2024-2025 Course Catalog
Paramedic, Fire Science Concentration, AAS
Location(s):
Ankeny
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 Return to: Ankeny Campus Programs
The Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic AAS degree prepares individuals to use critical thinking skills to provide medical treatment for patients with illness or injury-related disease. The Paramedic provides medical care for patients, performing skills in a variety of settings including pre-hospital, emergency departments, critical care units and cardiac catheter labs. Course content includes anatomy and physiology, pathology and the identification and initial diagnosis of disease and injury in a variety of populations. Paramedics use advanced medical and surgical skills that may include initiation of advanced airway management techniques, interpretation of electrocardiograms and advanced cardiac and trauma life support protocols. Instruction in rescue operations, crisis scene management and patient triage is included.
This program will prepare students to become a Paramedic. This program provides students with the necessary preparatory courses for seeking certification as a Nationally Registered Paramedic, which leads to certification as a Paramedic in the state of Iowa. National certification will require a passing score on a nationally recognized certification exam of Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (NREMT-P).
In addition, the AAS program provides an avenue of specialized study in one of three categories: public administration, fire science or advanced clinical knowledge. These three concentrations offer the Paramedic the ability to obtain a higher level of understanding in their respective areas. Each track requires the foundation courses to obtain an AAS degree and delves more deeply into the particular area of interest.
For those seeking management, the public administration concentration offers a broader understanding of management concepts and principles. While it does not provide the student a comprehensive education in management, it provides a flavor of what management is all about.
The clinical concentration enhances the Paramedic with an emphasis on the sciences. Anatomy and physiology, chemistry and physics afford students the basic requirements toward a variety of degrees. These students will have the basics to opt into a degree in nursing or other medical professions.
The fire science concentration prepares the Paramedic for application to the fire service. While it will not make the Paramedic a firefighter, it offers background knowledge in building construction, fire suppression and sprinkler systems. The student may opt to pursue a Fire Science degree at a later point or obtain their Firefighter I and Firefighter II training from the Fire Service Training Bureau.
This unique program holds the Paramedic as the foundation of the program, but provides the student with an opportunity to broaden their horizons and begin to experience the various facets of job opportunities awaiting them.
Criminal background checks will be completed on each student. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may delay or prevent students from participation in Paramedic education experiences. Students unable to participate in Paramedic education will be unable to complete the Paramedic program.
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Students start Fall semester
Program Entry Requirements
- Complete an application for admission.
- Attend any required information/registration session.
- Submit evidence of a grade of “C” or better in one year of high school biology OR a grade of “C” or better in DMACC Academic Achievement Center Biology I OR equivalent.
- Obtain a minimum score of 248 in Reading on the ACCUPLACER Next Gen test OR a minimum ACT Reading score of 19.
- Obtain a minimum score of 30 on ALEKS math placement test OR a minimum ACT math score of 19 OR obtain a grade of “C” or better in MAT 064 or equivalent.
- Obtain a minimum score of 254 in Writing on the ACCUPLACER Next Gen test OR a minimum ACT English score of 19 OR a grade of “C” or better in ENG 061 or equivalent.
- Submit evidence of a grade of “C” or better in one semester of high school chemistry OR a grade of “C” or better in DMACC Academic Achievement Center Chemistry I and II OR equivalent.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a Paramedic AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. A grade of “C” or better is required in all EMS courses. All Paramedic AAS degree students take courses listed in Semesters 1-4. Prior to Semester 5, students must choose the Clinical Concentration , Fire Science Technology, AAS or Public Administration Concentration and take those courses listed for Semesters 5 and 6. Total Credits Required for the Paramedic AAS Degree - Fire Science Concentration - 80
Fixed Costs
Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$193.00 per credit
The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.
Varied Costs
| Costs |
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 3 |
Semester 4 |
Semester 5 |
Semester 6 |
| Books (approximate) |
300 |
100 |
100 |
300 |
300 |
200 |
| Uniforms |
150 |
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| Physical Exam (approx.) |
80 |
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| Immunizations (may be covered by your insurance) and Background Check |
100 |
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| Scheduling Software |
100 |
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| EMS Testing Software |
100 |
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Approximate total for the program: $17,270**
**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.
What Kind of Work Will You Do?
