Paramedicine Day Program Courses and Requirements →
Paramedicine Evening Program Courses and Requirements →
Who are Paramedics?
The Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response under medical oversight. Paramedics perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Paramedic is a link from the scene to the health care system.
The Paramedicine Certificate prepares students for careers in Emergency Medical Services as Paramedics in the fire service, private agencies, hospitals, and other settings in private and public service areas upon completion of coursework and national certification exams for EMTs. The curriculum combines didactic, laboratory, and clinical and prehospital field rotations to provide students with the skills required to prepare for certification and practice.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics will grow 11% between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all U.S. occupations (www.bls.gov). A growing aging population is expected to increase the likelihood of medical emergencies, thus increasing the need for EMTs and paramedics. Plus, emergency rooms are frequently overcrowded, increasing the time that EMTs and paramedics must spend with each patient. This is also likely to increase the number of job positions. In addition, job prospects are expected to be good since paid employees are needed to replace volunteers with a high turnover rate.
Minimum Expectations Goal Statement
To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.
Paramedicine Program Outcomes
- To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
- Pass the National Registry Certification examination and obtain state licensure as a Paramedic.
- Safely manage the scene of an emergency.
- Establish and maintain a patent airway, oxygenation, and ventilation of a patient
- Perform a comprehensive history and physical assessment, formulate a field impression, and implement a treatment plan for patients with multiple, complex trauma and medical emergencies in a variety of settings.
- Appropriately and safely administer emergency medications necessary to fulfill the role of a Paramedic as defined in the National EMS Scope of Practice Model
Student Learning Outcomes
Paramedicine Certificate
The Paramedicine program prepares students to become members of the health care team and function as paramedics in various settings. This program provides students with in-depth knowledge of the concepts and skills requisite to caring for patients with acute and critical illnesses. The curriculum combines didactic, laboratory, and clinical experience and a field internship to provide students with the necessary skills to prepare for certification and practice. Graduates are prepared to take the National Registry Certification examination and state licensure as a paramedic.
Successful graduates of the program will be able to:
- Apply and evaluate their knowledge and skills relative to the role of an entry-level EMS Professional;
- Safely manage the scene of an emergency;
- Establish and maintain a patient airway, oxygenation, and ventilation of a patient;
- Perform a comprehensive history and physical assessment, formulate a field impression, and implement a treatment plan for patients with multiple, complex trauma and medical emergencies in a variety of settings;
- Appropriately and safely administer emergency medications necessary to fulfill the role of an entry-level EMS Professional as defined in the National EMS Scope of Practice Model;
- Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the professional expectations of an entry-level EMS Professional.
Admissions
Applicants seeking admission to health profession programs will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students seeking admission will be evaluated by GPA and the number of college-level credits completed at MassBay.
Priority for admission is given to current MassBay students. Applicants must also meet all other required course prerequisites for the program. Minimum eligibility for admission to this program includes the following:
- HS Diploma or GED
- MassBay Placement into Freshman English I (EN 101) or completion of Fundamentals of Composition II (EN 098) with a grade of C or higher.
- MassBay Placement into Intermediate Algebra (MA 098) or completion of Introduction of Algebra (MA 95) with a grade of C or higher.
- Successful completion of Reading Assessment Test. Refer to the Competitive Programs Admissions Requirements.
- Current Nationally Registered and/or state-certified EMT required prior to enrolling in Paramedicine courses. Students who enter with NREMT EMT Certification only must obtain MA EMT certification before enrolling in PM 210.
- Current CPR certification (AHA BLS, ARC Professional Rescuer, Military Training Network).
Background Check
- CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sexual Offender Registry Information) background checks are required before clinical placement and will be conducted per state regulations. CORI and SORI results are confidential.
- Students must have a valid, unrestricted driver’s license in order to seek employment in the field.
- Students who do not submit the required Division of Health Sciences (DHS) health forms or other required information will have a health hold placed on their records preventing course registration. Forms/information must be submitted to the DHS compliance coordinator. Refer to DHS Student Handbook for additional information.
Curriculum, Courses and Course Descriptions →
Licensure
Once students successfully complete both parts of the NREMT initial examination, they may apply to the MA Office of Emergency Medical Services for licensure at the appropriate level. The initial fee for Licensure is $150, payable to MA OEMS upon completion of the NREMT exam. Licensure applications and fees are described on the MA OEMS website at www.mass.gov/dph/oems. EMS licenses are valid for two years and must be recertified biannually upon completion of mandatory continuing education and current NREMT certification.