100% refund
Calendar days 8‐14 of class‐‐ 50% refund
During the 15th through 20th calendar days of class ‐‐ 25% refund
After the 20th calendar day of the class – no refund

Semester Objectives
At the completion of this semester the student will:
1. Understand the roles and responsibilities of an EMT within an EMS System.
2. Have the ability to apply basic concepts of development, pathophysiology, and pharmacology to the assessment
and management of emergency patients.
3. Have the ability to effectively communicate with patients.
4. Have the ability to take a proper medical history and perform a comprehensive physical exam on any patient
and communicate the findings to others.
5. Have the ability to establish and/or maintain a patent airway, oxygenate, and ventilate a patient.
6. Integrate principles of pathophysiology and assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement
a treatment plan for an emergency patient.
7. Have the ability to effectively manage a scene, including one with multiple patients, and recognize the need to
call for additional assistance.
8. Have the ability to effectively document patient care.

Course Objectives
Included in the student handbook is a copy of the objectives from the National Standard Curriculum (Adopted by the
Texas Department of State Health Services) that will be covered in this EMT course. These objectives define the
knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes that must be mastered before successful completion of these courses.

It is the responsibility of the student to attain mastery of these objectives. This can only be accomplished through active
participation in all classroom, laboratory, and internship exercises and through careful study and review outside of class.

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Course Policies

Overview: Course policies are consistent with those of the Rice EMS and the University (as outlined in the Rice
University Student Handbook). Specific policies are repeated here for clarification.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. Not only will absences result in missed material, but also there are a specific
number of contact hours required by the state for successful completion of the curriculum. Students must be present for
at least 90% of classes. No more than two unexcused absences will be allowed. The course coordinator and course
instructor will collectively decide whether planned absences will be allowed as excused. If the student is tardy (more
than 15 minutes late for class) three times, these tardies will count as one unexcused absence. If the student incurs
more than two unexcused absences, the individual’s overall course grade may be dropped by 5%. Attendance and
active participation in class are an integral component of the educational experience. Because of this, attendance to all
classes and labs are critical.

Clinical/Field Internship Attendance: Clinical/field internship attendance policies are written to meet by state and
national accreditation standards, as well as the requirements of our internship sites. Therefore, clinical/field internship
absences will affect your clinical/field internship grade as described in the grading policy. If unexpected circumstances
arise and you cannot make a scheduled clinical, please contact the clinical scheduler to discuss rescheduling. Each
student will be allowed one unexplained clinical date change. Any clinical scheduling change beyond this requires
instructor approval of a written request and explanation of circumstances. It is left up to the instructors to determine if
any additional changes will be allowed. See the Clinical/Field Internship Grades section for more information about how
clinical absences will affect an individual’s grades. Clinical paperwork will be due at regular intervals as dictated by the
course schedule.

Clinical/ Field Internship Scheduling

You are responsible for scheduling all of your clinical/field internships through the Clinical Schedulers. Required
internship rotations are listed in this syllabus. Unscheduled internship rotations may NOT be counted toward satisfying
course requirements. Repeated failure to follow Rice EMS Education Program policies (found in the Clinical Handbook)
regarding scheduling of internship rotations may result in dismissal from the program.

Clinical Schedulers
Ian Feldman – ifeldman@rice.edu - (773) 960-9431 – ambulance rotations
Lisa Basgall – lbasgall@rice.edu - (713) 348-6056 – hospital rotations

Student Employment/Volunteerism
While students may be employed in or volunteer in the clinical setting outside of regular instructional hours, they may
ONLY count time, procedures, and patient contacts toward course completion requirements if they are functioning in
the capacity of a student on a scheduled internship rotation.
Hospital employees may NEVER count on‐duty activity toward class internship rotations. Students who work or
volunteer for an EMS provider with whom the Rice EMS Education Program has a Clinical affiliation agreement are
strongly encouraged to complete mobile intensive care unit and field internship requirements with another provider. If
they must complete internship requirements with their employer, they must clearly be an additional member of the
crew, functioning in the capacity of a student, and listed on the clinical rotation schedule. As an example, if a service
normally runs with a two‐member crew, a student may not be the second member of that crew and count this as an
internship rotation.
A student who knowingly attempts to count on‐duty time in the internship setting toward completion of course
requirements will, at a minimum, be required to repeat the internship rotation. Depending on the circumstances, the
student may be dropped from the program and be reported to DSHS for falsification of legal documentation.
A student may NEVER substitute for clinical or EMS agency personnel. Any procedures beyond the scope of the student’s
current level of EMS certification or prospective level may not be done.

