Program Info
Program Description
Offers a career pathway for individuals seeking an entry-level position with a full-time municipal fire service. Course work provides a combination of academic education with necessary hands-on skills. Degree recipients earn an Associate in Applied Science, an EMT-Basic license, paramedic certification, Firefighter I & II certification, and valuable field/clinical experience.
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Maintain equipment and facilities.
- Respond appropriately to calls.
- Demonstrate scene control.
- Conduct a proficient primary and secondary patient assessment.
- Identify and manage patient illness and/or injury.
- Determine when to provide pt. transport.
- Effectively document the incident and patient information.
- Perform post-incident management tasks.
- Perform professionally within the firefighter/paramedic field.
- Provide proof of successful testing for Fire Ground Training.
Employment opportunities range from municipal fire services to field and hospital-based emergency care positions. Firefighting positions are highly competitive which is why all students should complete the Associate in Applied Science as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Students who successfully complete the full program can transfer to Siena Heights University, without loss of credit, in order to complete a bachelor degree (inverted major with Bachelor of Applied Science). This positions our graduates well above many entry-level applicants for coveted firefighter positions.
There is a great need for paramedic providers. The job outlook is promising and continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Handbook 2015, Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Competition for jobs will likely be strong. Physically fit applicants with high test scores and paramedic training will have the best job prospects."
In emergency medical services, both in school and on the job, exposure to infectious diseases and latex may be minimal to moderate depending on the setting in which students are working. Exposure to illness and infectious disease is an occupational risk for all health care workers.
People should not become health care workers unless they recognize and accept this risk. Proper education and strict adherence to well established infection-control guidelines can reduce the risk to a minimum. People who have latex sensitivity or allergies should consult with a physician prior to entering the program for guidance on the merits of continuing in a health care career.
If an individual is a convicted felon, it could disqualify him/her from obtaining the necessary National Registry Certification. Visit the National Registry EMS Policy for details. After obtaining a National Registry Certificate, individuals can apply for a Michigan EMS License, which is necessary to practice EMS as a profession. If an individual is a convicted felon, questions regarding potential licensure should be directed to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, EMS & Trauma Division.
Once a student is admitted/enrolled into the paramedic portion of the EMS degree, that student must complete with that same group of students. If for any reason a student must stop attending after successfully completing any portion thereof, and wishes to complete, the student must reapply through the EMS office for the desired year of return. Because of the rapid changes in healthcare, legislation and resulting course content, successfully completed EMS classes must be repeated in order to assure competence. This applies to all second year students who start, stop, and then return for completion. Early advising through the EMS office is essential.
The College continuously attempts to improve each program and as a result, courses and requirements may be modified. Curriculum, course content, and program criteria are subject to change by action of the College faculty and administration. Contact the Health Careers Office at (313) 845-9877 for any current program updates, or visit www.hfcc.edu.
Henry Ford College is an approved EMS Program Sponsor through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, EMS & Trauma Division.
The Henry Ford College Paramedic program has been awarded the highest level of approval through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, EMS & Trauma Division.
The Paramedic Program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs CAAHEP upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs
9355-113th St N. #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
Outcomes Graduation Rate (Retention): Percentage of students who began and successfully completed the Paramedic Program.
- 2018: 90.9%
- 2017: 75.0%
- 2016: 78.0%
Employment (Positive Placement): Percentage of graduates who sought employment and were employed as a Paramedic within one year of graduation.
- 2018: 100%
- 2017: 100%
- 2016: 100%
National Certification Pass Rate: Percentage of candidates who took and passed the NREMT Paramedic cognitive exam. (Overall % for each year is updated annually.)
- 2018: 100% overall, 90% first attempt
- 2017: 66.7% overall, 50% first attempt
- 2016: 100% overall, 75% first attempt
Admission Requirements
The first year of studies for the Emergency Medical Service degree is open enrollment as long as the student is eligible for placement in ENG-131.
All first year EMS courses must be taken concurrently and passed concurrently with a C or better. Students wishing to enter the second year of studies, which includes the paramedic core, must apply through the EMS office in Health Careers. This level of studies begins every FALL semester. Acceptance to the College is granted to most applicants and does not constitute nor guarantee admission to the paramedic core studies. Early advising for course sequencing is highly recommended. Students are accepted into the program based on a “first-qualified, first-accepted” basis. All potential placements must be registered on the wait list in the EMS office.
