Responding to an emergency requires multiple departments to work together seamlessly. Austin Community College District (ACC) hosted a mock emergency on Tuesday, April 4, to give students in the Emergency Medical Service Professionals (EMSP) and Professional Nursing (RN) program an opportunity to help ‘save a life.’  

“Interdepartmental training allows students to anticipate and experience interactions with other healthcare entities as a patient navigates the healthcare system. Our job is to ensure students get the most comprehensive training to better prepare them for this workforce. Paramedics and EMTs who initiate patient contact in the prehospital environment involve transitioning to the hospital setting, where they will interact with RNs and physicians” says Don Gwynn, EMSP department chair. “In anticipation of this, our students are trained in progressive assessment techniques, the most current treatment protocols, and use of modern technology to keep up with one of the fastest-paced and challenging careers in the medical industry through the EMSP program.”

Check out a slideshow of the training below.

“I appreciate the interdepartmental nature of getting to practice. We are learning not just the care paramedics provide but working with this other department and other students. They are doing different things in school but also will in their actual professional and real life. This is all part of the continuing care,” says Diana Clarkson, ACC Paramedic student. “Having that interdepartmental scenario is nice. It’s important to remember that in our career, we all will work together.”

The simulation allows students to respond to a real-world scenario. In the scenario on Tuesday, students responded to a patient suffering a mock heart attack. EMSP students treated the patient on scene before transferring them to the college’s Health Simulation Center where RN students stood by to provide next-level support and care. Students got to experience the transition and work with other medical professionals. 

About the EMSP Program

EMSP offers three levels of training: EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic. The ACC program has an almost 100% pass rate on the EMSP National Registry. More than 90% of students are placed in a career. For more information on the program, visit austincc.edu/emsp.

About the Nursing Program

ACC provides a full nursing career pathway, from the fast track certified nurse aide (CNA) (currently offered as part of the 50 percent fast-track tuition discount), to an advanced certificate in vocational nursing (LVN) or an associate degree in professional nursing to become an RN. The college also offers a pathway toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing through the RN-to-BSN program. Graduates can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed RN. Pass rates among first-time test-takers at ACC averaged 94 percent over the last decade. For more information on the program, visit austincc.edu/nursing.

View the slideshow below.