Paramedic Program
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and EMT-paramedics are trained to provide medical care to people who have suffered from an illness or an injury outside of the hospital setting. EMTs and paramedics work under protocols approved by a physician medical director to recognize, assess, and manage medical emergencies and transport patients to definitive medical care. EMTs provide basic life support, and EMT-paramedics provide advanced life support. Call
According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 23 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Paramedic, Certificate of Proficiency
The Paramedic, Certificate of Proficiency 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 prepare the entry level paramedic for employment. The National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards: Paramedic Instructional Guidelines were used in developing the competencies and course content.
Upon successful completion of the 40 credits of EMTP courses 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 certificate of proficiency does not guarantee the student a National Registry certification as a paramedic.
Paramedic - Advanced Life Support, A.A.S.
EMT-paramedics perform all of the skills performed by an EMT. In addition, they perform advanced airway management, such as endotracheal intubation. They obtain electrocardiographs (ECGs), introduce intravenous lines, and administer numerous emergency medications. EMT-paramedics assess ECG tracings and defibrillate. They have extensive training in patient assessment and are exposed to a variety of clinical experiences during training. In addition, the students will take the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) programs.
The Paramedic – Advanced Life Support , A.A.S. degree program is offered as a part-time program designed for the student who also works. The program begins in the fall semester and runs for 6 consecutive semesters. At this time, clinical experience rotations are done at Crozer Chester Medical Center, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, UPENN at Chester County Hospital, Taylor Hospital and Springfield Hospital. Field rotations are presently completed with Crozer Chester Medical Center, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, UPENN at Chester County Hospital, Taylor Hospital and Springfield Hospital, Marple Township Ambulance Corps, Plymouth Township Ambulance and Riddle Memorial Hospital (Mainline Health).
Upon successful completion of this program, the student is eligible to take the National Registry Exam to become a certified EMT-Paramedic.
Prequisites
In addition to the college course requirements and prerequisites, the student must also meet the following prerequisites for the Paramedic program:
- Maintain current certification as an EMT in Pennsylvania or National Registry certification
- Maintain current CPR for Healthcare Provider certification
- Be age 18 or older
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Pass a criminal background check in your state of residence, a PA State Police criminal background check and an FBI background check
- Obtain a Child Abuse Clearance from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Have current health insurance
Paramedic Program Clinical & Field Reference Manual
According to CAAHEP accreditation guidelines for paramedic programs, the three-year average of outcomes must be posted.
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.
Class of 2019: National Registry written Pass Rate is 94.7%; retention rate is 65.5% (changes to pre-requisites have been submitted to curriculum review committee to increase the retention rate for future classes); Positive placement rate is 94.7% (1 student is still in the testing process as of the time of submission of the annual report.
Class of 2020: National Registry written Pass Rate is 80%; retention rate is 58.8% (changes to pre-requisites have been submitted to curriculum review committee to increase the retention rate for future classes, process delayed due to pandemic; some students did not do well with the online modality that was required as a result of Covid-19 protocols); Positive placement rate is 100%.
Class of 2021: National Registry Written average: 94.1 percent, retention: 81.8 percent; positive placement at the completion of testing 88.9 percent. One student opted not to take the NREMT exam upon completion of the cohort.
Class of 2022: National Registry Written Pass rate average: 75 percent, Retention Rate: 89.9 percent; Positive Placement at the completion of testing: 100 percent.
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
