Program Handbooks > Program Handbook: Emergency Medical Technician - Basic > Clinical Practice

Clinical Practice

Clinical consists of a minimum of 10 patient assessments, one of which will be pediatric, during the final eight weeks of the program.  Clinical experiences are available in area Emergency Departments and through EMS providers.

Supervision and instruction are provided by a variety of clinical preceptors.  It is possible for clinicians to vary considerably from one site to another. However, clinical student objectives will be consistent for all sites.  Students are responsible for providing their own transportation and other associated expenses for clinical, i.e., food, parking. 

Placement for clinical requires “C” grades in all Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Certificate Program courses prior to placement.  High academic performance does not, in and of itself, ensure placement in the clinical site.  Along with academic excellence, Program Lead approval is required for placement in the clinical facility.  Inappropriate behavior may preclude clinical placement. 

Students should have fulfilled all background check, drug screen, NIMS 100 and 700, and health requirements well in advance of the clinical component of the program.  In accordance with Mercy College of Ohio academic standards and policies and procedures, if a student fails to attend any session(s) of a course for which registered as of the term's add/drop date, he/she will be DROPPED from their course (s) and will not be permitted to re-enroll in the course for that session.

Students will not be permitted to participate in the clinical portion of the curriculum (CED ES20, which occurs during the second 8-week session of the semester) if their standing in the didactic/classroom portion of the program (CED ES10) is not a “C” or better AND/OR if they have failed other program courses.  

*Not all situations are covered in these guidelines and are left up to the discretion of the Program Lead

Clinical practice and field practicum registration

Students register through Empower for clinical courses as they would any other course at the College. Students will schedule with the Clinical Coordinator for clinical time through the Platinum Planner software.  Each student will have the opportunity to choose the clinical site, time, and location for their clinical requirements.

The Clinical Coordinator will assign each student a clinical seat through Platinum Planner.

Individual clinical sites may have additional requirements for students to complete.  This information will be provided to the students assigned to that site by the Program Lead and/or authorized a representative of the College.

Clinical placement and location

The following criteria are used for placement:

• Completion of all clinical requirements including completion of NIMS 100 and 700.
• Compatibility of a student’s schedule with prospective site’s schedule 
• Student’s place of residence
• Grade point average

If the student is unable to meet the requirements of the assigned clinical placement, he or she may be unable to complete the program as prescribed. A student cannot participate in the clinical portion of the curriculum in the second semester if they have not completed the didactic/classroom portions in the first semester and achieved a “C” or better for all courses. 

Clinical and field practicum timekeeping

Students should notify the clinical site supervisor one hour prior to start time if illness or emergency causes them to be absent from clinical time.  Students will check in on Platinum Planner even if sick and then immediately check out.  Students reporting late will be sent home and will need to reschedule. Two late shifts will result in failure of the course. Students failing to show for a schedule shift with no notice may fail the course.

All absences must be made up.

Clinical and field practicum evaluation

Student academic and clinical progress is evaluated continuously throughout the program.  The Program Lead or clinical instructor is informed of the student’s progress through the clinical site supervisor.  High academic performance does not ensure continuance in the program or placement in a clinical site if the student is otherwise deemed unsuitable.

Misconduct which will prevent placement in clinical education includes, but is not limited to:

• Any form of dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on written, oral, or practical examinations
• Absenteeism
• Uses of profane or vulgar language
• Using or being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
• Violation of any college or Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Program policy
• Incomplete or omission of pertinent information from the health record
• The omission of pertinent information from the employment record
• Uncooperative, hostile, negative, or non-constructive attitudes toward College faculty, clinical instructors, or fellow students

Withdrawal/Removal from the Clinical Facility or field site

Students receiving instruction at affiliated clinical sites during the clinical experience are under the jurisdiction of the College.  Students frequently have the false impression that assignment to a site is permanent.  The College will immediately withdraw any student from clinical for reasons of health (physical and/or emotional which is impeding the student’s ability to do the work required), attendance, performance, or at the request of the clinical site supervisor. Dress code in all clinical sites will be supervised by the clinical instructor and the individual site.  Failure to maintain the required 2.0 (“C”) GPA or higher in all Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Program courses may result in withdrawal from the clinical site.  A final letter grade of “D” in the clinical course will prevent successful program completion.

Please refer to the College Catalog for details of the Student Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures.

Cell phones and calls during clinical and field practicum

The use of personal cell phones during clinicals is highly discouraged and should only be used at appropriate times.  Students may make personal calls on their scheduled break or during lunch from cell phones outside of the office/clinic.  
Office or clinic business phones are not to be used to make or to receive personal phone calls except in the event of an emergency.