Paramedic Career Studies Certificate

CIP Code: 51.0904
Length: 2 Semesters
G3 Tuition Assistance

Purpose

The Paramedic Career Studies Certificate is designed to prepare students as beginning practitioners for autonomous decision-making around the emergency care of patients. Upon completion of Paramedic CSC, the student is eligible for National Registry testing for Paramedic.  

Students who do not have AEMT certification will be able to test for the AEMT certification in this curriculum after the first semester and all requirements for AEMT have been met. Students who have completed the first semester in the AEMT Career Studies Certificate, or have an AEMT certification will advance to the second semester of this Paramedic program.  

Program Goals 

To prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.  

Admission Requirements 

Prior to beginning program courses, applicants must:

• meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by the Virginia Office of EMS to include a high school diploma or GED and aged 18 by the first day of class;
• meet the college’s general admission requirements and enroll as an RCC college student;
• complete all developmental coursework;
• meet with the program head;
• complete the program application;
• certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); and,
• maintain CPR certification throughout the program.

Program Requirements

Physical Requirements

An EMS provider is faced with many physical and psychological challenges. Please refer to the Office of Emergency Medical Services website for a more detailed functional job description.

Academic Requirements

Students must make a “C” or better in all program core courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain in the program. Any student receiving a grade less than “C” in a curricular course will be placed on academic probation for the program. The course may be repeated once, with a written contract containing the requirements of the remediation. Repeated courses must be completed with a final grade of “C” or better. Dismissal from the program may result if the student does not fulfill the contract requirements and is not successful in any course with a grade of “C” or better. 

Clinical and Behavioral Requirements and supervised student experiences are required by the program and will be accomplished at selected regional healthcare facilities. Students are responsible for transportation to these facilities, as well as for any scheduled field trips. Program preceptors will observe and evaluate student suitability for the profession across all domains of learning. If students do not exhibit the documented behaviors required of the EMS professional, they may be asked to withdraw from the program. All EMS students must comply with healthcare agency requirements for criminal background checks, drug testing, CPR certification, and immunizations. 

Other Requirements 

Applicants accepted to the program are required to submit a health certificate signed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or Licensed Nurse Practitioner attesting to the applicant’s general health and ability to perform the program’s activities. 
Students who are required to perform clinical rotations in cooperating healthcare agencies must be willing and able to conform to all clinical requirements of participating clinical agencies, including but not limited to: criminal background investigation; drug screening; immunizations including seasonal influenza vaccines; Tuberculosis screening; employment verifications; and successful completion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. (CPR certification must be the American Heart Association Certification for Healthcare Providers). Students are responsible for all costs associated with these requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain current records throughout the program. RCC uses a third-party vendor for all screenings and the maintenance of documents. Your instructor will provide you with all the details to purchase this service, including deadlines for completion. 
The purchase of items such as uniforms, medical liability insurance, and other accessories is the financial responsibility of the individual student. 

Curriculum 

NOTE: Students must submit current EMT certification prior to entering the Paramedic curriculum.  CPR certification must be maintained throughout the program.  
Advanced Standing credit is available for students who have current certification at the Advanced-EMT level.