For EMS 200-level courses, students will need to satisfy the following prerequisites:
- EMT-Basic MI License
- Eligible for placement into MATH 110.
- Eligible for placement into ENG 131.
- Complete one of the following.
BIO-134 with a C or better OR
BIO-233 and BIO-234 both with a C or better.
A grade of C or better is required for successful completion of all courses (core and support) listed in the EMS program. Students not receiving a C or better cannot continue in the program until they have successfully repeated the course(s) earning a C or better. Students who do not successfully complete all co-requisite courses in the EMS Program cannot continue with that same class of students. Therefore, students who fail must repeat all coursework (200+ and up) from the beginning up to the point that they failed, and then progress in sequence with the new class of paramedic students. Students who need to repeat paramedic must request to be put on the waiting list for the following year. Re-admittance is subject to seat capacity and prior performance.
| Course name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
Biology: Complete BIO-134 or BIO-233 and BIO-234. |
5.00 |
Health Appraisal
Each student is required to complete a Health Appraisal Form, copies of which are available in the Health Careers Office. This appraisal includes a physical, blood titers (to validate immunity to childhood immunizations), TB test, Hepatitis B and boosters if necessary. Actual lab results from the titers need to be submitted with the appraisal to the program. The cost for this appraisal is in addition to the basic tuition and fee schedule.
Students in the EMS program must meet the same physical and mental requirements as emergency medical technicians. A representative job profile, also available in the Health Careers Office, lists the specific physical and mental requirements as well as the environmental conditions of the occupation.
Students must have basic health insurance coverage during clinical courses.
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen
Consistent with Section 20173 of the Michigan Public Health Code and the requirements of our clinical affiliates, a Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen* is required for all students in EMS programs prior to beginning clinical assignments. The cost for this test is in addition to the basic tuition and fee schedule.
Students with felony convictions on their record should not enroll into the program as we have a zero-tolerance stance from our clinical affiliates. If such individuals are granted an expungement, then they would be considered for eligibility. Students with a history of alcohol related driving offenses or felony convictions will find it difficult if not impossible to gain employment in public safety careers.
Students who are not cleared for clinical through the Health Appraisal, Criminal Background Check, and Drug Screen will not be able to complete the EMS education programs.
Uniforms and Other Fees
Uniform shirts are provided through the program at the Basic EMT level. Pants, shoes, work belt, stethoscope and National Registry exam , and licensing fees are in addition to the basic tuition and fee schedule.
CPR
Students must maintain a valid American Heart Association (AHA), Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider card throughout the Clinical Externships. May be fulfilled by taking AH-105
Job Placement
Information about career placement and job success is available through either the Health Careers Office or the College’s Job Placement Office.
Program Requirements
| Course name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| EMS-100: EMT-Basic Fundamentals | 9.00 |
| EMS-107: Basic Procedures Lab | 1.50 |
| EMS-109: EMT-Basic Clinical Externship | 2.00 |
| EMS-200: Paramedic I | 3.00 |
| EMS-206: Paramedic Procedures Lab I | 1.50 |
| EMS-210: Paramedic II | 3.00 |
| EMS-216: Paramedic Procedures Lab II | 2.00 |
| EMS-220: Paramedic III | 4.00 |
| EMS-226: Paramedic Procedures Lab III | 1.00 |
| EMS-230: Paramedic IV | 4.00 |
| EMS-240: Paramedic V | 3.00 |
| EMS-291: Paramedic Clinical I | 3.00 |
| EMS-292: Paramedic Clinical II | 3.00 |
| EMS-293: Paramedic Clinical III | 5.00 |
Firefighter/Paramedic Certification: Complete Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification |
9.00 |
NOTE: A minimum of 'C' grade is required in all Required Core Courses.
The 54 minimum credit hours includes the 9 credit hours for the Firefighter I and Firefighter II certificates that are available at HFC from the training academy. To receive this credit on your transcript see the EMS program director after you have completed your first semester of paramedic studies (200-level or higher EMS course work).
| Course name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ENG-131: Introduction to College Writing | 3.00 |
English Composition or Communication: Complete one |
3.00 |
Computer Technology: Complete one |
3.00 |
Category 4: Social Sciences: Complete any one. See General Education Requirements for details. |
3.00 |