Emergency Medical Technician — Paramedic (A.A.S.)

HEGIS: 5299

SUNY CODE: 1293

This unique A.A.S. degree program, a partnership between HCCC and Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, provides the paramedic student the education necessary to function in an out-of-hospital setting as an emergency medical services professional. Trauma from motor vehicle collisions and the like, as well as medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes, all demand professional pre-hospital emergency medical attention. Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) gives immediate and often life-saving emergency medical care to these patients while on-scene and during transport to medical facilities. Successful graduates will be eligible for New York State Certification as well as certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Paramedics have fulfilled prescribed requirements by a credentialing agency to practice the art and science of out-of-hospital medicine in conjunction with medical direction. Through performance of assessments and providing medical care, their goal is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury. Paramedics primarily provide care to emergency patients in an out-of-hospital setting.

Paramedics possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes consistent with the expectations of the public and the profession. Paramedics recognize that they are an essential component of the continuum of care and serve as linkages among health resources.

Paramedics strive to maintain high quality, reasonable cost health care by delivering patients directly to appropriate facilities. As an advocate for patients, paramedics seek to be proactive in affecting long-term health care by working in conjunction with other provider agencies, networks, and organizations. The emerging roles and responsibilities of the Paramedic include public education, health promotion, and participation in injury and illness prevention programs. As the scope of service continues to expand, the Paramedic will function as a facilitator of access to care, as well as an initial treatment provider.

Paramedics are responsible and accountable to medical direction, the public and their peers. Paramedics recognize the importance of research and actively participate in the design, development, evaluation and publication of research. Paramedics seek to take part in life-long professional development, peer evaluation and assume an active role in professional and community organizations.

The goals of this program are to:

• gain the knowledge required to become a competent and valuable member of the Emergency Medical Service team;
• gain the organizational skills required to become a competent and valuable member of the Emergency Medical Service team;
• gain the hands-on skills required to become a competent and valuable member of the Emergency Medical Service team; and
• gain the attitude required to become a competent and valuable member of the Emergency Medical Service team.

Successful graduates from this program will be able to:

• comprehend, apply, and evaluate the clinical information in the patient's presentation and determine the appropriate pre-hospital diagnosis;
• organize a plan of care consistent with national and regional standards of care;
• identify and perform the skills required for the presenting injury or illness consistent with national and regional standards of care; and
• display the kinds of professional behavior that is consistent with the expectations of employers and his or her peers.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can expect good paying jobs with ambulance services, fire, police or rescue squad departments. The ten-year projected NYS statewide demand for EMT/Paramedics is estimated to be 3,394 job openings.  The average wages in 2017 were estimated to be $41,100. 

(Source:  JobsEQ®, http:  //www.chmuraecon.com/jobseq)

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Program of Study

1st Year

1st Semester

EM 101	Emergency Medical Tech-Basic	6
EN 111	College Writing	3
FS 100	First Year Student Seminar	1
SC 118	Fund of Human Anatomy and Phys	3
SS 151	Intro Psychology	3
	Physical Education Activity	1
Total Credit Hours:		17

FS 100: First-Year Student Seminar waived for students entering from external Paramedic Program.

2nd Semester

EM 102	Report Writing/Healthcare Prof	3
EM 103	EMT-Basic Fieldwork	1
EN 228	Interpersonal Communication	3
SC 127	Pathophysiology for Paramedics	3
SS 161	Introductory Sociology	3
	OR
	Social Science Elective	3
	Mathematics Elective	3
	Physical Education Activity	1
Total Credit Hours:		17

Social Science Elective: SS 263 is recommended.

2nd Year

3rd Semester

EM 201	EMT - Paramedic I	9
EM 202	EMT - Paramedic II	6
Total Credit Hours:		15

4th Semester

EM 203	EMT - Paramedic III	9
EM 204	EMT - Paramedic IV	6
Total Credit Hours:		15

Students should consult with their academic advisor for appropriate course selections.

Total Credit Hours: 64

Selective Admission Requirements

Entry to the EMT Paramedic program as a matriculated student is by selective admission. Applicants must meet all the requirements listed in the HCCC catalog for admission as a matriculated student and the following requirements:

• Applicants must not be convicted of or currently charged with a crime or crimes pertaining to murder, manslaughter, assault, sexual abuse, theft, robbery, abuse or sale of drugs.
• Applicant (at his/her own expense) must satisfactorily complete a health evaluation and submit a Health Evaluation form completed by a NYS Licensed Physician. The form must include a record of required minimum immunizations and titres.
• Applicants must be physically fit as specified in the NYS Department of Health functional job description.
• Applicants must agree to abide by all policies of HCCC, Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center, the Paramedic Program and the NYS Department of Health.
• Applicants shall provide evidence to Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center that he/she is covered by an appropriate health insurance.
• All EMS students in a clinical area shall wear appropriate uniforms. The color and style of the uniform shall be designated by Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center. Students are responsible to purchase their own uniforms.

• Beginning in the fall of 2016, admission requirements, including high school GPA, letters of reference, and personal interviews, will take effect. Entry into the EMT/Paramedic program will become selective and students will be admitted on a competitive basis. 

For more information, contact the Business, Health, Science, and Technology Division at [phone] or toll free 1-844-GO-4-HERK, ext. 8230.