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Dec. 13, 2011
VOL. 72, NO. 5
New course can save lives Instructors will teach basic skills of Emergency Medical Services BY OLIVIA PAYNE TIMES STAFF
A new prerequisite course is going to be implemented in the Emergency Medical Services program at San Jose City College. The first respondent course, Emergency Medical Services 010, will begin in the spring 2012 semester. According to the spring 2012 course catalog, the prerequisite will prepare students to function as an EMT-B in clinical and emergency medical services. “We are preparing them for a career in the EMS where they should have an easy transition, by us making sure that they maintain the standards of EMS,” Newly appointed EMS Instructor Scott Miller said. The students are taught anatomy, psychology, procedures dealing with behavioral issues, treating open chest wounds and abdominal respirations said Miller who has been working in the program since 2005. “We instill that when they come to this program, we are preparing them for a service in the 9-11 system,” Miller said. “That’s why they wear the uniform and badges everywhere so that they know what to expect when they get into the field.”
Miller said he is working to add to the program, a long-term goal is to bring an advanced EMT program to SJCC’s Health Science department. Miller said his ultimate goal is to apply an associate’s degree in EMS. “At the beginning of the semester the program has 90-110 students enrolled, at the end of the program 50-55 student’s graduate,” Miller said. Miller said in this field there are career opportunities as emergency room technicians checking vital signs and administering some of the medications that are taught in the class. An ER tech provides basic treatment of patients. They can also do physical therapy. The biggest career opportunity is working on the ambulance in the 9-11 system. “Students are being prepared for Inner-Facility Transport. After completion of the program, that’s where most of the students end up going,” Miller said. The IFT has students working on a Basic Life Support Ambulance. They transport patients from home to ER or from the hospital to a convalescent home. “On the ride along we are right there, hands-on and
JUAN MENDOZA / TIMES STAFF
Preparing for finals, Patsy Ledesma, left, and Jessica Le, right, practice putting a neck brace on fellow classmate Bleysyka Torres, center, on Tuesday, Dec. 6 in T-514. involved,” said Bleysyka Torres, 25, nursing major student. “It gives me more practice so I can feel more comfortable doing what I will be doing in the future.” The IFT is a stepping stone where students get a solid basic life support foundation before they get to advanced EMT, said Miller. “Even if I don’t go into the field to work as an EMT, I feel that my family is much more protected because I took this course. I feel that I can assist them in any medical emergency, “Torres said.
The program has 10 instructors that assist with the hands-on training and the ride alongs. “We teach hands on all the skills necessary to be an EMT”, said instructor Manny Gadduang. During the summer time, students who are transitioning out of the university system to medical schools come to the EMS program to get medical basics, before they go off to medical school, Miller said. “My goal is to expand the program to fire lining EMT, where students learn fire
behavior, how to deal with major fires and treat people in fire lines,” Miller said. “It’s not actual fire fighting it’s working with medics and fire teams on the fire lines.” By next year Miller said he plans to have the prerequisite, fire lining and a CPR course offered at San Jose City College. “Most people think that the program is limited to just ambulance work,” Miller said. “The course is a lower level of pre-med; it gives students an idea of where they want to be in the medicine world.”
American Chemical Society honors professor Adamczeski given a teacher-scholar award in a ceremony at the Biltmore
CORDELL KINTNER / TIMES STAFF
Harry Ungar gives San Jose City College professor Madeline Adamczeski the Teacher-Scholar Award on Nov. 17 at the Biltmore Hotel.
BY CORDELL KINTNER TIMES STAFF
In a room behind the bar in the Biltmore Hotel, the American Chemical Society held its annual awards ceremony in honor of Madeline Adamczeski, 50, professor of chemistry and director of the Western Regional Center for Peer Lead Team Learning Division of Math and Science, S111. The Teacher-Scholar Award, given to faculty members who show extraordinary efforts and to recognize work of outstanding community college faculty, was awarded to Adamczeski on Nov. 17. “I believe I received the award because I go above and beyond,” Adamczeski said. “I try to make opportunities for my students to succeed.” One of the major accomplishments Adamczeski spearheaded was bringing the PLTL program to SJCC. PLTL is a program in which students who do well in the class are recruited to be leaders, and they assist their fellow students in learning and problem solving.
Adamczeski’s students feel it was a great decision giving the award to her. “She works so hard and dedicates so much of herself to all of her students that it’s unbelievable,” said Athena Ford, 22, nursing student. Approximately 100 people attended the award ceremony, which consisted of dinner, then a short presentation about the various programs the ACS is implementing in schools, before they presented Adamczeski with her award. Adamczeski gave a short speech to accept her award. “To do what you love, and love what you do, is the greatest honor of all,” Adamczeski said. Students from the SJCC branch of the ACS were also in attendance. “I think she’s one of the best teachers I’ve had,” said Oscar Sanchez, 19, athletic training student, “She’s always busy because she’s always helping here or there, but overall she’s a very great teacher.” The award consisted of a plaque with her name engraved on it, as well as a $500 grant from the ACS.
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