Program Info
Program Description
Paramedics are highly trained members of the health-care community often responsible for bringing life-saving diagnostic and treatment skills to the patient at the scene of an emergency. Paramedics receive intense training in EKG interpretation, emergency pharmacology, and advanced life-support procedures. The scope of practice of the paramedic is rapidly expanding, creating a number of new employment opportunities.
The EMS Programs at HFC offer the options of certificates of achievement in Basic EMT and Paramedic, or the option of an Associate in Applied Science degree.
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 patient transport
- Effectively document the incident and patient information
- Perform post-incident management tasks
- Perform professionally within the paramedic field
Paramedics are in high demand. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, and acts of violence, will continue to create demand for EMTs and paramedics."
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 you are working.
Exposure to illness and infectious disease is an occupational risk for all health care workers. Persons 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. Persons 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 & Human Services, Bureau of Health Professions.
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 health care, 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/or requirements may be modified. Curriculum, course content, and admission 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 HFC's website.
The Paramedic Program has been awarded the highest level of approval through the Michigan Department of Health and human Services (MDHHS), EMS and Trauma Systems Section, 525 W. Ottawa St, Lansing, MI 48909. Phone: 517-241-4917.
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
Students planning to enter the Paramedic Certificate program, which includes the paramedic core, must apply through the EMS office in School of Health and Human Services. Required Core Course sequencing begins in the Fall semester. Early advising for course sequencing is highly recommended. Acceptance to the college is granted to most applicants and neither constitutes nor guarantees admission to the Paramedic program. 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 200-level EMS courses, students will need to satisfy the following prerequisites:
- EMT-Basic MI License.
- Completion of ENG-131 with a C of better OR Accuplacer Next Gen (240+) Reading score.
- Complete one of the following:
A "C" grade or better is required for successful completion of all courses (core and support) required in the Paramedic Certificate 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, forms are available in the Health and Human Services Office. This appraisal includes a physical, blood titers (to validate immunity to childhood immunizations), TB test, Hepatitis B and boosters if necessary. The cost for this appraisal is in addition to the basic tuition and fee schedule.
Students in the EMS program are expected to meet the same physical and mental requirements as emergency medical technicians. A representative job profile, also available in the Health and Human Services Office, lists the specific physical and mental requirements as well as the environmental conditions of the occupation.
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 clearance on the first test 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 individual is granted an expungement, then s/he would be considered for eligibility. Students with a history of alcohol related driving offenses and 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.
Health Insurance
Students must maintain proof of health insurance while in the program.
CPR
Students must maintain a valid American Heart Association (AHA), Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider card throughout the Program. May be fulfilled by taking *AH-105.
Uniforms Uniform shirts are provided through the program at the Basic EMT level. Pants, shoes, work belt, stethoscope, and National Registry exam fees are in addition to the basic tuition and fee schedule.
Job Placement Information about career placement and job success is available through either the Health Careers Office or HFC's Career Services Office.
Program Requirements
| Course name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| 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 |