Emergency Medical Technology

EMT - Paramedic School

Classroom instruction, lab practice, and clinical experience provides students with the knowledge and background to enter the workforce as an EMT-Paramedic.

The paramedic program requires five additional classes beyond the emergency medical technician basic course to prepare competent entry-level emergency medical technicians-paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The additional courses focus on cardiac monitoring, intravenous access, medication administration, intubation, and how to assess the nature and extent of injuries and illnesses in order to establish and prioritize the procedures to be followed.

Lab sessions provide learning and practice opportunities with these skills and computerized learning tools help students achieve high levels of competency. A clinical experience included as part of the program, allows students to further refine skills on real patients. To progress from one class to the next, students must have a 75% or better class average. At the end of the program, students are tested on core skills required to become a paramedic. Successful completion of these skills along with an average grade of 75% in class will allow students to take the National Registry written and practical exam.

Paramedic emergency medical technicians work under the direction of a physician to recognize, assess, and manage medical emergencies of acutely ill or injured patients in prehospital care settings. Their goal is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury. Paramedics possess basic skills in opening up airways, restoring breathing, controlling bleeding, treating for shock and administering oxygen. In addition, paramedics may administer drugs, interpret electrocardiograms, perform endotracheal intubation and use other complex equipment.

Upon completion of this certificate/area of specialization, students are eligible to take the National Registry Certification exam to become certified in the State of Ohio as a paramedic.

• EMTS 2100 Paramedic Beginner
• EMTS 2021 Paramedic Intermediate A
• EMTS 2031 Paramedic Intermediate B
• EMTS 2041 Paramedic Advanced
• EMTS 2051 Advanced Clinical - Capstone

Certification requirements to be an EMT-Paramedic are:

• Maintain a state EMT card
• Maintain a CPR card
• Successfully complete all five classes
• Successfully complete the clinical experience and field internship
• Pass the ACLS test
• Successfully pass the National Registry written exam
• Successfully complete the National Registry practical exam

To become a paramedic in Ohio, you must complete a state-approved paramedic program, which typically takes at least one year, or three semesters, to complete. The program will include a minimum of 600 combined didactic and laboratory hours and 450 combined clinical and field hours. Additionally, applicants must pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam to be certified. The exam requires applicants to schedule their tests in advance, and the results are usually available within a few days of taking the test.

To become a paramedic in the United States, you must hold a valid State EMT certification, complete a state-approved paramedic program and pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exam. The paramedic program typically takes at least one year, or three semesters, to complete and includes a minimum of 600 combined classroom and laboratory hours and 450 combined clinical and field hours. Additionally, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and a valid CPR certification.

The main difference between an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a paramedic is the level of education and the kind of procedures they are allowed to perform. EMTs have basic training in providing medical services and can perform basic life-saving procedures such as CPR, using a defibrillator, using an oxygen tank, and clearing obstructed airways. Paramedics have a more advanced level of training and can perform more complex medical procedures, such as administering medications, starting IVs and performing invasive procedures. Additionally, paramedics have more autonomy than EMTs when it comes to what they can do in the field.

For up-to-date information on average salaries and job information, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.