Paramedic Course

The paramedic education program covers all emergency medical concepts and techniques currently considered to be within the responsibilities of the paramedic (EMT-P) providing emergency care in a pre-hospital setting as set forth by the Unit of Emergency Medical Services of the State of Missouri. This program meets or exceeds course requirements established by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Missouri Unit of Emergency Medical Services. The education program will also cover topics related to the future trends and care methodologies in emergency medicine.

Important: Please complete the application before completing the entrance exam.

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    Course objectives

    This course provides the necessary education and experience to prepare the student for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic Certification process. The paramedic provides advanced pre-hospital emergency medical care under medical command authority to acutely ill or injured patients and/or transports patients by ambulance or other emergency vehicle. The paramedic assumes the role of the leader of patient care, and must manage not only the patient, but the scene at which care is taking place. The paramedic might perform other medical services under medical direction outside the hospital environment. To fulfill the role of the paramedic, an individual must be able to:

    • Recognize a medical emergency, assess the situation, manage emergency medical care, and coordinate efforts with those agencies that may be involved in the care and transportation of the patient.
    • Meet the needs of the patient’s family and significant others to decrease their state of anxiety.
    • Assign priorities to emergency treatment for the designated medical command authority.
    • Record and communicate pertinent data to the designated medical command authority.
    • Initiate and continue emergency medical care under medical control, including the recognition of presenting conditions, initiation of appropriate treatments, and assessment of the response of the patient to that treatment, modifying medical therapy as directed.
    • Direct and coordinate the transport of the patient by selecting the best available method(s) in conjunction with medical command authority.
    • Record, in writing or by data entry, the details related to the patient's emergency medical care and the incident.
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    Qualifications

    Are you interested in a career in emergency medical services? To learn more about an exciting career assessing injuries, delivering emergency medical care, and extricating individuals from entrapment, use the following O*Net Online link. It includes an explanation of the technical skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to perform this vital public service. Additionally, you will find information about job openings, wages and employment, and related occupations.

    View O*Net Online

    • Completed Application (including essay, reference letters and non-refundable registration fee)
    • Be 18 years of age.
    • High school diploma or G.E.D.
    • EMTB license
    • Be of good mental and physical health and able to lift and carry 100 to 150 lbs.
    • Be a U.S. Citizen or have a legal right to work in the U.S.
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    Course pre-requisites

    • One letter of recommendation
    • Current health insurance
    • Have a valid email address and regular access to a computer
    • Current HealthCare Provider Certification
      • In need of CPR-BLS certification? Contact the Sheldon Clinical Simulation Center.
    • Current Missouri EMTB License
    • Entrance Exam - Comprehensive score >70%
      • Material covered: math, reading comprehension and writing skills
    • Current Medical Liability Insurance (submitted after acceptance into program)
    • 7 Panel Urine Drug Screen- Negative within nine months from the start of class, may be subject to additional screenings during course
    • Immunizations/Health Screenings (submitted after acceptance into program)
      • Covid-19 vaccine and boosters, or religious exemption
      • 2 Mantoux Tuberculin (TB) skin tests 1 week apart in the same calendar year
      • Hepatitis B / Heptavax Series in progress or verification of completion (series of 3 - must have at least #2 prior to having patient contact)
      • MMR - Positive titer with date of test OR documentation of 2 immunizations (one after 1980)
      • Varicella (Chicken Pox) 2 vaccines one month apart OR positive titer
      • Flu Vaccination (If unable to receive vaccine due to documented allergic reaction, must submit “Immunization Allergic Reaction Form”)
      • Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) or (Tdap) documented within 10 years
    • Recommended: College level anatomy and physiology courses
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    Course length

    • 53 weeks, one day per week, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
      • Specialized training sessions may be held on selected weekends or other times (to be announced)
    • 650 hours of Clinical Rotation experience outside of class (may require more hours depending on clinical site location)
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    Course credit

    54 semester hours in the vocational certificate or in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, (37 semester hours in Paramedic Science [26 hours lecture, 6 hours clinical and 5 hours field experience] and 17 semester hours in Allied Health.

    Central Methodist University: 30 credit hours through CMU’s Retro-Credit process dependent upon acceptance into CMU, obtaining National Registry certification, and a current state paramedic license.

    ACE credit recommendation: up to 46 semester hours in the emergency medical vocational certificate or in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category.

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    Preceptor training

    The EMT-Basic and Paramedic education programs cover all emergency medical concepts and techniques currently considered to be within the responsibilities of the EMT-Basic and Paramedic providing emergency care in a pre-hospital setting as set forth by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services of the State of Missouri. These programs meet or exceed course requirements established by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Missouri Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The education program will also cover topics related to the future trends and care methodologies in emergency medicine.

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    Student resources

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Meet the Experts

Accreditation

The University of Missouri Health Care EMS Institute’s 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).

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To contact CAAHEP

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

To contact COAEMSP

8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
FAX (214) 703-8992
www.coaemsp.org