Description

The AAS in Paramedicine is designed for students seeking a career in emergency medical services and/or the fire service industry. The program meets or exceeds the required technical skills and knowledge necessary for national and state licensure testing. It is challenging and will require participants to spend between 600 and 800 hours in clinical and field settings. The program contains certification requirements at the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic levels--students will need to satisfy a computer-based and practical hands-on test through the National Registry of EMTs to complete certification.

Paramedics work in a variety of settings including fire departments, private and public ambulance services, hospitals (emergency departments), emergency communication systems, law enforcement agencies, search and rescue, recreation industry, forest service/smokejumpers and some rural clinical environments. Paramedics provide many services to their communities, often working in teams where communication and technical skills are expected. Starting salaries range from $3,500 to $5000 per month.

COCC’s paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Hwy 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
https://www.caahep.org/

CoAEMSP
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX  75088
214-703-8445
FAX 214-703-8992
 

Learning Outcomes

1. Critical Thinking: Use critical thinking skills to confidently and effectively manage emergency situations.
2. Professional Standards: Practice professional standards by demonstrating a strong work ethic, positive attitude, respect for patients, ability to work cooperatively as a health care team member, and willingness to maintain and enhance technical skills.
3. Communication: Communicate clearly and professionally using verbal and nonverbal communication techniques.
4. Assessment: Perform accurate scene safety and patient assessments.
5. Technical Knowledge: Apply appropriate emergency medical and technical knowledge as required in emergency situations.
6. Personal Well-being & Safety: Apply safety and infection control practices to maintain personal and professional well- being and to ensure patient safety.
7. Clinical & Technical Skills: Manage emergency patient care and treatment appropriately within the scope of practice for an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic.
8. Medical Legal Issues: Apply legal knowledge and medical ethics to all patient care situations by documenting accurate and complete patient records and reports and maintaining patient confidentiality.
9. Certification: Meet requirements for certification at appropriate level

Entrance Requirements

Academic Entrance Requirements

• Required:
  • Successfully complete the application process and be accepted into paramedic program. 
• Recommended:
  • It is strongly recommended that candidates planning to enroll in the paramedicine program have a strong background in high school or college math and chemistry. This knowledge will enhance the student’s success in anatomy and physiology and college-level math.

Other Entrance Requirements

• Required:
  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Students must be 18 years old or older prior to day 1 of any EMT class, and to be eligible test for state and national exams.
  • A current Health Care Provider CPR card is required prior to placement into EMT or paramedic courses.
  • Uploaded and verified, required immunizations as set forth in clinical agreement with St. Charles hospital system.
  • Information on the courses that are required for entry into the paramedic course as prerequisites and those used to calculate points for selection can be found on the paramedicine website.
  • All COCC students enrolled in an EMT or paramedic course and/or seeking agency affiliation requiring practical experience, will have to pass a background check as a condition of their acceptance into a medical, fire or other facility for training. Students who do not pass the background check may not be eligible to complete training at affiliated sites, to sit for licensure or certification exams, or to be hired for some professional positions. Students who believe their personal history may interfere with their ability to complete the program of study or to obtain licensure or certification in their chosen field should contact the appropriate state board and the paramedicine program director.
  • Prior to entry into a health profession program, students must complete a 10 panel urine drug screen with Verified Credentials, Inc. With the exception of certain prescribed medications, students with a positive drug screen, which prevents them from attending clinical, will be disqualified from entering the program. Please refer to the paramedicine website and/or program handbook for more information.

Additional Program Costs (beyond standard tuition/fees and textbooks)

Material Costs

• CPR for Healthcare Provider card: $79. Must remain current throughout EMT basic and paramedic classes.
• Background check: $55. Students must pass a prior to enrolling in the EMT basic or paramedic classes.
• Drug screen: $55.
• Verified Credentials Immunization upload $15. My Clinical Exchange Upload (St. Charles clinicals) $36.50. Documentation of completion of the following immunizations; Hepatitis B, current TB, MMR, annual Influenza, Tetanus within previous 10 years, Varicella (Chickenpox).
• In some cases fees associated with immunizations can range from $20-$200.
• Materials (stethoscope, paramedic field manual, uniforms, etc.) range from $50-$250.
• Testing fees which include National Registry computer exams, practical skills testing, fingerprint background checks (depending on location of practical testing) range from $450-$1,000 (includes travel outside of the area).
• Paramedic students should anticipate costs for housing and living expenses when doing their field internship outside of the local area.

Course Requirements

Advising Notes

• Students should contact the Admissions and Records office to obtain details for paramedic course selection and application process.
• Speak with an advisor prior to registration to get a list of recommended courses in categories that offer more than one option such as the general education requirement.
• Speak with the paramedicine program director to make sure students understand the state and national testing process for EMT and paramedic courses.

Performance Standards

• Academic Requirements:
  • Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
  • All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
• Additional Requirements:
  • All students will undergo drug screening, background check and immunization verification with the vendor approved by Central Oregon Community College, prior to entrance into the EMT or Paramedic certification courses, at their expense. Students will be administratively withdrawn from the program and the seat given to an alternate student if requirements are not initiated with the specified vendor by the due date indicated by the Paramedicine program. Students with a positive urine drug screen will be disqualified from entering the EMT or Paramedic certification courses at Central Oregon Community College, with the exception of certain prescribed medications. The director of EMS/SFS will notify the student of positive drug screens and their resulting disqualification from the program. Students have a right to appeal the decision.
  • State requirements: 85 percent attendance in EMT or Paramedic classes; 100 percent attendance for clinical and field rotations; and students must pass the overall EMT or Paramedic class at a minimum of 76 percent to sit for state and national registry testing and certification.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed at an average of a 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • Students must maintain a minimum overall 2.7 GPA to maintain enrollment in the program; students falling below an overall 2.7 GPA during the Paramedicine program will have one term to correct the deficit. Students who fail to bring their grades up may not be allowed to register the following term and complete the course. They may reapply for the following year if they meet current requirements as set in Paramedic program readmission policy. Students applying for readmission who have failed a course will have to repeat the entire program sequence.
  • Upon completion of EMT 151 Emergency Medical Technician Part A and EMT 152 Emergency Medical Technician Part B, students must pass the National Registry exam and be certified in the state of Oregon before continuing in Paramedic courses. Currently certified students do not need to retake the courses for the degree but must hold a current Oregon EMT License or higher to enter the Paramedic course. License must remain current during entire program including CWE; failure to maintain current license and CPR card will result in student removal from the program.

Sample Plan