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Exams
Tests over the course of the semester will be given to assess course progress and skills proficiency. There will be three
exams and one final. The dates of these will be listed on the class schedule. The final will be an in-person exam and
scheduled by the registrar.
Missed exams will not be made up. If a legitimate excuse is presented and accepted by the instructors, the grade will be
calculated by averaging the remaining scores on the other exams. All excuses must be reported to the course instructor
to be considered.
Exams will be excused only for a verified illness or circumstance. Exams will not be given after the regularly scheduled
time. In the event of illness, the student must send a written message or letter, with the Rice University Honor Code
pledge, explaining that he or she is too sick to take the test within the specified time. This message must be sent prior to
the time of the exam due date. Family crises or tragedies will be dealt with on a case by case basis prior to the
examination.
Exam regrades must be submitted in writing to the instructor within one week of the graded exam being released. Any
regrades after that time will not be accepted.

Withdrawing
You have the responsibility to formally withdraw from a course if you determine you will not be able to complete it. If
you fail to do so, you may receive a failing grade. You must drop the class according to the procedures outlined in the
Rice University Student Handbook. Failure to follow proper procedures in withdrawing from course may jeopardize your
opportunity to enroll in future Rice EMS Education Program courses. An incomplete may be considered at the digression
of the instructor and the program director for extraordinary illness or injury.

Course Completion
The passing score for all EMS courses is a ‘C’ as defined by the Rice Education EMS Program. Each student must maintain
a course average of 75 to be eligible for clinical rotations and to receive a certificate of course completion to be eligible
for national certification exam.

In addition to completion of all course requirements, completion of the course requires successful completion of all
clinical/field internship requirements, verification of all required skills, and adequate demonstration of required
internship competencies. To establish eligibility to write a State/National certification examination you must meet ALL
requirements established by the course in which you are enrolled. Meeting the minimum requirements established by
the Texas Department of State Health Services does NOT establish eligibility for certification.

Clinical/Field Hours
The following are to be completed before the end of the semester:

Clinical Department Program Clock Hours

Hospital Rotations 24 hours

Ambulance Rotations 72 hours

Each student will be scheduled for a total of 96 clinical hours as indicated above. A minimum of 80 total hours must be
completed by the course’s final date for the student to be eligible for completion. Students who do not meet the
required minimum hours will be required to schedule additional internships, which may be at the student’s own
expense, to receive course completion.

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In addition to the clinical hours, there is a skills check off sheet that will serve as a reference guide to aid in instructor
and student determination of competency. This check off sheet will be a guide to provide a general idea as to the
desired amount of skills and patient contacts that are required for competency.

The Course Instructor has the authority to require students to schedule additional internships if they have not yet
demonstrated competence in the required cognitive, psychomotor, or affective objectives.

Grading
Grading scale for the EMT course is based on the following scale with the following grade distribution:

100 – 97.5 A+ 82.6 – 79.7 B- Attendance/Participation 10%

97.4 – 93.5 A 79.6 – 76.5 C+ Exams 30%
93.4 – 89.7 A- 76.4 – 72.7 C Clinical/Paperwork 20%
89.6 – 86.5 B+ 72.6 – 70.7 C- Homework/Quizzes 25%
86.4 – 82.7 B 70.6 and below F Final Exam 15%

Total 100%

Assignments
Homework assignments will be distributed at periodic dates throughout the semester. These assignments will be a
varied in nature. Late assignments may not be accepted and will receive at most 70%.

Clinical/Field Grades
Your clinical grade will be determined by your participation in clinical/field rotations. You will receive a grade for each of
the patient care reports you turn in. In the event of a clinical absence, your clinical grade will be reduced by 15% for each
absence. Paperwork must be submitted per the class schedule. It is important that you attend all your rotations on the
date that you are assigned. If you need to cancel and reschedule a rotation, you may do so by contacting the Clinical
Scheduler at least 48 hours in advance of the rotation. You will be allowed one ‘free’, unexplained cancellation. Any
subsequent change must be submitted to the Clinical Scheduler(s) and may or may not be granted. Should you not
appear for a rotation without prior notification, this will count as TWO internship absences. Additionally, the required
rotations must be completed by the end of the semester.

