Paramedic

About the Program

The paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, und​er medical oversight.

Students who successfully complete the paramedic program are eligible to sit for the National Registry exam and obtain their NRP. Additionally, students who wish to continue their education and work towards an Associate of Applied Science degree and who have current, unencumbered paramedic certification may be able to receive credits for the paramedic courses through credential assessment.

Program Requirements

Students must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED^®, achieve minimal competency on the Cecil College Assessments, be affiliated with an Maryland ALS company in good standing, have EMT-B certification for at least one year or primary provider for a minimum of 150 calls, and successful completion of the NRP entry exam, offered in early spring. All students will be required to meet the following technical standards:

1. ​​Must be free of contagion and possess sufficient physical stamina with or without reasonable accommodations and mental stability to fulfill the requirements of the program and the customary requirements of the profession.
2. Work for 8-12 hours performing physical tasks requiring physical energy without jeopardy to patient and student safety as, for example bending, lifting, turning, and ambulating patients.
3. Perform fine movements and be able to manipulate instruments and equipment.
4. Establish and work toward goals in a consistently responsible, realistic manner.
5. Have auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
6. Have visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for patient care.
7. Be able to lift 50 lbs.

Additionally, the majority of healthcare facilities require a background and drug screen of all students who enter their facility; therefore all healthcare career students are required to successfully complete a background check and drug screen upon entering any health professions program.

Students who are not successfully cleared will be unable to complete the clinical portion of the health professions program and thus, will not be eligible to complete the health professions program.

Completion of a student health profile and certification in healthcare provider CPR (American Heart Association) is also required prior to clinical.

Required Courses

You are required to complete the following courses:

Program Learning Outcomes

The over-arching goal of the paramedic program at Cecil College is to prepare competent entry-level paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Paramedic End-Of-Program Goals

The goal of the paramedic program is to prepare competent entry-level paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. By the completion of the paramedic certificate program, the Cecil College paramedic graduates are prepared to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to assign priority levels of emergency treatment to patients and effectively perform all basic and advanced interventions as part of a treatment plan intended to mitigate the emergency, provide symptom relief, and improve overall health of the patient and evaluate the plan and treatment and disposition of the patient accordingly.
2. Function as a team leader of a routine, single or multi-patient advanced life support call.
3. Perform in cooperation with medical direction, the need for emergency medical care including the recognition of life-threatening disorders such as airway and respiratory problems, cardiac dysrhythmias, traumatic injuries, and mental health emergencies, to an appropriate care facility by the most effective means of transportation.
4. Demonstrate with proficiency the management of cardiac arrest and peri-arrest states and apply comprehensive knowledge of the causes and pathophysiology into the management of shock, respiratory failure or arrest with an emphasis on early intervention to prevent cardiac arrest.
5. Communicate effectively, professionally and in a culturally sensitive manner, with patients, colleagues and other health care professionals, in all written and oral communications.
6. Perform with safety and efficiency all psychomotor skills in accordance with the National EMS Scope of Practice and the State of Maryland Scope of Practice at the paramedic level.
7. Perform and direct routine maintenance and preparation of emergency care equipment and supplies at the beginning and end of each shift and after every response.
8. Prepared to take the NRP Exam (psychomotor and cognitive).

Student/Graduate Achievement Data

In accordance with the requirements of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), the Paramedic program at Cecil College is pleased to report the following student/graduate achievement data below.

Estimated Program Costs for Paramedic Students

Cecil College offers the paramedic program in collaboration with the Cecil County Government Department of Emergency Services and with the ongoing support from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Service Systems. The cost of the program includes both the program fees and tuition. If you have questions, please contact Amanda Horn at ahorn@nullcecil.edu or (410) 287-1008.

Program Accreditation & Approval

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)

The Cecil College Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 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 (CAAHEP)
9355 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
(727) 210-2350
mail@nullcaahep.org

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
(214) 709-8992 (fax)
www.coaemsp.org​

Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS)

The Paramedic program at Cecil College and Cecil County Department of Emergency Services is a unique partnership designed to meet the healthcare needs of Cecil County. The paramedic program is approved by Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS).

Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Service Systems
653 West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(800) 762-7157
www.miemss.org

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

Paramedic (Associate of Applied Science)

Students who wish to continue their education and work towards an Associate of Applied Science degree and who have current, unencumbered paramedic certification may be able to receive up to 28 credits for the EMT courses through credential assessment. Contact advising@nullcecil.edu for more information.

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For information about course fees, class times, and location, please visit the Continuing Education and Workforce Development Non-Credit Course Schedule.