Course Catalog

Paramedicine Accelerated, TCC (PAF1) Technical Certificate of Credit

Campus Locations: Valdosta, Coffee

Paramedics provide more extensive pre-hospital care than do EMTs. In addition to carrying out the procedures of the other levels, paramedics administer medications orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations, and use monitors and other complex equipment. However, like the AEMT level, what paramedics are permitted to do varies by State.EMTs and paramedics work both indoors and out, in all types of weather. They are required to do considerable kneeling, bending, and heavy lifting. These workers are at a higher risk for contracting illnesses or experiencing injuries on the job than workers in other occupations. They risk noise-induced hearing loss from sirens and back injuries from lifting patients. In addition, EMTs and paramedics may be exposed to communicable diseases, such as hepatitis-B and AIDS, as well as to violence from mentally unstable or combative patients. The work is not only physically strenuous but can be stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death situations and suffering patients. Nonetheless, many people find the work exciting and challenging and enjoy the opportunity to help others. These workers experienced a larger than average number of work-related injuries or illnesses. Many EMTs and paramedics are required to work more than 40 hours a week. Because emergency services function 24 hours a day, EMTs and paramedics may have irregular working hours. All 50 States require EMTs and Paramedics to be licensed, but the levels and titles vary from State to State. In most States and the District of Columbia certification by the NREMT is required at some or all levels. Some States administer their own certification examination or provide the option of taking either the NREMT or State examination. In most States, licensure renewal is required every two to three years and generally, EMTs and paramedics must take refresher training courses or complete continuing education requirements.

Program Outcomes: The Paramedic Accelerated technical certificate program provides learning opportunities that introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills from the EMT/EMT-I 1985/AEMT levels to a paramedic level. Successful completion of the program allows the graduate to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic certification examination and apply for Georgia licensure with the State Office of Emergency Medical Service and Trauma (SOEMST) as a paramedic.

Careers: Paramedic careers include ambulances, fire rescue departments, medical offices, and hospitals

Start Terms:

Valdosta – Fall 2023, Fall 2024
Coffee – Summer 2024, Summer 2025

Length of Program: 4 Terms

Admission Requirements:

General College Admissions and Placement
Be at least 18 years of age

Program-Specific Admission Requirements:

To enroll in EMSP classes, students must maintain good academic standing at Wiregrass; those on academic warning, probation, or suspension are ineligible. Additionally, all registration holds must be cleared for registration eligibility.
Students must successfully complete the Emergency Medical PreParamedic Technical Certificate of credit prior to registering for the occupational courses included in this program (2000 level EMSP courses) OR must hold certification and/or licensure as an EMT I/85 (with successful completion of Georgia State Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma EMTI to AEMT update course); EMT I/99; or AEMT

Program Information

All programs within the EMS/Paramedicine department program operates on a cohort basis, requiring students to take EMSP classes as prescribed by the program.
Health Science students must meet additional requirements. See the Health Science Program Advising Packet for more information.
Clinical experience is required to complete the program, and students must meet all clinical requirements defined by the clinical facility. No student will be denied admissions to a program due to these requirements; however, the clinical partner requirement may prevent a student from completing the program. Clinical requirements may include, but not limited to, some or all of the following: American Heart Association Provider CPR certification, physical examination or proof of ability to perform required duties, Tuberculin skin test, up-to-date immunizations, mandatory vaccinations, and/or titers. A criminal background check and drug screen are required prior to performing the clinical rotation. Students unable to meet clinical requirements may not be able to graduate from the program. Alternate clinical locations may not be offered or available if a student is unable to meet clinical requirements.

Program Mission Statement: “To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.”

The Wiregrass Georgia Technical College 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).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 – 113^th St. N., #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
https://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

Program Effectiveness based on pass rates for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic written exam.

Program Effectiveness Data	2020	2021	2022
Number of Graduates	8	3	25
Pass Rate	57%	33.3%	60%
Retention Rate	89%	80%	73.5%
Job Placement Rate%	88%	100%	100%

EMS Program Student Handbook 2023

Curriculum Outline (44 hours)

