Emergency Medical Services Programs Essential Functions

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and Paramedic program students must be able to demonstrate critical, logical and analytical thinking while also possessing motor, auditory and visual skills that enable them to meet program objectives and perform job duties required by the profession.

Disability Act Statement: Madison College complies with all provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and makes reasonable accommodations upon request for qualified individuals. If you believe you may need accommodations to assist you in performing the functions listed below, please contact the Disability Resource Services (DRS) office at (608)246-6716 or (800)322-6282 ext. 6716 (deaf students via Relay 711) or via email. To promote your success, accommodation requests must be received by the end of the second week of your first course.

Gross Motor Skills

Move within confined spaces
Reach above shoulder
Reach below waist
Reach out front

Fine Motor Skills

Pick up objects with hands
Grasp small objects with hands
Write with pen or pencil
Key/type
Pinch / pick / squeeze with fingers
Twist
Good eye hand & foot coordination
Simultaneous hand wrist & finger movement.

Physical Endurance

Walking and Standing
Sustain repetitive motions (CPR)
Climbing and Balancing   
Stooping
Kneeling
Crouching
Crawling

Physical Strength

Lift, carry, and balance up to 125 pounds
(250 pounds with assistance)
Carry equipment / supplies
Use upper body strength (CPR)
Squeeze with hands

Vision

See objects up to 20 inches away (small needles)
See objects up to 20 feet away
Use depth perception
Use peripheral vision
Distinguish color and color intensity
See in a darkened room

Environment

Work in cold, with or without temperature changes
Work in extreme heat, with or without temperature changes
Work in wet and/or humid conditions
Work in noise and/or vibration
Work in Hazards
Work in atmospheric conditions  

Hearing

Hear and discriminate at speech normal conversational sound levels
Hear faint voices
Hear faint body sounds (shallow breathing)
Ability to discriminate speech in noise
Hear in situations when not able to see (back turned, mask)

Tactile

Feel vibrations
Detect hot and cold temperatures
Feel differences in surface characteristics
Feel differences in sizes & shapes

Reading

Read medication/prescription labels
Accurately read a Drug Reference Manual
Accurately read a road map
Review written reports for accuracy
Read professional journals

Math

Tell time
Measure time
Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and count
Compute fractions and decimals
Perform quickly and precisely mathematical calculations using ratio and proportion
Document numbers in records

Interpersonal skills

Establish rapport with EMS personnel, patients, family members, bystanders, and other health care providers.

Communication Skills

Exhibit & comprehend nonverbal cues
Speaks English
Writes English
Read English
Understand English
Listen & comprehend spoken / written word
Communicate verbally with diverse cultures and age groups
Collaborate with others

Emotional Stability

Independent and confident
Adapt to changing environments
Deals with the unexpected
Establish professional relationships
Accept feedback appropriately
Accept responsibility of own actions
Ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations
Ability to assume the role of team leader

Critical Thinking

Comprehends & follows instructions
Identifies cause-effect relationships
Ability to draw valid conclusions expediently relevant to patient’s condition, often using limited information.

Analytical Thinking

Problem solve
Transfer knowledge from one situation to another
Process & interpret written & oral information from multiple sources
Apply math concepts
Analyze & interpret abstract and concrete data
Prioritize Tasks (time management)
Evaluates outcomes
Use short & long-term memory
Plan & Control activities