Paramedic - Advanced Life Support, Associate in Applied Science (EMTP)
Department website: https://www.dccc.edu/academics/academic-divisions/allied-health-emergency-services-nursing/emt-paramedic-program
Effective: Fall 2023
The Associate in Applied Science Degree: Paramedic - Advanced Life Support program is designed for individuals who are seeking careers as paramedics. Paramedic careers include 9-1-1 emergency response, inter-facility and critical care transport via ground and aero-medical vehicles. The primary focus of the program is to provide the education, skills and clinical experiences to best prepare the entry level paramedic. The National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards: Paramedic Instructional Guidelines were used in developing the competencies and course content for the Paramedic - Advanced Life Support degree program.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
An Associate of Applied Science will be awarded upon completion of the Paramedic-Advanced Life Support curriculum with a 2.0 GPA and a “C” or better in all Emergency Medical Services (EMTP and EMS) courses, Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 150), and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 151). Students in this degree program must maintain a “C” or better in all EMTP courses and BIO 150 and BIO 151 to remain in the program and must progress through the curriculum in sequence. Students who do not maintain a “C” or better in BIO 150 and BIO 151 and all EMTP courses, in accordance with the program retest policy, will be dismissed from the program and must reapply to the program in a subsequent year.
Students will be allowed a total of one (1) retest for each written or practical final exam. A student is permitted to retest a total of three (3) retests of written or practical final examinations throughout the entire paramedic program. Failure to pass a 4th retest examination (written or practical) will result in dismissal from the Paramedic Program. Students will be allowed one (1) retest for the Program Summative Exam. There will be no opportunity to retest a quiz, group assignment, clinical assignment or research paper.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Students are required to submit the following documentation to the Director of Emergency Services Education by the fourth week of the first spring semester of the program:
- Submit clear Criminal Background checks. Students living in Pennsylvania are required to submit a PA State Police background check as well as a FBI background check with fingerprints. Students living outside Pennsylvania are required to submit a PA State Police background check, a FBI background check with fingerprints and a criminal background check from their state of residence. If a student has a prior criminal history, he/she will be required to petition to the PA Bureau of EMS and be approved for admissions prior to acceptance into the Paramedic program. Students with a prior criminal history are encouraged to contact their Regional EMS office to determine their eligibility for state certification as a paramedic.
- Submit a clear Child Abuse background check.
- Successfully complete a physical examination, including drug testing.
- Submit verification of current medical health insurance, which must be maintained throughout the program.
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be currently certified as a Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician or have a reciprocity application in process for PA EMT certification. This certification must be maintained throughout the program.
- Be currently certified as a CPR provider by one of the third-party accreditation bodies approved by the PA Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. This certification must be maintained throughout the program.
NATIONAL REGISTRY EXAM
Upon successful completion of the 40 credits of EMTP and EMS core classes and 7 credits of BIO 150 and BIO 151, with a “C” or better, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry exam to become certified as a Paramedic. This national certification exam consists of twelve psychomotor (skills) stations as well as a computer-based cognitive exam. Completion of the A.A.S. degree does not guarantee the student a National Registry certification as a paramedic.
DISMISSAL
Students may be dismissed from the program for violation of patient safety, confidentiality or behavior incompatible with acceptable standards pending outcome of the appeal process.
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. If a student is absent for more than 24 hours in the ENTIRE program they will be dismissed from the program. Students wishing to re-enter the program must re-apply.
Students who are accepted into the Paramedic – Advanced Life Support program are required to immediately divulge any misdemeanor or felony convictions that may occur while in the program to the Director of Emergency Services Education. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program in accordance with the Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services policies. In addition, upon review by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, the student may be dismissed from the program and denied paramedic certification.
PRIOR LEARNING
Students who are currently certified Paramedics wishing to obtain the Paramedic – Advanced Life Support A.A.S. degree may be awarded 36 credits for prior learning by DCCC upon evaluation of current documentation as required by the Assessment Center. Students who are awarded the credit for prior learning will be required to take two three-credit Emergency Management and Planning (EMER) courses in lieu of EMS 100.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
An Associate of Applied Science will be awarded upon completion of the Paramedic-Advanced Life Support curriculum with a 2.0 GPA and a “C” or better in all Emergency Medical Services (EMTP and EMS) courses, BIO 150 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIO 151 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and NUS 102 Nursing Mathematics: Dosage Calculation and Drug Preparation. Students in this degree program must maintain a “C” or better in all EMTP courses and BIO 150 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 151 Human Anatomy and Physiology II to remain in the program and must progress through the curriculum in sequence. Students who do not maintain a “C” or better in BIO 150 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 151 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and all EMTP courses, in accordance with the program retest policy, will be dismissed from the program and must reapply to the program in a subsequent year.
