Admission Requirements
Education Requirements

Demonstrate the stated level of achievement in one of the following areas:

• Earn a high school or college cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Earn a GED score of 500 or higher.
• Earn an ACT composite score of 18 or higher.

Provide or take a TOEFL test and achieve a passing score. 

Interview Requirement

Once the application and transcripts are received and it is determined the applicant meets the admission/academic requirements an interview will be scheduled with the Emergency Medical Services Chair.

Department of Public Health Training Program Requirements

A. Iowa Code Section 641-131.2 (147A) Emergency medical care providers - requirements for enrolling in training programs. To be enrolled in an EMS training program course leading to certification by the Department of Public Health, an applicant shall:

1. Be at least 17 years of age at the time of enrollment.
2. Have a high school diploma or its equivalent if enrolling in an EMT-I, EMT-P, or PS course.
3. Be able to speak, write, and read English.
4. Hold a current certification in American Heart Association CPR for the Health Care Provider (including adult, infant, child, 1- and 2-man, AED)
5. Be currently certified, as a minimum, as an EMT- B, if enrolling in EMT-I, EMT-P, PS course. If currently certified in another state as EMT-B, the applicant must submit an endorsement application to the department within two-weeks of the course start date. 

B. Iowa Code Section 641-131.4(147A) Emergency medical care providers - certification, renewal standards, procedures, continuing education, and fees. 

 I. 131.4 (1) Student application and candidate examination.
                 1. Applicants shall complete the EMS Student Registration at the beginning of the course. EMS Student Registration shall be completed via the bureau of the EMS Web site at www.idph.state.ia.us/ems.
                 2. EMS Student Registration shall be completed within 14 days after the course start date. 

Required Background Check and Medical Forms 

• Complete Background Check forms (Iowa Health Care Facility (135) Record Check, Request for Child Abuse Information and Request for Dependent Adult Abuse Registry Information)
• NA/Nursing Clinical Standards signed by BOTH applicant and appropriate healthcare provider within the last 12 months.
• Medical History/Health Update signed by the applicant.
• Medical Examination/Physical completed and signed by an appropriate healthcare provider within the last 12 months.
• Completed Required Immunizations signed by an appropriate healthcare provider. 1) Complete and submit documentation of a two-step tuberculin skin test screening. Full TB process must have been completed within 1 year. 2) Official documentation showing student has received or is currently in the process of receiving the 3-dose Hepatitis B series vaccine series. 3) MMR (2 doses), Chicken Pox immunity and current Tetanus booster. The College may, at it’s discretion, also require proof of seasonal flu vaccination prior to participation in courses that include a clinical rotation.

Length of Program

The Paramedic (PM) program is held over the course of five-semesters. The PM program is offered Spring 2011 only. Our certificate program includes classroom instruction, practice in skills lab, and clinical experience in a variety of hospital, clinic, and ambulance service-based care settings. Students receive the academic and clinical experiences needed to become a caring, ethical and competent health care worker effective in high stress situations. We will prepare students for patient care, leadership, and administrative roles.

Clinical Work Experience

Students will experience direct patient contact during clinical experience (called practicums) at Mercy Medical Center. Students will also work at Mercy affiliate locations and at many other leading health care organizations in central Iowa to gain hands-on learning throughout your course of study. Our students perform during clinical rotations in emergency departments, surgery, intensive care units, obstetrical units and pediatric intensive care units. Field internships are provided for the student through local EMS departments and paramedic-level EMS crews.

Expected Level of Income

In Des Moines, Iowa, the pay rate for a paramedic varies from $13 to $17 per hour ($27,040 to $35,360 annually).

Curriculum Plan for LEP Paramedic

The certificate program will extend and modify the sequence of the original curriculum plans in order to allow the single LEP cohort of students to maintain some employment while enrolled in the program.

It is noted on the curriculum plan when course content will require daytime class attendance in order to give admitted students an opportunity to make alternate work arrangements. These daytime course sessions are necessary to meet national accreditation standards in preparation for licensure examinations at the end of the academic program.

5-Semester Paramedic Program Curriculum Plan (Spring 2011 Start Only)
 

Course #	Course	SUR Hrs.	LAS Hrs.	Total Hours
SEMESTER I (SPRING 2011)
EMS 110	Paramedic Practice I*	4
EMS 111	Paramedic Practice II*	3
EMS 112	Skills Laboratory I	2
	TOTAL	9		9
SEMESTER II (SUMMER 2011)
EMS 113	Clinical I	2
EMS 114	Emergency Medical Services Field Practicum I	1
EMS 130	Medical Emergencies*	4
EMS 132	Skills Laboratory II	1
	TOTAL	8		8
SEMESTER III (FALL 2011)
EMS 131	Trauma Emergencies*	3
EMS 133	Clinical II	2
	TOTAL	5		5
SEMESTER IV (SPRING 2012)
EMS 160	Special Needs Patients*	3
EMS 134	Emergency Medical Services Field Practicum II	2
EMS 162	Transition to Emergency Medical Services Team Leader	2
	TOTAL	7		7
SEMESTER V (SUMMER 2012)
EMS 161	Systems II: Surgical Techniques/Procedures*	3
EMS 163	Clinical III	2
EMS 164	Emergency Medical Services Field Practicum III	2
	TOTAL	7		7
	PM Certificate Program Total	36		36

* Reflects courses where the content will require 10% added time commitment to ensure professional program content is mastered.

Eligibility Criteria | Financial Obligations | Program Offerings

 

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