Paramedic Technology
Associate of Applied Science
[ Kirk Chism ]
Paramedic Technology is a dynamic and high-responsibility allied health profession whose practitioners primarily serve in pre-hospital and emergency care settings such as ambulances, fire departments, and emergency response teams. Paramedics function as integral members of the health care delivery system, responding to medical emergencies, trauma incidents, and critical care situations. Their responsibilities include assessing patients, providing advanced life support, managing respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies, and transporting patients to appropriate medical facilities. Clinical duties involve interpreting electrocardiograms, establishing intravenous access, administering emergency medications, performing endotracheal intubation, using defibrillators, and managing patients with acute conditions. Paramedics also communicate with hospital staff, complete detailed patient care reports, and maintain medical equipment and supplies. In addition to clinical excellence, paramedics must exercise sound judgment, demonstrate leadership under pressure, and operate within legal and ethical frameworks. Training in paramedic technology emphasizes anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient assessment, medical procedures, and scenario-based simulation to ensure readiness for a wide range of emergency situations.
The Associate of Applied Science degree option consists of an 11 month program plus the general education core for AAS degrees. Students are required to complete all EMS course work with a grade of “C” or higher and successful completion of the certificate program (44 hours).
CIP Code: 510801
Program Code: 8750
Freshman Year
First Semester — 16 hrs
This course includes a comprehensive review of the knowledge base and skill set of the Emergency Medical Technician. History of EMS, Well-Being of the EMT, medical legal issues, communication, and documentation will be expanded to the role of the paramedic. This course includes the theory related to intravenous/intraosseous access, medication administration, patient assessment, and introductory pharmacological calculations. It also includes a laboratory experience designed to give psychomotor experience to the theoretical concepts developed in the lecture. (2 hr lecture, 2 hr lab)
This course integrates complex knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology into the assessment to develop and implement a treatment plan with the goal of assuring a patient airway, adequate mechanical ventilation, and respiration for patients of all ages. This course also includes a lab that will integrate comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology into the assessment to develop and implement a treatment plan with the goal of ensuring a patent airway, adequate mechanical ventilation, and respirations for patients of all ages. (2 hr lecture, 2 hr lab)
This course consists of the theory, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and treatments associated with the conditions of the cardiovascular system. This includes the theory of introductory, advanced, and multi-lead electrocardiogram interpretation. Changes in the lifespan will also be included. It is also a laboratory experience designed to give psychomotor experience to the theoretical concepts developed in the lecture.(3 hr lecture, 2 hr lab)
Using supervised rotations in a definitive care setting, the students will apply the concepts developed in the didactic and laboratory courses to live patients. This will include, but not be limited to rotations in the emergency department, ICU, OR, respiratory therapy, and pediatrics.
Knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities to ensure safe patient, public, and personnel safety. (2 hours lecture)
Second Semester — 16 hrs
A continuation of EMS – 1514. Using supervised rotations in a definitive care setting, the students will continue to develop assessment and treatment skills. The student will transition to field experience upon achieving competencies in the definitive care setting.
This course consists of the theory, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and treatments associated with conditions of the nervous system. This includes conditions related to structure and those associated with organic and nonorganic brain disease. Changes in the lifespan will be included. It is also a laboratory experience designed to give psychomotor experience to the theoretical concepts developed in the lecture. (2 hr lecture, 2 hr lab)
This course will integrate patient assessment and assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology across the lifespan. At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment/disposition plan for a patient with a medical complaint. (3 hr lecture, 2 hour lab)
This course will develop the basis for the pathophysiology, identification, and treatment of traumatic emergencies including coverage of concepts related to trauma systems and shock management. These concepts will be examined in patients across the life span. It also includes the trauma laboratory experience is designed to give psychomotor experience to the theoretical concepts developed in the lecture. (3 hour lecture, 2 hour lab)
Summer
Summer — 13 hrs
This course consists of the theory, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and treatments associated with conditions of the reproductive system. The course includes care of the newborn as part of the concepts in reproductive medicine. Changes in the lifespan will be included. It is also a laboratory experience designed to give psychomotor experience to the theoretical concepts developed in the lecture. (2 hour lecture, 2 hour lab)
Under the supervision of an approved program preceptor, the student will continue to apply the concepts developed in the didactic, laboratory, and clinical settings to the care of patients in the environment of EMS.
This course serves as a capstone experience course at the end of the Paramedic Program. This course will include the following topics: special needs patient populations, EMS research, principles of public health, integration of leadership, and emerging roles in EMS. It will also serve as a comprehensive review of the program. This course will provide the student with a final opportunity to incorporate their cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills through cumulative practical skill evaluations and a comprehensive Final Examination.