Students will be allowed a total of one (1) retest for each written or practical final exam. A student is permitted to retest a total of three (3) retests of written or practical final examinations throughout the entire paramedic program. Failure to pass a 4th retest examination (written or practical) will result in dismissal from the Paramedic Program. Students will be allowed one (1) retest for the Program Summative Exam. There will be no opportunity to retest a quiz, group assignment, clinical assignment or research paper.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Students are required to submit the following documentation to the Director of Emergency Services Education by the fourth week of the first spring semester of the program:
- Submit clear Criminal Background checks. Students living in Pennsylvania are required to submit a PA State Police background check as well as a FBI background check. Students living outside Pennsylvania are required to submit a PA State Police background check, a FBI background check and a criminal background check from their state of residence. If student has a prior criminal history, he/she will be required to petition to the PA Bureau of EMS and be approved for admissions prior to acceptance into the Paramedic program. Students with a prior criminal history are encouraged to contact their Regional EMS office to determine their eligibility for state certification as a paramedic.
- Submit a clear Child Abuse background check.
- Successfully complete a physical examination, including drug testing.
- Submit verification of current medical health insurance, which must be maintained throughout the program.
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be currently certified as a Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician or have a reciprocity application in process for PA EMT certification. This certification must be maintained throughout the program.
- Be currently certified as a CPR provider by one of the third-party accreditation bodies approved by the PA Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. This certification must be maintained throughout the program.
NATIONAL REGISTRY EXAM
Upon successful completion of the 40 credits of EMTP and EMS core classes and 8 credits of BIO 150 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIO 151 Human Anatomy and Physiology II and NUS 102 Nursing Mathematics: Dosage Calculation and Drug Preparation, with a “C” or better, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry exam to become certified as a Paramedic. This national certification exam consists of twelve psychomotor (skills) stations as well as a computer-based cognitive exam. Completion of the A.A.S. degree does not guarantee the student a National Registry certification as a paramedic.
DISMISSAL
Students may be dismissed from the program for violation of patient safety, confidentiality or behavior incompatible with acceptable standards pending outcome of the appeal process.
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. If a student is absent for more than 24 hours in the entire program they will be dismissed from the program. Students wishing to re-enter the program must re-apply.
Students who are accepted into the Paramedic – Advanced Life Support program are required to immediately divulge any misdemeanor or felony convictions that may occur while in the program to the Director of Emergency Services Education. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program in accordance with the Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services policies. In addition, upon review by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, the student may be dismissed from the program and denied paramedic certification.
PRIOR LEARNING
Students who are currently certified Paramedics wishing to obtain the Paramedic – Advanced Life Support A.A.S. degree may be awarded 36 credits for prior learning by DCCC upon evaluation of current documentation as required by the Assessment Center. Students who are awarded the credit for prior learning will be required to take two three-credit Emergency Management and Planning (EMER) courses in lieu of EMS 100.
This program requires a special process for admission. Check with Admissions to submit additional materials and/or follow procedures for admission.
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate communication skills.
- Record documentation accurately.
- Perform pharmacology mathematical skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply and evaluate clinical information.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of a paramedic.
- Demonstrate proficiency in EKG interpretation, medication administration, intubation procedures and intravenous initiation.
- Demonstrate entry level competencies in all clinical situations.
- Discuss and demonstrate the ability to differentiate the severity of illness.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| EMS 100 | Emergency Medical Technician | 9 |
| ENG 100 | English Composition I | 3 |
| BIO 150 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 151 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| COMM 100 or COMM 111 | Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking | 3 |
| Any Diversity and Social Justice and Global Understanding designated Humanities or Social Science course DJ/GU | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: QR | 3-4 | |
| Modern College Mathematics | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics | ||
Or any Quantitative Reasoning designated Mathematics course | ||
| Hours | 13-14 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| EMTP 100 | Introduction and Patient Assessment 1 | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| EMTP 101 | Pharmacology and Airway Management 2 | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| EMTP 102 | Trauma Assessment and Management | 5 |
| EMTP 103 | Cardiology | 4 |
| EMTP 104 | Medical Assessment and Management | 3 |
| EMTP 105 | Clinical Rotations I | 2 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| EMTP 200 | Summative Field Clinical | 8 |
| EMTP 201 | Operations and Special Patient Populations | 4 |
| EMTP 205 | Clinical Rotations II | 2 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 69-70 | |
Notes
The Delaware County Community College Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) 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 Highway 19 N., Suite 158 Clearwater, FL 33763 727-210-2350 www.caahep.org To contact CoAEMSP: 8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312 Rowlett, TX 75088 214-703-8445 FAX 214-703-8992 www.coaemsp.org.
Student Outcomes:
According to CAAHEP accreditation guidelines for paramedic programs, the three-year average of outcomes must be posted.
Class of 2016 as follows: National Registry Written average: 75 percent, practical examinations: 78 percent, retention: 83.3 percent, positive placement at the completion of testing is now 100 percent.
Class of 2017 as follows: National Registry Written average: 75 percent, practical examinations: 100 percent, retention: 66.7 percent due to two students being dismissed for academic dishonesty; positive placement at the completion of testing is now 100 percent.
Class of 2018: National Registry written Pass Rate is 90.9%; retention rate is 76.5%; positive placement rate is 76.9% due to 2 students choosing to not pursue paramedic as a career after graduation and 1 student not successfully completing testing as of the time of the submission of the annual report. All CoAEMSP thresholds have been exceeded.
Career Information for this Program
Paramedic - Advanced Life Support (Associate in Applied Arts)
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