Ambulance Rotations
There will be 72 hours of ambulance rotations for this course. In these 72 hours, you must meet the requirements as
outlined in the Clinical Handbook. The rotations will be scheduled through the Ambulance Scheduler. The rotations will
be completed any time outside of class hours at one of several different EMS agencies. Shifts are typically 12-24 hours in
length. Your preceptor is the lead paramedic on the unit you are riding on.

Clinical Rotations
There will be a total of 24 hours in the Emergency Department for this course. Hospital shifts are 8 hours in length. The
groups will be accompanied by an experienced preceptor that will supervise you in the ED and enhance your learning
experience. You will also be working closely with the nursing staff and, to a lesser extent, the physicians. You must fully
document at least 3 patients per 8-hour shift.

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Clinical Participation
The only way to learn and gain experience in the internship setting is to be an active participant. Get to know your
preceptor before you actually make patient contact. Find out his or her expectations. Be sure to present your preceptor
with your skills competency sheet and tell them where you are with skills so they are better prepared to help you. Ask
your preceptor for instruction and assistance, if needed. This is an excellent opportunity for you to gain the insight and
perspective of someone other than your primary instructor. Be eager to help out in any way possible.

Remember, though, that you may not perform any skills that are not part of the EMT curriculum. You may observe but
not assist with skills outside of your scope of practice. If you are unsure of anything, either clarify it with your preceptor
or call your instructors or TA.

Concerns
• Concerns with content and delivery of course instruction must be addressed to the Course Instructors and then
to the Program Director. The Kinesiology Department Head may be contacted by the Program Director when
appropriate.
• Concerns about internship experiences must be addressed to the Course Instructor, then to the Program
Director as appropriate.
• Regulatory (TDSHS/National Registry) concerns must be addressed with the Course Coordinator, then to the
specific agency as appropriate.
• Concerns about Rice EMS must be addressed to the Director of EMS, then the University Administration as
appropriate.
There is routine communication between all entities listed above to continuously improve the learning experience of the
students. Please feel free to share observations with us.

ADA Disability Accommodations

Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with
the Program Director during the first two weeks of class. All discussions will remain confidential. Students with
disabilities should also contact Disability Support Services in the Ley Student Center.

The National Registry of EMTs administers a separate process from the one used by Rice University for determining
whether accommodations for disabilities will be granted during State credentialing examinations. The National Registry
of EMTs will establish eligibility for accommodations on a case‐by‐case basis. Therefore, a student who receives an
accommodation during an EMS course has no guarantee of receiving an accommodation for the National Registry Exam.

Functional Position Description

“To qualify for EMS certification or licensure an individual must successfully complete a Texas Department of Health
approved course and achieve competency in each of the psychomotor skills. In addition, the individual must achieve a
passing score on the state written certification or licensure examination.

EMS personnel must be at least 18 years of age. Generally, the knowledge and skills required show the need for a high
school education or equivalent. EMS personnel must have the ability to communicate verbally via telephone and radio
equipment; ability to lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance); ability to interpret written,
oral and diagnostic form instructions; ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations; ability to
work effectively in an environment with loud noises and flashing lights; ability to function efficiently throughout an
entire work shift; ability to calculate weight and volume ratios and read small print, both under life threatening time
constraints; ability to read and understand English language manuals and road maps; ability to accurately discern street
signs and address numbers; ability to interview patient, family members and bystanders; ability to document, in writing,
all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such; ability to converse in English with
coworkers and hospital staff as to status of patient. EMS personnel should possess good manual dexterity, with ability to
perform all tasks related to highest quality patient care. Ability to bend, stoop and crawl on uneven terrain and ability to
withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold and moisture is vital. The ability to work in low
light, confined spaces and other dangerous environments is required.”1

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Competency Areas
“The EMT must demonstrate competency in handling emergencies utilizing all Basic Life Support equipment and skills in
accordance with all behavioral objectives in the DOT/EMT Basic curriculum. The course shall include at least 140 clock
hours of classroom, laboratory, clinical and field instruction which shall include supervised experiences in the emergency
department and with a licensed EMS provider and other settings as judged appropriate by the Program Director. In
addition, the information contained in the FEMA document entitled ‘Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Material’
shall be part of the course curriculum.”1

1
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/emstraumasystems/EducTrainManual.pdf