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Roane State Community College (RSCC) is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Education to offer a dual enrollment First Responder course. The partnership opens postsecondary health science courses to high school juniors and seniors. The success of the model encourages higher education institutions to pursue similar educational opportunities.
Though postsecondary career and technical education courses are widely available to high school students, many institutions of higher education are reluctant to permit dual enrollment in courses in health science. In offering a First Responder course to high school students, Roane State is breaking this barrier.
The idea began in spring 2008 when the director of the RSCC EMT/Paramedic Program, Danny Sheckles, met with Sheila Carlton, Tennessee Department of Education Health Science Consultant, to discuss the integration of the secondary Emergency Medical Service (EMS) course with the postsecondary First Responder course. Because of numerous shared competencies, it did not take long to merge the courses.
Carlton states, "For students in the state of Tennessee, I think this is going to be a very dynamic opportunity. I personally know many health care professionals who got the 'health care bug' by starting as First Responders and EMTs. If we can help sixteen- and seventeen-year-old students realize they have a love for health care with this program, then they will be more successful with their careers."
Two pilot courses were offered in fall 2008 with 24 students enrolled. The pilot program grew to 147 students enrolled in nine classes in spring 2008 with ten additional high schools scheduling classes for fall 2009. Student success was evidenced by the end-of-course grades: 42 percent earned an A and there were no failures. Although high school counselors and health science instructors recommended students for the program, there were no academic prerequisites per se. Students who had completed a secondary Anatomy and Physiology course were better prepared for the rigorous curriculum.
Because of this pilot program, the following high school program of study has been established:
Health Science Education (9th grade)As the first course in a postsecondary program, First Responder provides a seamless transition to the Roane State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate program, which can lead to a two-year degree in Allied Health Sciences. By taking a foundational course for a postsecondary degree, high school students have an opportunity to explore their interests while advancing toward their career goals. When they have completed the course, students who are 18 years of age are eligible to sit for the State First Responder Certification Examination. The age restriction is currently under consideration for policy revision and is expected to be lowered to 17 within the year.
Medical Therapeutics (10th grade)
Anatomy and Physiology (11th grade)
EMS/First Responder (12th grade)
In the EMS/First Responder program, the high school health science teacher teaches the course in conjunction with an assigned RSCC adjunct faculty, who is a certified First Responder instructor. Class is conducted five days a week with the high school teacher always present. The program accommodates the flexibility of college adjuncts’ schedules but requires 90 student contact hours.
The Tennessee Department of Health Division of Emergency Medical Services requires that specific equipment and supplies be onsite. High schools are expected to provide the necessary items, though RSCC has loaned equipment to some schools during the pilot. All participating high schools are expected to have the equipment by fall 2009, utilizing Perkins IV funds and other resources. Textbooks have been purchased individually by students at some high schools while some LEAs chose to assist students in the purchase. State adoption of the textbook is pending.
"It has been a learning experience for the high schools and for the college, requiring effort to overcome the challenges, but we are excited to engage students in learning about the medical field," says Director Danny Sheckles. "Providing young people hands-on experience in exploring career options benefits us all."
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