Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic

Technology and Health Division
Public Safety Programs Department
Students who complete the required courses listed below for the Paramedic Certificate and who also complete the graduation requirements of Mt. San Antonio College will be awarded the Associate in Science degree in Emergency Medical Services.

This Paramedic Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and approved by the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency as meeting and exceeding the minimum standards as specified in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration national standard curriculum. It is designed to train paramedics to work on ambulances and in the fire service.

This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:

Required Courses

Recommended Electives

The Emergency Medical Services faculty recommends that students complement their studies with selected elective courses chosen from the list above. Students should meet with a professor of Emergency Medical Services to help them determine which electives would best suit their career plans.

Special Information

To remain in the program, students must maintain a grade of “B” (80%) or better in all courses, per state regulations. Before starting clinical rotations, students must pass a criminal background check. Upon successful completion of the required courses, students are granted a certificate documenting completion of the Paramedic Program. Students are then eligible for licensure by taking and passing both the National Registry Exam and County Paramedic accreditation exam.

Public Safety Programs Website

Admission

Paramedic Program Readmission Policy

If the student fails any of the co-requisite courses, EMS 10 - EMS 60, he/she will be dropped from the program. If the student wishes to repeat the program, a Success Plan and Contract will be developed with the faculty to increase the student’s chances of success prior to re-entry. If the student withdraws or is dismissed from the program a second time, he/she will not be allowed to reenter the Paramedic Program at Mt. SAC.

Application Requirements

In addition to meeting Mt. San Antonio College academic standards for admission, applicants must be in good standing and satisfy the following requirements:

1. Be an EMT currently certified in California.
2. Submit a letter on official stationery from a recognized EMS agency verifying completion of six (6) months of pre-hospital field experience as an EMT (approximately 1,200 hours) within the last 2 years.
3. File a College application and be accepted as a student at Mt. San Antonio College.
4. Submit an application for the Paramedic Program to the Health Science Programs Office (909) 274-5051. All applications are dated upon receipt in the Health Science Programs Office. The Paramedic Program begins two (2) times per year.
5. Successful completion of EMS 1 Paramedic Fundamentals and Selection.
6. A physical examination, proof of certain immunizations, a criminal background check, and drug test are required of all candidates after acceptance to the program and before entrance into the clinical setting. Forms and information will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

All applicants are expected to meet the essential functions for success in the paramedic program.

Physical Demands

• Perform prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking, lifting, positioning, pushing, and or transferring patients
• Possess the ability to perform fine motor movements with hands and fingers
• Possess the ability for extremely heavy effort (lift and carry at least 125 pounds)
• Perform considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

Sensory Demands

• Color vision: ability to distinguish and identify colors (may be corrected with adaptive devices)
• Distance vision: ability to see clearly 20 feet or more
• Depth perception: ability to judge distance and space relationships
• Near vision: ability to see clearly 20 inches or less
• Hearing: able to recognize a full range of tones

Working Environment

• May be exposed to infectious and contagious disease, without prior notification
• Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases
• Exposed to hazardous agents, body fluids and wastes
• Exposed to odorous chemicals and specimens
• Subject to hazards of flammable, explosive gases
• Subject to burns and cuts
• Emergency medical scene and patient management
• Subject to many interruptions
• Contact with patients having different religious, culture, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, psychological and physical disabilities, and under a wide variety of circumstances
• Requires decisions/actions related to end of life issues
• Exposed to products containing latex

English Language Skills

Although proficiency in English is not a criterion for admission into the EMT-P program, students are encouraged to be able to speak, write and read English to complete classes successfully and ensure safety for themselves and others.

Accreditation

The Emergency Medical Services program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Contact:
Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9335 113th Street North, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:

• Demonstrate competence in the following areas: patient assessment skills, scene management, knowledge of the laws governing Paramedic scope of practice, knowledge of the functions of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems as they relate to paramedic practices and patient care, the ability to utilize appropriate communications skills and demeanor with patients, family members, and field/hospital staff as well as display assertiveness in emergency situations as evidenced by proper assessment and selection of interventions.
• Demonstrate competence in the assessment and treatment of the following: Cardiovascular emergencies, Neurological emergencies, Respiratory emergencies, Abdominal emergencies, Diabetic emergencies, Endocrine/renal emergencies, Behavioral emergencies, Traumatic emergencies, Environmental emergencies, Obstetrical emergencies, and Pediatric emergencies.
• Be employable/seeking employment in the field of paramedicine or a related field.
• Have demonstrated skills competency to State & National standards.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.