Program Description
This program fulfills the requirements set by state and national agencies for credentialing of the Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic. The program stresses mastery of advanced life support skills. Students will accomplish these objectives through didactic presentations, College laboratory time and clinical and field internships. The primary goal of the program is to prepare competent entry-level paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the AEMT, and/or EMT and/or EMR levels.
This certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs [9355 113th ST. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775-7709; (727) 210-2350, www.caahep.org] upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) [8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111- 312, Rowlett, TX 75088; (214) 703-8445, www.coaemsp.org.]
High school courses in biology, human anatomy and mathematics are strongly recommended for those planning to enter this program. Students must be currently certified New York state EMTs and maintain their certification throughout the program. Dutchess Community College BIO 115 (or its equivalent) and EMB 101 with a grade of “C” or better are required prerequisites. (Prerequisite courses are offered only in the fall semester).
The number of students in the program is limited on the basis of clinical facilities available. Upon completion of this program graduates are eligible to take the New York state and National Registry certifying Paramedic exams. Graduates of this program may also receive advanced standing in the Paramedic A.A.S. degree program.
Paramedic course semesters run consecutively: spring, summer and fall. Courses should be selected in consultation with the EMS Program Coordinator at (845) 431-8390.
A certificate is awarded upon completion of the requirements for this program.
NOTE: Students enrolled in a Certificate program must complete at least 50% of the program credits at DCC.* Students must earn an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to be awarded the certificate.
*Certain courses may be required to be taken at DCC; check your specific program for these exceptions.
A student MUST be a currently certified New York State Emergency Medical Technician – Basic before enrolling in the Paramedic Program. This certification must be kept current throughout their time in the program. Dutchess Community College BIO 115 (or its equivalent) and EMB 101 with a grade of “C” or better are required prerequisites. These prerequisites must be taken in the fall semester preceding the start of the Paramedic Program.
For requirements, see Program Map.
| Course Hours Per Week | Semester Hours | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester (Spring) | Class | Lab | Credit | |
| ENG-101 | COMPOSITION I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PAR-101 | ADVANCED AIRWAY MANAGEMENT | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| PAR-102 | PATHOPHYS & LIFE SPAN DEV | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PAR-106 | PHARMACOLOGY & IV THERAPY | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| PAR-108 | PARAMEDIC PREP AND OPERATIONS | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| PAR-120 | CLINICAL I | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 11 | 13 | 15 | |
| Second Semester (Summer) | Class | Lab | Credit | |
| PAR-201 | TRAUMA | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| PAR-203 | CARDIOLOGY AND PULMONOLOGY | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| PAR-205 | MEDICAL EMERGENCIES I | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| PAR-220 | CLINICAL II | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | 12 | 13 | |
| Third Semester (Fall) | Class | Lab | Credit | |
| PAR-206 | PATIENT ASSESSMENT | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| PAR-209 | MEDICAL EMERGENCIES II | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| PAR-230 | CLINICAL III | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| PAR-240 | SUMMATIVE EVALUATION | 0 | 16 | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | 28 | 12 | |
| Total Required Minimum Semester Hours Credit | 40 | |||
NOTE:
All PRR students are required to submit a completed physical exam form prior to clinical assignments. All immunizations indicated on the form must be current. When this form is on file the College Health Office will issue a waiver clearing the student for clinical assignments. Hepatitis B vaccine series is highly recommended and its completion or a signed waiver is required by the clinical facilities under the OSHA Standard on Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens.
All PRR students are required to have a background check and drug screen on file in order to be cleared for clinical rotations. This will be done as part of the enrollment in PAR120.
Students will be required to repeat courses that they have already taken or take proficiency and core competency exams if more than three years have passed from when they began the program and when they return. Students are responsible for all material previously learned as well as any updates that may have occurred in the curriculum during their absence.