American River College

 

PARAMEDIC

Degree:  A.S. -  Paramedic

Certificate: Paramedic
Area: Health & Education
Dean: Sheryl Gessford

Program Director: Grant Goold

Phone: (916) 484-8902
Counseling: (916) 484-8572

 

 

 

Click on any of the following:

~ APPLICATION TO ACCELERATED AND PART-TIME PARAMEDIC PROGRAMS 2008 (PDF)

~ PARAMEDIC GENERAL INFORMATION SHEET (PDF)

~ MORE INFORMATION AND FORMS

 

Emergency Medical Technical-Basic Information

The Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-Basic) program, PMED 100, provides the student with an outline of the EMS system, introduces assessment skills, as well as provides pathophysiology of common neurological, respiratory, and cardiac related emergencies. The EMT-Basic program is a one-semester basic training course for emergency medical technicians performing as ambulance attendants. It covers techniques of emergency medical care presently considered within the responsibilities of the emergency medical technician, and emphasizes the development of student skills in recognition of symptoms of illnesses and injuries and proper procedures of emergency care. 

A program completion certificate is awarded to students who pass the course with a 80% or better average. Successful completion of the EMT-Basic course provides eligibility to sit for the County of Sacramento Division of Public Health Emergency Medical Services certification examination. A student must be 18 years old in order to qualify for county certification. (Beginning January 2006, the County of Sacramento certification examination will no longer be offered, but will be replaced by the National Registry EMT-Basic examination).  Please contact the County of Sacramento at (916) 875-9753 for further information.

Successful EMT-Basic students may find employment with fire agencies, private ambulance companies, California Department of Forestry, ER techs, and other assorted jobs. Many successful EMT-Basic students have also gone onto paramedic school, medical school, nursing school, physician's assistant school, and other associated allied health professions. For more information concerning related careers, click here for more information about Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics 

Once enrolled, student will need to purchase malpractice insurance and obtain a background check.  Fees are not refundable and may be subject to change.  

Prerequisite: HEED 310 and HEED 323 with a grade of "C" or better or current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (Professional Rescuer or BLS Healthcare Provider card).

Paramedic Program

Paramedicine is a specialty whose practitioners respond to emergencies before a patient reaches a hospital, rendering basic and advanced medical treatment before and during transport to a medical facility. Paramedics work for fire departments, rescue squads, private providers, industrial companies, clinics, and hospitals.

Classroom, clinical and field internship training prepares paramedics to assess and treat a wide variety of medical emergencies.

The knowledge, skills and experience gained through the Paramedic program allows students to meet the responsibilities outlined in the Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum.

The Paramedic program is a full 12-month program. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System provides medical care to community members who are sick or injured.  The goal of the ARC program is to prepare individuals to render pre-hospital advanced life support within an organized EMS system.  Paramedics respond to emergencies in the pre-hospital setting and render basic and advanced medical treatment before and during transport.  In addition to the certification program, students have the option of taking courses, which will lead to the Associate in Science Degree.

Students are responsible for providing uniforms, special equipment packets, background check, malpractice insurance, and transportation to off-campus laboratory locations. Start-up costs are approximately $1,200, which includes student fees, books, malpractice insurance, uniforms, and lab fees.  Check the Enrollment and Tuition Fees for current student fees. The fee schedule is subject to change.  Financial aid questions should be directed to the Financial Aid Office on campus (484-8437).

The Paramedic program at American River College is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244 (817) 283-9403.

The American River College Paramedic program has a variety of paramedic academy options:

The full-time program begins each spring semester and requires students to meet on campus three days a week (8 hours per day). The full-time program is a full 12-month program.

The part-time program begins in the fall of 2008 and requires students to attend campus two nights a week (8 hours per week). The part-time program is designed to take four (4) semesters.

 

The Paramedic program also offers paramedic academies that have unique and varied schedules. Please check the American River College schedule for the most up-to-date listing of our paramedic offerings.  

 

Requirements for Pre-enrollment to the Program

 

1.  Graduation from an accredited high school in the United States or successful completion of General Education Development (GED) or California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) prior to time of application:

a)   Students with a high school diploma from a school outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved independent agency.  Such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.

b)   Students who possess an Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degree or higher from a regionally accredited college are exempt from the educational requirement stated above.

c)   Students who have attended college outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by a NACES approved independent agency, demonstrating AA/AS degree or higher.  Such cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.

2.   Current certification as an EMT-Basic and approximately one year verified recent and appropriate EMS experience. Questions related to EMS experience must be directed to Dr. Grant Goold, Program Coordinator, at 484-8843.  The program admissions committee will assess experience and/or equivalency. 

3.   A cumulative college GPA of 2.0 and a grade of “C” or better in BIOL 102 or BIOL 430 and BIOL 431 or a college human anatomy and physiology course with a lab which includes all human systems; a grade of “C” or better in PMED 105 or NURSE 320

4.   A current Curriculum Planning Summary Sheet from the Counseling department

NOTE:  For the initial evaluation of all transcripts and previous coursework and to determine if the above eligibility requirements have been met, an appointment must be scheduled with an ARC counselor at (916) 484-8572.  For course equivalency of pre-paramedic and degree major courses completed outside of the Los Rios Community College District, students must provide course descriptions. 

More Information & Forms    

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