Paramedic Certificate

Emergency medical services is the career for you. Here's how you get started.

This program readies you to take the National Registry exam for certificate as a paramedic.

Earning this certificate also qualifies you to serve as the lead person on an ambulance crew, providing care in emergency situations.

To fully advance in the field, you'll want to continue on to earn your Paramedic AAS degree.

Accreditation Information

The Southeastern Community 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
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

To contact CoAEMSP:
(214) 703-8445
www.coaemsp.org

Paramedic Program Outcomes

Program location

Available in West Burlington Not available in Keokuk Not available online

Skills you'll learn

  • Select courses related to EMS provide the student with a broad base of advanced emergency care skills.

Key classes you'll take

  • Paramedic I
  • Paramedic II
  • Paramedic III

Where this program can take you

  • Ground or Air Medical Transport
  • Ambulance Service
  • Fire Station
  • Hospital
  • Industry

Industry partners

  • Lee County Ambulance Service
  • Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center
  • Burlington Fire Department

Contact Us

West Burlington Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 208-5155
Text: (319) 250-7144
Email: admissionswb@scciowa.edu

Keokuk Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 313-1923
Text: (319) 220-3266
Email: admissionskeo@scciowa.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Admission standards apply to this program. Students must must be at least eighteen years of age. All other eligibility requirements must be met.

EMS-201 is required, unless current EMT Certification is held. If nationally registered, must obtain State Certification prior to the start of EMS-663.

Emergency Medical Technician Certificate awarded after completion of EMS-201, which is offered in both fall and spring semesters.

Successful completion of EMT State Certification required prior to admission to the Paramedic Program.

Entry into EMS-663 requires a high school diploma or equivalent and EMT certificate.

Paramedic Certificate awarded after completion of EMS-665.

Accreditation Information

The Southeastern Community 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
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org

To contact CoAEMSP:
(214) 703-8445
www.coaemsp.org

Paramedic Program Outcomes

Summary Sheet

The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.

Download the Summary Sheet.

Curriculum Sequence


Fall OR Spring Semester Course Title Credit
EMS-201 Emergency Medical Technician 7
TOTAL CREDITS 7

Fall Semester Course Title Credit
EMS-663 Paramedic I 16.5
TOTAL CREDITS 16.5

Spring Semester Course Title Credit
EMS-667 Paramedic II 17
TOTAL CREDITS 17

Summer Semester Course Title Credit
EMS-665 Paramedic III 7
TOTAL CREDITS 7

EMS-201 - Emergency Medical Technician

Lecture: 5

Lab: 2

On Job Training: 4

Credit: 7

This course is designed to instruct a student to the level of emergency medical technician who serves as a vital link in the chain of the health care team. Southeastern Community College's training program follows the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Department of Transportation (DOT) EMT curriculum. This course includes all skills necessary for the individual to provide emergency medical care at a basic life support level with an ambulance service or other specialized service. Southeastern Community College is approved by the Iowa State Department of Public Health (Bureau of EMS). Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be eligible to take the National Registry's practical and written exam for EMT certification. Students must be 17 years old to enroll. Prerequisite: Current basic life support certification (health care providers module).

EMS-663 - Paramedic I

Lecture: 12

Lab: 8

Clinical: 1.5

Credit: 16.5

This course prepares the student in the knowledge and skills needed in the pre-hospital environment. National Standard Paramedic Curriculum topics covered include: Well-being of the EMT, Illness and Injury Prevention, Ethics, EMS System, Roles and Responsibilities, Medical Legal Issues, Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Communications, Life-span Development, Airway Management and Ventilation, Patient Assessment, Communications, Documentation, Medication Administration, Pharmacology and Cardiology. Lab skills addressed include patient assessment, development of airway management skills, IV fluid management skills, communication skill development and cardiac monitoring skills. Prerequisite: Current Iowa EMT Certificate.

EMS-667 - Paramedic II

Lecture: 10

Lab: 6

Clinical: 12

Credit: 17

This course prepares the student in the knowledge and skills needed in the pre-hospital environment. National Standard Paramedic curriculum topics covered include: Medication Administration and Medical and Trauma Emergencies of various body systems. This course has a hospital clinical internship. This internship provides the opportunity to apply, in the clinical setting, the didactic knowledge and skills developed in the classroom and lab. It serves to assist the student to become an employable EMS provider. Clinical skills addressed include trauma management, patient assessment and evaluation; airway management skills, IV fluid management skills, communication skill development and cardiac monitoring skills. Prerequisite: EMS-663.

EMS-665 - Paramedic III

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

On Job Training: 16

Credit: 7

This course prepares the student in the knowledge and skills needed in the pre-hospital environment. National Standard Paramedic Curriculum topics covered include: Review of previous course material, Pediatrics, Geriatric, Psychiatric Disorders and Patients with Special Challenges. This course also includes hospital clinical internship. This internship provides the opportunity to apply, in the clinical setting, the didactic knowledge and skills developed in the classroom and lab. It serves to assist the student to become an employable EMS provider. Clinical skills addressed include pediatric assessment and management, gynecological management, geriatric management, trauma management, patient assessment, airway management skills, IV fluid management skills, communication skill development and cardiac monitoring skills. Prerequisite: EMS-663.

James Steffen - Assistant Professor - Emergency Medical Services

Email: jsteffen@scciowa.edu
AAS, Southeastern Community College
BA, Bellevue University