Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
Program Description
The Paramedic Program is designed to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.
The Paramedic provides care to emergency patients in an out-of-hospital setting. In addition to providing initial emergency treatment, the emerging roles and responsibilities of the Paramedic also include public education, health promotion and participation in injury and illness prevention programs.
The course of study is designed to enhance all facets of the Paramedic’s scope of practice. A Diploma is awarded upon completion of all specialized advanced emergency coursework of the Paramedic program. An Associate of Applied Science in EMS Degree is awarded upon successful completion of the Paramedic program and the additional listed General Education courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1010 | English Composition I | 3.0 |
| SPCH 1090 | Fund of Human Communication | 3.0 |
| BIOS 1100 | Basic Anatomy & Physiology | 3.0 |
| PSYC 1810 | Intro to Psychology | 3.0 |
| SOCI 1010 | Intro to Sociology | 3.0 |
| Any BSAD or CSCE Course | 3.0 | |
The program is offered on two timelines. The original focuses on the part-time, non-traditional student. The didactic training is offered two evenings a week and one full Saturday per month over a 15-month period. Following completion of the didactic training, students have 12 months to complete their clinical and field training at arranged hospitals and field agencies. Students will complete a minimum of 230 hours in a Clinical (hospital) environment and 300 hours of Field internship. When all course requirements are successfully completed, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry Paramedic cognitive and psychomotor exams.
An accelerated version of paramedic training is also available. This training consolidates the didactic training into 12 weeks. Students attend class on location at McCook Community College for 40 hours each week. Upon successful completion of didactic requirements, students progress to clinical and field practicums and will complete a minimum of 230 hours in a Clinical (hospital) environment and 300 hours of Field internship. When all course requirements are completed, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry cognitive and psychomotor exams. Accelerated paramedic students have one year to complete all program requirements.
MPCC continues to offer both traditional and accelerated Paramedic training in order to meet the ongoing needs and demands of the Emergency Medical Services profession.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a completed file for acceptance into the Accelerated Paramedic Program. Please read and comply with the following admission requirements:
- Fulfill MPCC General Admission Requirements. The Paramedic program does not require ACT, Compass or AccuPlacer. AccuPlacer may be required to complete A.A.S. degree requirements.
- Complete an online application to MPCC as a degree seeking student. Specify interest in the Accelerated Paramedic program.
- Submit official high school transcript or GED.
- Submit official college or university transcripts.
- Complete one of the following courses with a C+ or higher:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours BIOS 1100 Basic Anatomy & Physiology 3.0 BIOS 2250 Human Anatomy/Physiology I 4.0 BIOS 2260 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4.0
- Current state EMT license or current National Registry EMT certification in good standing.
- Contact Program Director to discuss program requirements and complete an interview.
- Place a $500 deposit to reserve your seat (Accelerated Program only).
- Must speak and understand the English language in order to communicate effectively with Program faculty, patients, and staff at clinical and field sites.
State Licensure or Certification Requirements
States for which Mid-Plains Community College has determined that its curriculum MEETS the state educational requirements for licensure or certification includes:
- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
The Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic Program is acceptable in all states; however, other states may have additional requirements such as a Criminal Background Check, Drug Test, etc.
Due by First Day of Class
The following must be completed prior to beginning the program:
- Immunizations must be current (refer to "immunization requirements" link). Instructions for submitting immunization information will be provided in your post-acceptance welcome package.
- Current American Heart Association BLS CPR card.
- A comprehensive criminal background check. You are responsible for the cost of this investigation, completed by a vendor chosen by MPCC. Instructions will be provided in your post-acceptance welcome package.
- Based on the outcome of the background check, a student may be prevented form entering the program due to inability to place at clinical/field sites. Please note: Misdemeanor or felony convictions may prevent a graduate from acquiring National Registry certification and/or a State license. Please contact National Registry or your State Office of EMS with questions.
- Certificates of completion for NIMS 100 and NIMS 700 courses. National Incident Management System courses available through www.fema.gov
- Certificate of complete for Hazardous Materials Awareness or Hazardous Materials Operations training (OSHA compliant or NFPA standards).
Progression in Program
All Paramedic students must maintain a test and quiz average of 80% to be eligible to take the comprehensive final exam and participate in final skills testing. Students must score 80% or higher on the comprehensive course final and pass all skill stations in order to progress to clinical rotations.
Students must complete all hourly and performance requirements for both clinical and field practicums. Clinical requirements include 230 hours of hospital rotations and completion of a specified number of skills and assessments. 300 hours are required for field practicum with time divided between Field Experience and Capstone. A performance evaluation is completed at the end of every clinical and field shift. Students must maintain an 80% for successful completion of both clinical and field practicums. Summative testing is administered upon completion of the field practicum.
Program Objectives
- Students will learn and demonstrate the ability to provide care within the scope of practice as set forth by the national objectives and guidelines.
- Students will use effective communications skills appropriate to EMS.
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills.
- Students will be prepared to pass the National Registry Exam.
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities include hospital emergency rooms, private ambulance services, salaried fire and EMS departments, television and movie sets, offshore oil rigs, and private contracting overseas. Fire Departments are one of the major employers of paramedics. A degree is essential for advancement and financial compensation in most fire departments; some states now require an Associate's degree for employment.
Accreditation
The McCook Community College/Mid Plains Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 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
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
To contact the CoAEMSP:
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
Fax: 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org
Advanced Placement Policy: The McCook Community College/Mid Plains Community College Paramedic Program does not offer Advanced Placement.
Experiential Learning Policy: The McCook Community College/Mid Plains Community College Paramedic Program does not award credit or allow advanced placement for Experiential Learning.
Transfer Credits Policy: The McCook Community College/Mid Plains Community College Paramedic Program does not allow advanced placement secondary to transfer of credits.