Paramedic Certificate

Program Description

Code 128 - 44 Credits

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at Kellogg Community College prepares students to enter the field as an EMS worker in this high demand industry. Students completing the program work in a variety of fields; industrial, safety, ambulance, fire, and hospital. 

The EMS program includes a rigorous curriculum of the classroom, lab, simulation, and clinical education experiences at ambulance services, hospitals, and other health care facilities to prepare the students for success on the national certification exam administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) https://www.nremt.org/.

EMS workers respond to patients suddenly sick or injured in a variety of environments. EMS practitioners may be required to work around the clock. Work responsibilities include diagnosing, treating and transporting patients. There are unique physical demands to be met. For more information, consult the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm.

Accreditation through CAAHEP/CoAEMSP

KCC is fully accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This accreditation occurred as a result of the peer-review process at the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professionals (CoAEMSP). Verification of accreditation can be obtained at https://www.caahep.org/Students/Find-a-Program.aspx.This program is also approved by the State of Michigan Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma. www.michigan.gov/ems

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
Phone: (214) 703-8445
Fax: (214) 703-8992
www.coaemsp.org

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Rocco V. Morando Building
6610 Busch Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43229
Phone: (614) 888-4484
Fax: (614) 888-8920
www.nremt.org

Graduates of a CAAHEP accredited paramedic program:

1. are more mobile with nationwide reciprocity with their NREMT certification. NREMT certification is used for licensure in many states, including Michigan. (For more information see www.michigan.gov/ems)
2. receive an education that is at least on par with other allied health programs. Accreditation standards require that you receive a quality education. The consistency and quality is peer-reviewed which means that multiple individuals from outside the program have performed an in-depth assessment of the program and determined it meets the accreditation standards. The accreditation standards have been developed by member organizations to ensure that program standards achieve entry requirements for graduates to enter the profession.
3. are ready, upon graduation, to meet the minimum competencies required to practice as a paramedic.

Advanced Placement and Experiential Learning

The KCC EMS Program does not participate in advanced placement or experiential learning.

Admissions

Paramedic Certificate/Associate Degree Programs

The requirements for admission to the Paramedic certificate or associate degree programs are:

1. Application and acceptance to the College.
2. Current Basic EMT license.
3. Application to the Paramedic Program.
4. Next Gen ACCUPLACER^® placement testing and minimum proficiency scores of 250 in writing, 244 in reading, and 250 in quantitative reason.
5. Admission meeting with EMS Program director or designee.

Guaranteed Admission Policy for Paramedic Program

Students who apply to the Paramedic Program during the fall or spring semester in which they are completing their Basic EMT training at KCC are eligible for guaranteed admission. These students will have a place reserved in the fall Paramedic program based on the following conditions:

1. Successful completion of the MDCH BEMT licensure exam prior to the start of the Paramedic program.
2. Available positions within the Paramedic program (students will be admitted based on the order in which completed files are received).
3. Completion of the above admission requirements prior to the end of the first-year spring semester.
4. Admission priority will be given to students who successfully complete BIOL 105 or 202.

Clinical Education Access Requirements

Students formally accepted to participate in Allied Health, Emergency Medical Services, or Nursing programs are required to comply with clinical access requirements prior to, and potentially during clinical education placement in a hospital, outpatient clinic, or other clinical education providers. The Program’s Director or Coordinator will provide students with detailed direction and timeline for completing all clinical access requirements.

• Students are required to undergo a physical examination*, immunizations, a drug screen, and criminal background check.**
• Students are required to secure and maintain CPR certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) from American Heart Association or Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers from American Red Cross throughout their clinical education participation.
• Students are required to maintain professional liability insurance according to College policies as required by clinical education providers. The College ensures students are covered with professional liability insurance with the cost collected through lab fees.
• Students are required to adhere to the uniform and personal appearance standards according to program policies determined by clinical education providers.

* No student or patient is discriminated against due to a past or present history of infectious or bloodborne pathogen disease. Training in bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases will be given at the beginning of the program.

** It should also be noted that the State of Michigan requires a criminal background check prior to obtaining a health professional license (effective October 1, 2008). Students who have been convicted of a crime may have difficulty obtaining state licensure.

Clinical access requirements are determined by the College according to the policies of clinical education providers.

Clinical education providers reserve the right to impose additional requirements at any time to ensure the safety of patients, employees, and students.

Students participating in clinical education are not employees of a clinical education provider or of the College, and therefore are not covered by Workman’s Compensation insurance. It is highly recommended that students maintain personal health insurance while enrolled in an educational program.

Compliance and cost of clinical access requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Latex Environment Statement

Students participating in Allied Health, Emergency Medical Services, or Nursing courses are likely to have contact with latex throughout their educational experience. Due to the broad range of equipment, manikins, materials, and supplies used in the College’s practice and simulation laboratories, and within a vast number of hospitals and other clinical education facilities, students with latex allergies considering any of these programs should direct questions to their physician prior to applying to the program to ensure safe participation in a latex environment.

Positive Drug Screen Statement

Students with a positive drug screen will be deemed ineligible to participate in clinical education.  Furthermore, as clinical education is a critical requirement of nursing, allied health, and emergency medical services programs, the student will be dismissed from their current program of study.  For students who would like to be considered for re-admission, they should refer to their program’s policy of re-admission and direct questions to the program director.