Paramedic Program

Accredited Paramedic Program

Paramedic Job Requirements

The Paramedic’s scope of practice includes basic and advanced skills focused on the acute management and transportation of the broad range of patients who access the emergency medical system. This may occur at an emergency scene until transportation resources arrive, from an emergency scene to a health care facility, between health care facilities, or in other health care settings.

In some communities, Paramedics provide a large portion of the out-of-hospital care and represent the highest level of out-of-hospital care. In communities that use emergency medical dispatch systems, Paramedics may be part of a tiered response system. In all cases, Paramedics work alongside other EMS and health care professionals as an integral part of the emergency care team.  The Paramedic must be able to deal with adverse and often dangerous situations which include responding to calls in districts known to have high crime and mortality rates. Self-confidence is critical, as is a desire to work with people, solid emotional stability, a tolerance for high stress, and the ability to meet the physical, intellectual, and cognitive requirements demanded by this position.

The Paramedic’s scope of practice includes invasive and pharmacological interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with acute out-of-hospital medical and traumatic emergencies. Emergency care is based on an advanced assessment and the formulation of a field impression. The Paramedic provides care designed to minimize secondary injury and provide comfort to the patient and family while transporting the patient to an appropriate health care facility.

The Paramedic has knowledge, skills, and abilities developed by appropriate formal education and training. The Paramedic has the knowledge associated with, and is expected to be competent in, all of the skills of the EMR, EMT, and AEMT. The major difference between the Paramedic and the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician is the ability to perform a broader range of advanced skills. These skills carry a greater risk for the patient if improperly or inappropriately performed, are more difficult to attain and maintain competency in, and require significant background knowledge in basic and applied sciences.

The Paramedic is the minimum licensure level for patients requiring the full range of advanced out-of-hospital care. The scope of practice is limited to advanced skills that are effective and can be performed safely in an out-of-hospital setting with medical oversight. The Paramedic transports all emergency patients to an appropriate medical facility. The Paramedic serves as part of an EMS response system, ensuring a progressive increase in the level of assessment and care. The Paramedic may make destination decisions in collaboration with medical oversight. The principal disposition of the patient encounter will result in the direct delivery of the patient to an acute care facility.

Physical Demands

Aptitudes required for work of this nature are good physical stamina, endurance, and body condition that would not be adversely affected by frequently having to walk, stand, lift, carry, and balance at times, in excess of 125 pounds. Motor coordination is necessary because over uneven terrain, the patient’s, the Paramedic’s, and other workers’ well-being must not be jeopardized.  Different situations will require that the Paramedic be able to perform in the following manner:  stand, walk, sit, lift, carry, push, pull, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, feel, talk, hear and see.

Job Outlook*

Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, and acts of violence, will continue to create demand for EMTs and paramedics. Demand for part-time, volunteer EMTs and paramedics in rural areas and smaller metropolitan areas will also continue.

Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increase in age-related health emergencies, such as heart attacks and strokes. This increase, in turn, will create greater demand for EMT and paramedic services. An increase in the number of specialized medical facilities will require more EMTs and paramedics to transfer patients with specific conditions to these facilities for treatment.

*Cited from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, EMTs and Paramedics, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm

Programmatic Accreditation

The Respond Right EMS Academy / St. Charles Community College Consortium 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 

727-210-2350

www.caahep.org

To contact CoAEMSP:

214-703-8445

www.coaemsp.org

Respond Right EMS Academy has received Training Entity Accreditation through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

St. Charles Community College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, telephone: 800-621-7440; fax: 312-263-7462; website: www.ncacihe.org.

The North Central accreditation, along with transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities, assures the value of credits earned at SCC.

Courses taken for credit at SCC will be accepted in transfer by other colleges, provided they are appropriate to the degree sought.

Students will receive a Certificate of Completion through Respond Right EMS Academy upon completion of the Paramedic program.

Admission Policies

The EMS courses at Respond Right EMS Academy have additional admission requirements due to the physical demands and nature of the job requirements.  Every student is encouraged to apply, however they are encouraged to review the job requirements and physical demands before applying.  Not all applicants will be accepted into the program based on meeting the admission requirements.

 The additional admission requirements include:

• Entrance exam
• Prerequisite courses
• Criminal background checks
• AHA BLS CPR
• Physical exams and release from physician
• Minimum age
• U.S. Citizen
• Drug test

Respond Right EMS Academy offers equal access and opportunities in employment, admissions and educational services.  RREMSA will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy, age, marital status, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation or disability status in its employment practices or in the admission and treatment of students.  Complete policies on Americans with Disabilities, discrimination and harassment can be found in the Program Manual.  If you have a question or concern, please contact Donna Weiss at 636-387-6200.

These admission requirements may change and students are encouraged to consult with administration when they apply to confirm the current requirements.

Advanced Placement / Prior Learning Experience 

Paramedic students who have partially completed a CoAEMSP accredited program may receive credit if the following are met:

Required prerequisites:

• All entry health requirements, background checks and drug screening
• MO EMT License
• Current AHA BLS CPR
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Official transcripts and a letter from the Program Director of the initial institution must be sent to the administrative office, Attn: Program Director, Toni Milan.  The letter must document that the student is in good standing and has met all required didactic and lab hours for the courses which credit is sought.
• Written examination testing in all courses for which transfer credit is sought. The decision score is 75%.  Each exam can be taken one time.
• Skills demonstration equivalent to the skills taught in the course for which transfer credit is sought. A list of skills is available with the associated NREMT Portfolio paperwork.  Students will be allowed to re-test skills one time.

Students are required to pay all academic fees associated with transfer credit evaluation or exemption examination.

Advanced Placement does not provide advanced placement based on other healthcare provider licensures.  Advanced placement only applies to the Paramedic level.

The deadline to apply for advanced placement is EMS 303.

Students will be evaluated and placed in the program at the Program Director and Medical Directors’ discretion.

Transfer of Credits

Transfer students are those who wish to transfer to Respond Right EMS Academy from another CoAEMSP Accredited Institution.  Students applying should be in good standing without academic or behavior related issues. Credit for EMS courses will only be granted if attended at a CoAEMSP accredited institution.

Transfer students will be required to attend orientation as directed and any other required clinical training dates.

Students who have a Missouri, and/or NREMT EMT License may receive credit for RREMSA’s EMT course work.

Experiential Learning

Students with medical training, including nursing, military medical training, etc. are not be given advanced placement in the EMS Program.

Occupational Risks

Provision of emergency medical services poses inherent occupational risks for EMS responders. Risks include the following:

• Violence/assaults
• Verbal threats/aggression
• Motor vehicle crashes
• Infectious disease
• Lifting injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Psychological trauma
• Hazardous chemical exposure
• Hyper/hypothermia