Emergency Medical Technician: Paramedic Certificate

The Paramedic Certificate Program is designed for students to acquire knowledge and skills in order to provide pre-hospital emergency medical care to those individuals needing advanced life support (ALS). Graduates of the program are skilled in advanced life support necessary to meet the needs of those agencies or institutions providing emergency medical services to the community.

Graduates will have the opportunity to take advantage of the educational career ladder option in higher education. Classroom, simulated laboratory and clinical experiences in the Paramedic program include content and practice skills related to the emergency medical care of pre-hospital patients.

Included in the curriculum are certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS). Upon successful completion the graduate will be qualified to take the National Registry Exam for state license. Additional fees are required for exam and state licensure.

Admitted students must submit documentation of physical examination and required immunizations.

In order to be admitted into the program, applicants must submit:

1. Documentation of graduation from an approved high school or acceptable equivalent preparation.
2. Documentation of State of CT Emergency Medical Technician certification.
3. Documented verification of Emergency Medical Technician experience is required. Related health care experience may be considered. Applicants must have verification of involvement in 50 to 75 patient care calls as an EMT in an ambulance.
4. Mandatory entrance test(s) as part of the admission process.
5. Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic entrance exam with a qualifying score of 80 or above.
6. Two letters of reference from professional contacts.
7. Documentation of a current Healthcare Provider level cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification (CPR).
8. Successful completion of background check (at student expense).

Miscellaneous Information for Accepted Paramedic Students

Certification: Students are required to provide documentation of current CPR and EMT certifications and must remain current throughout the Program. A copy of the current certification cards will be kept on file at the college. Failure to comply will result in exclusion from the clinical learning experience.

• Current EMT certification must be maintained throughout the program. The paramedic program does NOT recognize the 90 day grace period for recertification allowed by OEMS.
• Healthcare Provider certification in Basic Life Support for adult, child, and infant. Certification can only be earned through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Courses meeting this requirement are: The American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers OR The American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer.

Clinical Sites: Clinical learning experiences are planned as an integral part of the paramedic courses and are held at a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, schools, ambulance and fire services, and selected community health centers. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from assigned clinical sites. Clinical experiences may be assigned during daytime, evening, or weekend hours.

Assignment of clinical sites is at the discretion of the faculty. Clinical sites have the right to refuse a student for clinical placement. If the student is not able to meet the clinical objectives and clinical outcomes of the course, the Program Director will notify the student and the student will be terminated from the Program..

Criminal Background Review: Capital Community College is required to process criminal background checks on paramedic students who affiliate at clinical sites. The purpose of the background check is to ensure a safe and protective environment for all clients, particularly populations at risk: children, the elderly, and the disabled.

• Students must follow the instructions for securing a background check. The student shall also sign the release to allow this information to be used by the Program Director as outlined below. Students choosing not to consent to this procedure will be ineligible to participate in the required clinical potion of the course and will not continue in the program.
• Students who have been found guilty of committing a felony or misdemeanor may be prevented by a facility from participating in clinical experiences. If you cannot participate in a clinical rotation at an assigned facility, you may not be able to complete the objectives of the course and of the program.
• Should a background check reveal a student is guilty of committing a felony or misdemeanor, the program will contact clinical agencies where the student will be placed. The clinical site is asked if they will accept the student given the background check found the student guilty of committing a felony or misdemeanor. The college will not give student name or actual crime, just the category of offense and date of offense. If the clinical sites say they will not accept the student for clinical placement, the student is not able to meet the clinical objectives and clinical outcomes of the course. The Director will notify the student and the student will be terminated from the Program.

Health Requirements: Additional immunizations and a completed physical exam are required for students to be able to attend clinical and field rotations. Current health forms and requirements are sent with the welcome packet and are reviewed again during orientation. Students not meeting the immunization and health form requirements by the due dates will be dismissed from the program.

Waiver of Licensure Guarantee: Upon successful completion of the Paramedic Program, the graduate is eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician psychomotor and cognitive exams to become a Paramedic. Graduation from the program does not guarantee licensure to practice as a paramedic. Licensure requirements and procedures are the responsibility of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Paramedic program, the graduate will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate theoretical information relevant to his/her role of a patient care provider in the field of out-of-hospital emergency care as a Paramedic. The graduate will:

1. Provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services system
2. Integrate the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide advanced level patient care and transportation
3. Function as a member of the comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight
4. Perform patient care interventions including invasive and pharmacological interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with acute out-of-hospital medical and traumatic emergencies

Please see Becoming Connecticut State Community College  for important information regarding this program and Fall 2023 opening of Connecticut State Community College.