- Respond to incidents such as automobile accidents, heart attacks, slips and falls, childbirth, gunshot wounds and any other emergencies that require immediate care.
- Assess the nature of a patient’s condition and follow emergency medical protocols and guidelines for treatment.
- Prepare and administer drugs orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal intubations and use monitors and other complex equipment.
- Transport patients to various kinds of medical facilities (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, etc.) at times, using special equipment such as backboards to immobilize patients.
- Report observations and actions to emergency department staff.
- Perform emergency medical care under the direction of a physician.
- After each run in an ambulance, replace used supplies and check equipment.
- Work in a variety of practice settings, including hospitals, private ambulance services, fire departments, educational institutions and medical supply companies.
What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?
- Must be adaptable to work both indoors and out, in all types of weather.
- Must be in good physical condition to perform considerable lifting, kneeling and bending.
- Must be adaptable to irregular periods of sleep that accompany irregular working hours, because emergency services function 24 hours a day.
- Must be able to communicate verbally with patients and their significant others in diverse cultures and age groups and document relevant information in writing.
- Must have the ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations while taking on the role of “leader.”
- Perform mathematical calculations/ratios and apply them in an expedient, accurate and practical manner.
- Must be independent, confident and able to work without much structure.
- Must be cognizant of all legal, ethical and moral obligations inherent within scope of practice.
- Must have good, stable reasoning ability to draw valid conclusions expediently, relevant to a patient’s condition.
What Else Should I Consider about this Degree program?
- General education and PS classes are scheduled on the College campus. Correlated clinical experience takes place in selected hospitals and ambulance transport services throughout the area. Courses are taught by individuals experienced in the field and are offered at a variety of times.
- You will be required to communicate easily and clearly with patients and coworkers
- You must accept responsibility for your actions.
- You will stand and walk most of the day.
- Working under pressure requires good physical health and emotional stability.
- You will be working with patients who may be contagious or have communicable diseases.
- You will have access to private health information and will need to maintain confidentiality of patient information.
- By the year 2017 (estimated), certification for the State of Iowa will require a Paramedic education. Credentialing in the state of Iowa may be obtained by passing the Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic exam.
- There are two parts for the NREMT-P. First, the paramedic student must pass the practical exam and then must pass the written exam. The Paramedic is required to obtain continuing education hours for recertification within two years of initial certification.
Program Competencies
- Determine the role of a Paramedic within an EMS system
- Explain the elements of paramedic education
- Determine the legal issues that impact decisions in the pre-hospital setting
- Differentiate types of paramedic responsibilities
- Evaluate Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
- List the different phases of drug activity
- Assess the importance of the respiratory tract in the human body
- Describe the importance of the cardiovascular system
- Outline the major structures of the cardiovascular system
- Evaluate the components of cardiac output and factors affecting venous return
- Evaluate the various EKG rhythms, segments and intervals
- Assess a history on a patient
- Perform a comprehensive physical exam on any patient
- Describe the incident and scope of traumatic injuries and death
- Create a treatment plan for the pediatric patient
- Formulate a treatment plan for the chronically ill child
- Apply standards to ensure safe and effective ground transport
- Examine characteristics of life and the study of biology
- Generate writing as an active process, using planning, drafting, revising, and editing
- Apply moral theories to contemporary moral problems. Discuss some of the following suggested moral problems:
- Distinguish key concepts, principles, and major perspectives in psychology: development, social, personality and health
- Compare and contrast the various political cultures and subcultures of state and local governments
- Prepare students to understand importance of fire behavior and dynamics
- Assess properties of matter and physics related to fire dynamics
- Evaluate the composition and structure of atoms and isotopes
- Define the need for cultural and behavioral change within the emergency services relating to safety, incorporating leadership, supervision, and accountability and personal responsibility
- Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, firefighting strategy and tactics
AY2022
Nondiscrimination Statement
Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.
Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Executive Campus Dean’s office, the Executive Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, dso@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, Title9@dmacc.edu. Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczysnki Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone 312/730-1560, fax 312/730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.
DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
Agriculture, Natural and Environmental Science
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Arts, Design, and Visual Communication
Business, Management, and Marketing
Education, Public, and Human Services
Health Science
Hospitality and Culinary
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics
Entrance requirements for specific programs can be found at Academic Pathway website.(2024)
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Return to: Ankeny Campus Programs
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