Occupational Courses	44
EMSP 2110Foundations of Paramedicine Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course introduces the student to the role of the paramedic in today's healthcare system, with a focus on the prehospital setting. This course will also prepare the student to integrate scene and patient assessment findings with knowledge of epidemiology and pathophysiology to form a field impression. This includes developing a list of differential diagnoses through clinical reasoning to modify the assessment and formulate a treatment plan. Topics include: EMS Systems; Research; Workforce Safety and Wellness; Documentation; EMS System Communication; Therapeutic Communication; Medical/Legal and Ethics; Life Span Development; Public Health; Incident Management; Air Medical; Scene Size-Up; Primary Assessment; History Taking; Secondary Assessment; Monitoring Devices; and Reassessment.	3
EMSP 2120Applications of Pathophysiology for Paramedics Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course expands the concepts of pathophysiology as it correlates to disease processes. This course will enable the student to apply the general concepts of pathophysiology to the assessment and management of patients in the emergency setting. Topics include: Pathophysiology.	3
EMSP 2130Advanced Resuscitative Skills for Paramedics Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course will equip the paramedicine student with an expanded knowledge of pharmacology, as well as skills used to manage the respiratory system. Students will learn to use these advanced resuscitative skills to mitigate patient care emergencies, and to improve the overall health of the patient. Topics include: Principles of Pharmacology; Medication Administration; Emergency Medications; Airway Management; Respiration; and Artificial Ventilation.	3
EMSP 2140Advanced Cardiovascular Concepts Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course equips the paramedicine student with an expanded knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and electrophysiology of the cardiovascular system. Students will also examine the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease, and will begin to integrate advanced assessment skills (including ECG interpretation) into the assessment of cardiac patients. Topics include: Anatomy, Physiology, and Electrophysiology of the Cardiovascular System; Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease; Assessment of the Cardiac Patient; Electrocardiographic (ECG) interpretation.	4
EMSP 2310Therapeutic Modalities of Cardiovascular Care Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course will enable the student to integrate assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment/disposition plan for a patient experiencing a cardiovascular emergency. Topics include: Cardiovascular Emergencies and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).	3
EMSP 2320Therapeutic Modalities of Medical Care Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 4 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course will enable the student to integrate assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment/disposition plan for a patient experiencing a medical emergency. Topics include: Medical Overview; Neurology; Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Disorders; Immunology; Infectious Disease; Endocrine Disorders; Psychiatric; Toxicology; Respiratory; Hematology; Genitourinary/Renal; Non-Traumatic Musculoskeletal Disorders; Diseases of the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat; and Assessment of Medical Emergencies.	5
EMSP 2330Therapeutic Modalities of Trauma Care Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course will enable the student to integrate a comprehensive knowledge of causes and pathophysiology into the management of traumatic: cardiac arrest and peri-arrest states; shock, respiratory failure or arrest with an emphasis on early intervention to prevent arrest. This course will also include integrating assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression to implement a comprehensive treatment/disposition plan for an acutely injured patient. During this course, the student will complete a nationally recognized pre-hospital trauma course (i.e. PHTLS, ITLS, ATT, etc.). Topics include: Shock and Trauma Resuscitation; Trauma Overview; Bleeding; Chest Trauma; Abdominal and Genitourinary Trauma; Orthopedic Trauma; Soft Tissue Trauma; Head, Facial, Neck, and Spine Trauma; Nervous System Trauma; Special Considerations in Trauma; Environmental Emergencies; Multi-System Trauma; and Assessment of Trauma Emergencies.	4
EMSP 2340Therapeutic Modalities-Special Patient Populations Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course will enable the student to integrate assessment findings with principles of pathophysiology and knowledge of psychosocial needs to formulate a field impression and implement a comprehensive treatment/disposition plan for various special patient populations. During this course, the student will also complete a nationally recognized pediatric course (i.e. EPC, PALS, PEPP, etc.). Topics include: Obstetrics; Gynecology; Neonatal Care; Pediatrics; Geriatrics; and Patients with Special Challenges.	4
EMSP 2510Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - I Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides the paramedicine student with supervised clinical experience in various clinical settings. EMSP 2510 Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - I is one in a series of courses that also includes: EMSP 2520, EMSP 2530, EMSP 2540, EMSP 2550, EMSP 2560 and EMSP 2570. The successful completion of all of these will result in meeting all clinical standards required by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma (SOEMST). Topics include: Clinicals.	2
EMSP 2520Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - II Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides the paramedicine student with supervised clinical experience in various clinical settings. EMSP 2520 Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - II is one in a series of courses that also includes: EMSP 2510, EMSP 2530, EMSP 2540, EMSP 2550, EMSP 2560 and EMSP 2570. The successful completion of all of these will result in meeting all clinical standards required by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma (SOEMST). Topics include: Clinicals.	2
EMSP 2530Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - III Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides the paramedicine student with supervised clinical experience in various clinical settings. EMSP 2530 Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - III is one in a series of courses that also includes: EMSP 2510, EMSP 2520, EMSP 2540, EMSP 2550, EMSP 2560 and EMSP 2570. The successful completion of all of these will result in meeting all clinical standards required by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma (SOEMST). Topics include: Clinicals.	2
EMSP 2540Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - IV Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides the paramedicine student with supervised clinical experience in various clinical settings. EMSP 2540 Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - IV is one in a series of courses that also includes: EMSP 2510, EMSP 2520, EMSP 2530, EMSP 2550, EMSP 2560 and EMSP 2570. The successful completion of all of these will result in meeting all clinical standards required by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma (SOEMST). Topics include: Clinicals.	1
EMSP 2550Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - V Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides the paramedicine student with supervised clinical experience in various clinical settings. EMSP 2550 Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - V is one in a series of courses that also includes: EMSP 2510, EMSP 2520, EMSP 2530, EMSP 2540, EMSP 2560 and EMSP 2570. The successful completion of all of these will result in meeting all clinical standards required by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma (SOEMST). Topics include: Clinicals.	1
EMSP 2560Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - VI Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides the paramedicine student with supervised clinical experience in various clinical settings. EMSP 2520 Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - VI is one in a series of courses that also includes: EMSP 2510, EMSP 2520, EMSP 2530, EMSP 2540, EMSP 2550 and EMSP 2570. The successful completion of all of these will result in meeting all clinical standards required by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma (SOEMST). Topics include: Clinicals.	1
EMSP 2570Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - VII Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides the paramedicine student with supervised clinical experience in various clinical settings. EMSP 2520 Clinical Applications for the Paramedic - VII is one in a series of courses that also includes: EMSP 2510, EMSP 2520, EMSP 2530, EMSP 2540, EMSP 2550 and EMSP 2560. The successful completion of all of these will result in meeting all clinical standards required by the State Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma (SOEMST). Topics include: Clinicals.	1
EMSP 2710Field Internship for the Paramedic Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Provides supervised field internship experience in the prehospital advanced life support setting. Topics include: Field Internship.	2
EMSP 2720Practical Applications for the Paramedic Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Allows opportunities to demonstrate critical thinking skills and assessment based management techniques through competency based evaluations relevant to the practice of a Paramedic. Topics include: Assessment Based Management for Paramedics.	3