Immunization Notice

In order to maintain compliance with Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 97, Subchapter B, rule §97.64 all immunization requirements must be met prior to any patient contact in the clinical setting. These immunizations include:

1. Tetanus-diphtheria within 10 years
2. Measles (two doses) (preferably MMR vaccine)
3. Mumps (preferably MMR vaccine)
4. Rubella (preferably MMR vaccine)
5. Hepatitis-B Immunization (3-injection series requiring 4-6 months for completion)
6. Varicella (chicken pox)

In addition, proof of a negative Tuberculin (TB) Skin Test (within the last year) is required.

Program Information

Thank you for your interest in the Emergency Medical Services Professions Program at Amarillo College. The program offers academic and continuing education curricula designed for people who desire to work in the field of emergency medicine. Our students range from initial certification students, seeking to prepare themselves for that first ambulance ride, to seasoned veterans of ground and flight services; hospital emergency departments and critical care units; and physicians offices and clinics seeking continuing education.

Amarillo College has been involved in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Education since the inception of the industry. The Department of Paramedicine Technology was created in January of 1984. The program has evolved over the years to what it is today; The Department of Emergency Medical Services Professions. The advanced components of the curriculum were dramatically revised and the revisions were implemented in January of 1993. The latest curriculum revision was developed in 1998-1999 and was implemented in June, 2000 which made the program the most extensive EMS Education program in Texas at the time. The advanced program is now almost 2,000 contact hours long. The program currently graduates around 10-20 Paramedics annually from our on-campus program. Off-campus offerings are delivered as requested by communities and EMS Services in the Amarillo College service area. Basic classes are open admission, advanced courses are closed to accepted applicants, filled on a competitive admission process.

The EMSP program conducts classes both on, and off the Amarillo College West Campus and our students perform clinical rotations and field internships at various Amarillo area hospitals and Advanced Life Support/Mobile Intensive Care Unit Ambulance Services. These facilities expose our students to the latest, cutting edge pre-hospital and in-hospital medical experience and allow the students to work under the direct supervision of some of the finest medical and allied health professionals in the country. Upon graduation, our students hold the following minimum credentials:

American Heart Association: Basic Life Support Provider/Instructor (CPR-P/I)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider (ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support Provider (PALS)

National Association of Emergency Medical Technician: Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Provider

Moreover, they are eligible to apply for credentialing from:

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians:

Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (NREMT-P)

Texas Department of State Health Services (optional):

Licensed Paramedic, or EMT-Paramedic

EMS-Instructor at the basic and advanced levels

Program Faculty

Doug Adcock is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Emergency Medical Services Professions program. He is a Licensed Paramedic and has been an EMS provider since 1987. He began his career in Emergency Medical Services as an EMT with Canyon EMS and Palo Duro Hospital. He has worked for Northwest Texas Healthcare, Amarillo Medical Services, Rico Aviation, and was coordinator for the Panhandle EMS System for five years. He began his employment with Amarillo College as part time faculty in 1991. He has experience as a field paramedic, flight paramedic, emergency medical dispatcher, and as an organ and tissue donation specialist for LifeGift. Doug received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from West Texas A&M University. Doug holds the NREMT-P certification, Critical Care Emergency Medical Tranport - Paramedic,as well as numerous other credentials and certifications from agencies including the American Heart Association, Texas Department of State Health Services and the National Association of EMTs.

Paul Whitfield is a tenured Associate Professor for the Emergency Medical Services Professions program. He is a Licensed Paramedic and has been an EMS provider since 1980. He began his career in Emergency Medical Services as a firefighter with the City of Amarillo Fire Department and employment with Amarillo Medical Services. He began his employment with Amarillo College as a full-time faculty member in January, 1990. Paul received his Master of Science Degree in Health Education and Wellness Program Development from West Texas A&M University, Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from West Texas State University, and an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paramedicine Technology from Amarillo College. Paul holds the NREMT-P certification as well as numerous other credentials and certifications from agencies including the Texas Department of State Health Services, the National Association of EMT’s, and the American Heart Association.

Wade Olsen is an Instructor in the Emergency Medical Services Professions Program. He is a Licensed Paramedic and has been an EMS provider since 1987. He began his career in Emergency Medical Services as a volunteer for the Vega, Texas Ambulance Service and as a Communications Technician in the PEMSS Dispatch Center at Northwest Texas Hospital. He worked as a Paramedic for Amarillo Medical Services for seven years and promoted to a Field Operations Supervisor where he served for nine years. Prior to coming to the EMSP Program as a full-time faculty member, Wade worked as a part-time instructor in the program for fourteen years. He began his full-time employment with Amarillo College in August, 2006. Wade received his Master of Education Degree in Professional Technical Education from Eastern New Mexico University. Additionally, Wade holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from West Texas A&M University and two Associate Degrees; one from Clarendon College and another from Amarillo College. He holds the NREMT-P certification as well as numerous other credentials and certifications from agencies including the American Heart Association, Texas Department of State Health Services and the National Association of EMTs.