Paramedic AAS
SUNY Jefferson
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Paramedic AAS

Please note that the Paramedic program at Jefferson Community College has been discontinued and the College is not accepting applications for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Paramedic A.A.S. Program Highlights

  • Program Type: Career
  • Delivery: On-campus
  • Personal Interests: Paramedic, EMT
  • Skill Building: Crisis management, communication
  • Career Options: Paramedic, EMT
  • Program Code: HEGIS 5299

Serve the community

The primary goal of the paramedic curriculum is to prepare an individual to become a competent entry-level paramedic. Upon successful completion of the program, the student has fulfilled the educational requirements to take the New York State Health Department paramedic-level practical and written examinations.

The paramedic program is an intense program that prepares students to handle the rigors of providing emergency medical care, sometimes in the face of extreme conditions. The JCC paramedic program is designed to prepare the student by providing insightful lectures, practical laboratory sessions, and practical clinical experiences. The student should be prepared to spend several hours each week on class work, studying, and clinical rotations. The program is both intense and rewarding for individuals with the desire to practice pre-hospital emergency medicine.

Paramedics possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes consistent with the expectations of the public and the profession. Paramedics are recognized as an essential component of the continuum of care and serve as linkages among health resources.

Program terminal objective: To prepare competent entry level Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

What you will learn

Graduating from the Paramedic program with an A.A.S. degree you will be able to:

  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
  • Understand human body systems and pathophysiology.
  • Deliver patient care, including patient assessment and the development and implementation of treatment plans.
  • Exercise appropriate clinical decision-making and professional behavior.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities in the emergency medical services systems.

 

A career that helps people

Paramedics have fulfilled prescribed requirements by a credentialing agency to practice the art and science of out-of-hospital medicine in conjunction with medical direction. Through performance of assessments and providing medical care, their goal is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury. Paramedics primarily provide care to emergency patients in an out-of-hospital setting.


Paramedics strive to maintain high quality and reasonable cost health care by delivering patients directly to appropriate facilities. As an advocate for patients, paramedics seek to be proactive in affecting long term health care by working in conjunction with other provider agencies, networks, and organizations. The emerging roles and responsibilities of the paramedic include public education, health promotion, and participation in injury and illness prevention programs. As the scope of service continues to expand, the paramedic will function as a facilitator of access to care, as well as an initial treatment provider.

Paramedics are responsible and accountable to medical direction, the public, and their peers. Paramedics recognize the importance of research and actively participate in the design, development, evaluation, and publication of research. Paramedics seek to take part in life-long professional development, peer evaluation, and assume an active role in professional and community organizations.

Employment is expected to grow rapidly as paid Emergency Medical Service positions replace unpaid volunteers. In addition to job growth, openings will occur because of replacement needs. Most opportunities for paramedics are expected to arise in hospitals and ambulance services.

 

Contact Enrollment Services for Application and Admissions Information

Jules Center 6-010 (ground level)
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2437, fax (315) 786-2349 or toll free (888) 435-6522

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Friday

 

Transfer Opportunities

As a graduate of Jefferson, you will have many transfer opportunities to consider and will be able to choose from a wide variety of colleges and universities to pursue your baccalaureate degree. Jefferson has partnered with some selected academic institutions to develop agreements that help students transfer smoothly. These agreements assist students with selecting courses in their academic program that will transfer effectively to specific baccalaureate programs:

  • SUNY Canton, Health Services Management: Health Services, B.T.
  • Franklin University, Public Safety Management, B.S.

Admission

Applicants for admission to the paramedic curriculum must meet the admission standards of JCC and New York State Department of Health. All applications will be considered competitively. Students planning to enter the paramedic program must have a current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and a valid cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) card. These certifications must remain valid throughout the program. An applicant must also be a high school graduate or have a GED. Students planning to enter the paramedic program need to meet minimum competencies in reading, English, and mathematics. Although not required, having had courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and biology are helpful. The program is two academic years in length.

Any student who has applied for the paramedic program will be considered for the next scheduled class start. All classes start in the fall semester.

If admissions requirements have changed, students must meet new admission requirements. 

If it is less than 12 months since student has been in the program, the student shall submit a personal statement and updated copies of EMT and CPR cards.

If student has been out of the program greater than 12 months, the student shall submit a new complete application.

Applications for readmission should be submitted at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student seeks readmission.

