Black River Technical College (BRTC) has created a partnership with East Arkansas Community College (EACC) to help alleviate the need for an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) instructor at EACC. This partnership allows BRTC EMS Director Brandon Johnson to instruct courses at both institutions.
Paramedic instructors have become a rare find in the state of Arkansas. The terminal degree for the EMS profession is an associate’s, but institutions require a bachelor’s to teach. Before hiring Johnson in July of 2024, BRTC had been searching for an EMS instructor for two years.
“The shortage of EMTs and paramedics has been very problematic for health providers and the individuals serves by these highly needed professionals,” Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Brad Baine said. “This partnership will benefit both institutions by allowing more students to receive quality training and in return these students can earn the appropriate credentials to positively impact and save lives in the communities they serve.”
BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger knew about the need and decided to use it an opportunity for BRTC to take on a leadership role in EMS education. Johnson floated the idea to Dr. George Hatch, executive director of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), at a CoAEMSP meeting. Hatch said it was not uncommon for two programs to have the same director, but it was rare for it to be in the form of a partnership.
“This is uncharted territory, but like any good trip into the unknown it is also exciting,” Johnson said.
For more information about BRTC’s EMT/Paramedic program visit https://blackrivertech.edu/college-coursework/academic-units/allied-health/emt-paramedic/, or contact Brandon Johnson at brandon.johnson@blackrivertech.edu