PTC to Provide EMT Certificate in Laurens

People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Piedmont Technical College has been providing education to prepare students in Greenwood to become certified EMTs. Beginning spring 2014, PTC will offer an EMT curriculum leading to a certificate in Laurens. The EMT certificate in Laurens will be offered at the Laurens County Emergency Medical Services building.

“In order to expand our services to students in the community, often times we partner with organizations to offer more than we can,” said Jennifer Wilbanks, associate vice president for academic affairs and off-campus at PTC.

Both Piedmont Tech and Laurens County EMS saw a need for this course. As part of the partnership, Laurens County EMS will be providing the necessary equipment and space to teach the EMT courses. Classes will be offered in the evenings on variable days with some Saturday classes.

The course is being offered as a continuing education course as well as an academic credit course. Those enrolled in the academic portion are eligible for lottery tuition assistance. Students from either approach who successfully complete the coursework and clinical hours will be eligible to take the National Registry certifying examination.

To enroll in the course, students must be 18 years of age, have no felony convictions, have appropriate placement scores, initiate a hepatitis B series by the first day of class and have the ability to lift 125 lbs.

“I’m excited about this opportunity and this relationship with Piedmont Tech that will allow this course to be brought to Laurens County,” said Chad Burrell, Laurens County EMS director.

For more information on the EMT course, contact Deborah Hoffman at (864) 941-8426 or at hoffman.d@ptc.edu. 

Photo Caption: Piedmont Technical College and Laurens County Emergency Medical Services will be partnering to offer the emergency medical technician certificate at the Laurens County EMS office. Pictured are, from left, Dr. Jennifer Wilbanks, PTC associate vice president for academic affairs and off-campus; Deborah Hoffman, PTC continuing education program manager for health and safety; Malcolm Woodard, Laurens County EMS field training officer and paramedic; Chad Burrell, Laurens County EMS director; Susan Timmons, PTC vice president for academic affairs; and Dr. Ray Brooks, PTC president.