EMS Academy
The MetroAtlanta EMS Academy is a consortium developed between Kennesaw State University-WellStar School of Nursing and MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service. The EMS Academy was established to provide working EMS professionals the opportunity for educational development and growth by providing access to quality instruction, education and practical training courses required to pass the National Registry of EMT, AEMT and Paramedic certification exams.
Our programs are designed to accommodate working EMS personnel who are not able to attend a traditional College/University program. It has been specifically designed to accommodate individuals working on 24/48 hour and California 12 rotating shifts.
“I recently did a series of 3rd rides with your company. The knowledge and support I received from all the EMTs and Medics was more than I could have ever expected.”
– Robert Cook, EMS Student
Our Team
Marty Billings, B.Ed., M.Ed
Dean, EMS Academy
Rob Bozicevich, BS, MPH
EMS Academy Manager
Instructor Coordinator
(Paramedic)
Richard Wheat, BS, MSA
Instructor Coordinator
(Paramedic)
Lisa Birkinbine, BA, MBA
Instructor Coordinator
(Paramedic)
EMR Program
The EMS Academy Emergency Medical Responder is approved by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma and is open to individuals looking to start a career in the field of Emergency Medical Services. The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is an entry level license required for a career in emergency services. EMRs provide immediate lifesaving care to critical patients who access the emergency medical services system. EMRs have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide immediate lifesaving interventions while awaiting additional EMS resources to arrive. EMRs also provide assistance to higher-level personnel at the scene of emergencies and during transport. Emergency Medical Responders are a vital part of the comprehensive EMS response. Under medical oversight, Emergency Medical Responders perform basic interventions with minimal equipment. MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service hires non licensed individuals as EMT Recruits to work while attending school.
For more information, contact Human Resources at 770-693-8404.
EMT Program
The EMS Academy EMT program is approved by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma and is open to individuals looking to start a career in the field of Emergency Medical Services. The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is the entry level license required for a career in emergency services. MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service hires non licensed individuals as EMT Recruits to work while attending school.
For more information, contact Human Resources at 770-693-8404.
AEMT Program 
The EMS Academy Advanced EMT (AEMT) program is approved by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma and open to current EMTs employed by MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service. The AEMT student learns to perform more advanced skills in addition to those performed by the EMT. The AEMT in Georgia can administer medications (Aspirin, nitroglycerine, bronchial dilators, epinephrine, Glucagon, D50 and Narcan), and can perform advanced skills, such as placing blind insertion airway devices, administer intravenous fluids, administer medications and perform other critical skills required in the stabilization of critical patients. AEMT courses are offered 2 times each year.
For more information, employees should contact the EMS Academy at 770-693-8422.
Paramedic Program
The Paramedic Class is offered annually, beginning in March, and prepares students with the knowledge and skills required to operate as a Nationally Registered Paramedic. MetroAtlanta EMS Academy pass rates on the National Registry Examination are among the highest in the State of Georgia.
CoAEMSP Pass & Retention Reporting
The Paramedic program curriculum combines a superior level of academic and clinical experiences in the classroom, at local healthcare facilities and with MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service. Paramedic clinicals are incorporated to develop skills, experiences and knowledge to prepare the student to successfully perform the duties of a Paramedic. Clinicals follow a natural progression, from assessing simple vital signs to providing more complex assessments and treatments, in a sequenced fashion through a competency-based evaluation process.
Paramedics function in the field with guidance from their instructors, state certified EMS preceptors and physician oversight before graduating to become crucial members of a comprehensive EMS response system. The program is approved by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs-Committee on Accreditation of EMS Programs (CoAEMSP)
The Paramedic program is currently not open to the public. Students employed full-time as EMTs with MetroAtlanta Ambulance, Bartow County Fire Department, Cartersville Fire Department, Cobb County Fire Department, Marietta Fire Department, Smyrna Fire Department and Paulding County Fire Department may be sponsored into the program by their respective department. All applicants must pass a proctored written entrance exam and score 75 or higher and meet other pre-course requirements to be eligible to interview for the class. Scholarships may be available from individual employers. Applicants are encouraged to check with their department training and education staff to see if sponsorship opportunities exist.
For more information, contact the MetroAtlanta EMS Academy at 770-693-8422.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Program
The Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Critical Intensive Care Paramedic (CICP)
The Critical Intensive Care Paramedic (CICP) Class is open to experienced full-time MetroAtlanta Ambulance Paramedics with a minimum of three years of Paramedic field experience. CICP candidates must also have current BLS, ACLS and one pediatric specialty course (PALS) and one trauma specialty course (ITLS, PHTLS or ATLS). The CICP course is 120 hours with 80 hours of classroom/didactic education and 40 hours of clinical experiences designed to help educate and expose the CICP student to high-acuity patients in a variety of healthcare settings where he/she is required to care for a patient using the equipment and skills needed to safety transport a Critical Care Patient. The CICP skills are also required to transport donors for the LifeLink Organ Recover Program. The CICP course prepares the Paramedic to safely transfer high-risk, critically-ill or injured patients from one hospital facility to another using advanced equipment such as an Impella Heart Pump, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump, Ventilator and Multiple Medication IV Pumps. Quarterly online and/or classroom CICP continuing education is required to maintain this level of licensure.
The MetroAtlanta Ambulance Critical Care program is approved by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma. Courses are conducted on an as needed basis.
For more information, contact the MetroAtlanta EMS Academy at 770-693-8422.
CAAHEP
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Contact CAAHEP:
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
CoAEMSP
Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
Contact CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445 / FAX (214) 703-8992
www.coaemsp.org
All EMS programs are approved by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of EMS and Trauma. For additional information about the Georgia Licensing process or reciprocity for EMS professionals, please visit www.dph.georgia.gov/EMS