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Physical Demands

In keeping with its mission and goals, and in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Medical Campus promotes an environment of respect and support for persons with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations. The definition of individuals with disabilities are those who currently have, have a record of having, or are regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. Major life activities include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, and working.

In order to fulfill the requirements of the First Responder/EMT/Paramedic Certificate Program at Miami Dade College, students must be able to meet the physical demands associated with the profession. Examples of these requirements include but are not limited to the following:

Strength and Endurance

Strength and Endurance
Physical Demands How Often Used
Standing Frequently
Walking Frequently
Sitting Occasionally
Lifting (up to 125 pounds) Frequently
Carrying Frequently
Pushing Frequently
Pulling Frequently

COMMENTS:

Very little time is spent sitting down except for writing reports. Aptitude required for work of this nature are good physical stamina, endurance, and body conditions that would not be adversely affected by lifting, carrying and balancing at times. Motor coordination is necessary for the well being of the patient, the First Responder/EMT/Paramedic and the co-worker over uneven terrain.

Balance and Coordination

Balance and Coordination
Physical Demands How Often Used
Balancing Frequently
Climbing Frequently
Crouching Frequently
Crawling Frequently
Stooping Frequently
Kneeling Frequently
Reaching Frequently
Fingering Frequently
Feeling Frequently

COMMENTS:

Climbing and balancing are required for safe transport of the patient and equipment. Patients are often found injured or sick in locations where removal is possible only through the First Responder/EMT/Paramedic’s stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling.
Transporting lifesaving equipment, arm extension, handling carefully patients in fragile conditions, feeling to assess vital signs are part of the nature of this position.

Communication

Communication
Physical Demands How Often Used
Talking Frequently
Hearing Frequently
Seeing Frequently
Communicating Frequently

COMMENTS:

Responding to patients, physicians, and co-workers through hearing is necessary in transmitting patient information and following directions. Sight is used to drive vehicles, distinguish landmarks and visually inspect patients.

Individuals requesting a milestone review, progression to clinical courses, and graduation from a program in Nursing and Health Sciences must be able to meet the physical and emotional requirements of the academic program. In addition, students admitted to the programs in Nursing and Health Sciences must possess the following qualities:

  • The emotional maturity and stability to approach highly stressful human situations in a calm and rational manner.
  • The ability to make clinical judgment using critical thinking
  • The ability to adhere to ethical standards of conduct as well as applicable state and federal laws
  • The ability to provide effective written, oral, nonverbal communication with patients and their families, colleagues, health care providers, and the public
  • The ability to successfully complete all requirements needed to receive BLS/ACLS certification as defined by the American Heart Association

Because of the unique responsibilities involved in all Allied Health professions, each department reserves the right to require that the student who appears to be unsuited for any program therein withdraw from the program and be guided into another curriculum of study at the college.

An individual who poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or themselves may be denied admission, progression or graduation. The college's determination that a person poses a direct threat will be based on an individualized assessment that relies on current medical evidence or on the best available evidence to assess the nature, duration, and severity of the risk and the probability that the potential injury will actually occur.