Readmission applications will be reviewed by the paramedic program director, in consultation with the program medical director.

Readmission students will be given the same consideration as first time admitted students.

There are no restrictions on the number of times a student may be readmitted to the paramedic program.

Jefferson Community College recognizes that a standard curriculum for Paramedic education is required by the New York State Department of Health (National Educational Standards). Thus, in compliance with New York State Department of Health guidelines and sound academic practices, credit for prior learning will be granted to New York State Certified EMS providers as follows:

NYS Certified Paramedics

Students applying to the Paramedic A.A.S. degree program who are current NYS Certified Paramedics will be granted credit for equivalent course work. After providing appropriate documentation (a copy of valid NYS Paramedic card and an official letter mailed directly from the NYS DOH to Jefferson Community College), the student will receive credit for EMS 180 (9.5 credits), EMS 185 (9 credits), EMS 275 (3 credits), EMS 280 (6.5 credits), EMS 285 (5 credits), and EMS 290 (1 credit), for a total of 34 credits.

Paramedics certified in another state, or by the National Registry, will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Individuals should contact the Paramedic Program Director for direction. 

NYS Certified Emergency Medical Technicians

Students applying to the Paramedic Degree program who are current NYS Certified Emergency Medical Technician will be granted credit for equivalent course work. After providing appropriate documentation (a copy of valid card and an official letter mailed directly from the NYS DOH or National Registry of EMTs to Jefferson Community College), the student will receive credit for EMS 121 (8.5 credits), to be applied towards required free elective coursework.

Qualifications:

  • Complete the Application for Emergency Medical Services Certification (DOH-65), including affirmation regarding criminal convictions
  • Successfully complete an approved New York State EMT-B or AEMT course
  • Achieve a passing score on the practical and written certification examinations
  • Must be at least 18 years of age by the end of the month in which they are scheduled to take the written certification examination
  • Knowledge and Skills required show need for high school or equivalent education
  • Ability to communicate effectively via telephone and radio equipment
  • Ability to lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance)
  • Ability to interpret oral, written and diagnostic form instructions
  • Ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high stress situations
  • Ability to be unaffected by loud noises and flashing lights
  • Ability to function efficiently without interruption throughout an entire work shift
  • Ability to calculate weight and volume ratios
  • Ability to read English language, manuals and road maps
  • Ability to accurately discern street signs and addresses
  • Ability to interview patients, patient family members and bystanders
  • Ability to document, in writing, all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such
  • Ability to converse, in English, with coworkers and hospital staff with regard to the status of the patient
  • Possesses good manual dexterity with ability to perform all tasks related to the highest quality patient care
  • Ability to bend, stoop and crawl on uneven terrain
  • Ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold and moisture
  • Ability to work in low light situations and confined spaces
  • Ability to work with other providers to make appropriate patient care decisions

Degree requirements for Paramedic A.A.S.

Effective Fall 2018

Paramedic A.A.S. Paramedic Requirements (34 Credit Hours)
Paramedic Requirements (34 credit hours) Credit Hours
EMS 180:  Paramedic A 9.5
EMS 185:  Paramedic B 9
EMS 280:  Paramedic C 6.5
EMS 285:  Paramedic D 5
EMS 275:  Paramedic Capstone Field Internship 3
EMS 290:  Paramedic Psychomotor Summative 1
Liberal Arts Requirements (27 credit hours)
Liberal Arts Requirements (27 credit hours) Credit Hours
BIO 106:  Human Biology or
BIO 111: General Biology 1 or 
BIO 131:  Principles of Biology1
4
BIO 251:  Anatomy and Physiology 1 4
BIO:  252:  Anatomy and Physciology 2 4
ENG 101:  Research and Composition 3
ENG 218:  Technical and Professional Writing 3
STA 101:  Fundamentals of Oral Communication or
STA 151:  Public Speaking or
STA 161:  Interpersonal Communication
3
Math Elective (MTH 125 or higher) 3
Social Science Elective2 3
Paramedic A.A.S. Physical Education Requirements (1 Credit Hour)
Physical Education Requirement 1 Credit Hour

Total Credit Hours 62

 

Paramedic A.A.S. Advising Notes
Advising Notes:  
1BIO 106:  Human Biology recommended  
2PSY 133 recommended  

 

Program Contacts

Linda Dittrich

Associate Vice President for Math/Science, Technology, and Health
ldittrich@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-232