Course Catalog

Paramedic Certificate

West Burlington Campus

Help others help themselves with this rewarding career.

There are three program tracks. This page is for the Paramedic Certificate. If you are interested in another EMS program, please click on the appropriate link below:
EMT Certificate
Paramedic AAS

The Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMT-P) curriculum is designed to prepare the student for the National Registry exam for certification as a Paramedic. Selected general courses are related to the field of Emergency Medical Services and will provide the student with a broad base upon which to make reasoned decisions when giving emergency care.

The EMT classes are offered in both night and day part-time format and the paramedic is offered as a full-time day format.

Students enrolling in the Paramedic program must have a high school diploma or equivalent, current EMT certification and ALEKS math score of at least 14.

Paramedic Certificate gainful employment information

West Burlington and Keokuk campuses with select courses available online.

The following courses must be taken at the West Burlington location: EMS-201, EMS-663, EMS-667, EMS-665. All other courses can be taken at the West Burlington campus, Keokuk campus or online.

*Health professions student outcomes are available on the Consumer Information page. A downloadable PDF is available for EMS student outcomes

Admission standards apply to this program. Students must must be at least eighteen years of age. All other eligibility requirements must be met.

EMS-201 is required, unless current EMT Certification is held. If nationally registered, must obtain State Certification prior to the start of EMS-663.

Emergency Medical Technician Certificate awarded after completion of EMS-201, which is offered in both fall and spring semesters.

Successful completion of EMT State Certification required prior to admission to the Paramedic Program.

Entry into EMS-663 requires a high school diploma or equivalent and EMT certificate.

Paramedic Certificate awarded after completion of EMS-665.

Accreditation Information

The Southeastern Community College Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

To contact CoAEMSP:
214-703-8445
www.coaemsp.org

Paramedic Program Outcomes

Summary Sheet

The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.

Curriculum Sequence


Fall OR Spring Semester Course Title Credit
EMS-201 Emergency Medical Technician 7
TOTAL CREDITS 7

Fall Semester Course Title Credit
EMS-663 Paramedic I 16.5
TOTAL CREDITS 16.5

Spring Semester Course Title Credit
EMS-667 Paramedic II 17
TOTAL CREDITS 17

Summer Semester Course Title Credit
EMS-665 Paramedic III 7
TOTAL CREDITS 7

EMS-201 - Emergency Medical Technician

Lecture: 5

Lab: 2

On Job Training: 4

Credit: 7

This course is designed to instruct a student to the level of emergency medical technician who serves as a vital link in the chain of the health care team. Southeastern Community College's training program follows the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Department of Transportation (DOT) EMT curriculum. This course includes all skills necessary for the individual to provide emergency medical care at a basic life support level with an ambulance service or other specialized service. Southeastern Community College is approved by the Iowa State Department of Public Health (Bureau of EMS). Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be eligible to take the National Registry's practical and written exam for EMT certification. Students must be 17 years old to enroll. Prerequisite: Current basic life support certification (health care providers module).

EMS-663 - Paramedic I

Lecture: 12

Lab: 8

Clinical: 1.5

Credit: 16.5

This course prepares the student in the knowledge and skills needed in the pre-hospital environment. National Standard Paramedic Curriculum topics covered include: Well-being of the EMT, Illness and Injury Prevention, Ethics, EMS System, Roles and Responsibilities, Medical Legal Issues, Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Communications, Life-span Development, Airway Management and Ventilation, Patient Assessment, Communications, Documentation, Medication Administration, Pharmacology and Cardiology. Lab skills addressed include patient assessment, development of airway management skills, IV fluid management skills, communication skill development and cardiac monitoring skills. Prerequisite: Current Iowa EMT Certificate.

EMS-667 - Paramedic II

Lecture: 10

Lab: 6

Clinical: 12

Credit: 17

This course prepares the student in the knowledge and skills needed in the pre-hospital environment. National Standard Paramedic curriculum topics covered include: Medication Administration and Medical and Trauma Emergencies of various body systems. This course has a hospital clinical internship. This internship provides the opportunity to apply, in the clinical setting, the didactic knowledge and skills developed in the classroom and lab. It serves to assist the student to become an employable EMS provider. Clinical skills addressed include trauma management, patient assessment and evaluation; airway management skills, IV fluid management skills, communication skill development and cardiac monitoring skills. Prerequisite: EMS-663.

EMS-665 - Paramedic III

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

On Job Training: 16

Credit: 7

This course prepares the student in the knowledge and skills needed in the pre-hospital environment. National Standard Paramedic Curriculum topics covered include: Review of previous course material, Pediatrics, Geriatric, Psychiatric Disorders and Patients with Special Challenges. This course also includes hospital clinical internship. This internship provides the opportunity to apply, in the clinical setting, the didactic knowledge and skills developed in the classroom and lab. It serves to assist the student to become an employable EMS provider. Clinical skills addressed include pediatric assessment and management, gynecological management, geriatric management, trauma management, patient assessment, airway management skills, IV fluid management skills, communication skill development and cardiac monitoring skills. Prerequisite: EMS-663.

James Steffen - Assistant Professor - Emergency Medical Services

Email: jsteffen@scciowa.edu
AAS, Southeastern Community College
BA, Bellevue University