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2016-2017 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paramedic, Public Administration Concentration, AAS

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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.

For more information about the Paramedic program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/health/paramedic.

Location: Ankeny

Students start Fall semester.

Program Entry Requirements

  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Attend any required information/registration session.
  3. Submit a copy of current State of Iowa EMT-Basic, Iowa EMT-Intermediate/85 or Iowa EMT-Paramedic certification (I/99). All students must have an Iowa EMT-B or EMT-I certification.
  4. 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.
  5. Obtain a minimum score of 81 in Reading on the COMPASS test OR a minimum ACT Reading score of 19.
  6. Obtain a minimum score of 46 on ALEKS math placement test OR a minimum ACT math score of 19 OR obtain a grade of “C” or better in MAT 073  or equivalent.
  7. Obtain a minimum score of 70 in English on the COMPASS test OR a minimum ACT English score of 19 OR a grade of “C” or better in ENG 061  or equivalent.
  8. Submit evidence of a grade of “C” or better in one year 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 Concentration or the Public Administration Concentration and take those courses listed for Semesters 5 and 6.

Required Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Note:

Before beginning Semester 5: Choose Clinical Concentration, Fire Science Concentration or Public Administration Concentration

Requirements for the Public Administration Concentration

Semester 5

Required Course(s)

Option 1 - Select 1 Course

Option 3 - Select 1 Course

Semester 6

Required Course(s)

Option 5 - Select 1 Course

Total Credits Required for the Paramedic AAS Degree - Public Administration Concentration - 80

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$147.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

  Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5 Semester 6
Books (approximate) 300 100 100 300 300 200
Uniforms 150          
Physical Exam (approx.) 80          
Immunizations (may be covered by insurance) and Background Check 100          
Scheduling Software 100          
EMS Testing Software 100          

Approximate total for the program: $13,590*

* 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 Program or Career Choice?

  • 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.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in employment, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and marital status), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and genetic information. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. 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 Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. For information about the ADA, the Section 504/ADA Coordinator may be contacted at 515-964-6857.  For Title IX questions and concerns contact 515-964-6850. (2016)

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