FEATURE

 

 

In the ever-evolving world of Emergency Medical Services, the cycle of learning and teaching is vital, not just for individual growth but for the well-being of the community. For Samantha Grimsley, coordinator of the EMS program at Weatherford College, this cycle is at the heart of her approach to education and leadership. 

And it recently earned her the spotlight when she was honored as the EMS Educator of the Year by the Texas Department of State Health Services.  

Grimsley’s journey began in 2006 as a new high school graduate and certified EMT. Over the years, she worked her way up the ranks, gaining experience in various aspects of emergency medical services working on ambulances, fire trucks and helicopters.  

She never stopped learning. And that thirst for knowledge led her to discover a love for teaching. 

In 2021, when she received the call from WC to teach 19 hours a week, she had a tough decision to make that resulted in her leaving her full-time ambulance job and going to two part-time jobs. 

It was a “hit the ground running” experience, Grimsley said. She quickly took on more responsibilities, eventually becoming the dedicated skills lab instructor for the paramedic program. 

Shortly after starting her role as an adjunct, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians contacted her to sit on a panel to help develop and analyze certification exam questions. She said it was mentally exhausting. But she did such a great job that the registry offered her a part-time job as a subject matter expert. 

At this point, Grimsley had three part-time jobs, was a mom to a child with medical complications and was working on her bachelor’s degree. The only thing she said “no” to was sleep. 

“I’m not one to say no,” she said. “I might say ‘Let’s figure it out’ or ‘We’ll make it happen.’ But not ‘No.’” 

A week after completing her bachelor’s degree in April 2022, Grimsley received a phone call that the program director was leaving WC. Of course, she became the interim director and then director with a mission to revamp the entire EMS program. 

After developing a new curriculum for both the EMT and paramedic programs with a focus on hands-on learning, the EMT program achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the registry exam for the first time in college history.  

“Even if they end up with an associate degree, if they don’t have that registry, they can’t actually get on an ambulance,” she said about pushing the students to take and pass the exam. “If you have to come back for a second attempt, you also owe me a week of your time because now we’re going to go into a full-force refresher course.” 

The lab areas also drastically changed with the addition of a grant-funded ambulance simulator and areas for students to work through scenarios while instructors view remotely via cameras. Grimsley has also fostered collaborations with other college departments, such as the Physical Therapist Assistant program, to enhance learning experiences for all students.  

The program is also no stranger in the community as they are regularly seen at community festivals like National Night Out and Spark in the Park. 

Under Grimsley’s leadership, WC’s EMS program has become known for its high standards, innovative teaching methods and commitment to student success. This has led to increased enrollment, with the program now facing the welcome challenge of having to waitlist qualified applicants. 

“We’re maxed for space. Like we’re busting at the seams,” Grimsley said. “Come fall, we’re going to have two paramedic programs and an EMT program all in one semester. There will be somebody in this building every single day, if not both programs on top of each other.” 

To help ensure the program is a good fit for potential students, Grimsley has implemented a student interview process emphasizing the importance of understanding the demands and expectations of the EMS profession. 

“You’re going to see people in some of their worst moments,” she said. “We want to make sure this is the right fit for them.” 

She also makes sure they understand the level of continued learning required from this career path. Always the student, Grimsley is currently working on her master’s degree while she continues to find ways to improve her own teaching. 

“Every year we put more on the students, keep raising the bar,” she said. “From when I first started, students are now learning skills like a critical care paramedic and that’s not the scope of practice for a paramedic, but the employers are wanting that out of them because there’s a need for it in this area. In five years, if protocols keep changing the way they are, we’re going to be asking way more.”