February 11, 2010

News Release

TISD, TJC Announce EMS Dual-Credit Agreement Friday

            The Tyler Independent School District and Tyler Junior College will announce a new joint venture to provide dual-credit college courses to John Tyler and Robert E. Lee high school students in emergency medical services professions on Friday, February 12, at 10 a.m.

            The announcement will take place at TJC’s West campus, 1530 SSW Loop 323. Members of East Texas Medical Center EMS, Champion EMS and the Tyler Fire Department will be bring state of the art emergency equipment and be on hand to support the announcement and the signing of an agreement between Tyler ISD and TJC.  The announcement is scheduled to take place in the north parking lot of the campus. The ceremony will move indoors to the lobby of the Regional Training and Development Complex in case of inclement weather.

            Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid and TJC President Dr. Mike Metke will provide comments on the impact of the agreement, and then sign documents to authorize the career-focused course work.  John Tyler and Robert E. Lee students who apply and are accepted for the dual credit program will begin study toward becoming an emergency medical technician in the fall of 2010. Courses will be taught on the TJC West campus.

            “We are very excited about this partnership with TJC,” said Dr. Reid. “This will provide our students a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to not only this career path but other professions offered through the college as well.  They will receive a jump start on a post secondary education that will help to prepare them for the workforce.”

            TJC dean of allied health and nursing, Paul Monagan, said, “EMT certification training is an excellent start for an individual who is thinking of a health-related career or has a focus on becoming a professional fire fighter. Students will learn how to serve in a crisis and if they enjoy providing hands-on patient care in acute medical situations.  Many of the skills learned in the EMT courses will be useful as the student continues studies toward becoming a licensed paramedic, firefighter, nurse, or working in another health career such as medical imaging and respiratory care technology.  Students who complete the dual-credit EMT program will earn additional admissions points toward these limited-access programs at TJC.”

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