Perkins Grant to Provide EMS Patient Simulator

Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus has received a $39,000 Perkins Reserve Fund Grant for its emergency medical technology/paramedic program.

The grant funds will be utilized to purchase a Smart Stat patient simulator.

"With the purchase of the Smart Stat simulator, EMS instructors will have the capability to utilize the simulator in various locations around campus due to its portability," said Todd Birkhead, program chair for the ATU-Ozark EMT/paramedic program. "It has many functions that will give instructors and students the ability to simulate medical and trauma emergencies."

According to the U.S. Department of Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall EMT/paramedic industry is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021-2023. Approximately 20,000 openings in the field are projected each year, on average, over the upcoming decade. The national median annual wages in 2021 were $35,000 for emergency medical technicians and $46,000 for paramedics.

"Funding from the Perkins grant allows the ATU-Ozark EMT/paramedic program to enhance kinesthetic learning that promotes student engagement and industry-relevant practices," said Dr. Sheila Jacobs, ATU-Ozark chief academic officer. "We are grateful for this program enhancement opportunity."

Through the Perkins Reserve Fund Grant, the U.S. Congress appropriates approximately $1.4 billion per year in state formula grant funds to strengthen career and technical education in accordance the 21st Century Act, which became law in 2018 and was a reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

Learn more about ATU-Ozark at www.atu.edu/ozark.