Program Overview

Paramedic Program

The Paramedic Program at Weber State University (WSU) has a long history, dating back to the mid-1970s. It was the first paramedic program in Utah and one of the earliest in the nation. The program is committed to providing the highest quality prehospital emergency care education to students.

Development and History

The paramedic program was initially JRC accredited in 1984 and has since received CoAEMSP re-accreditation multiple times, with the most recent site visit in 2018 resulting in no citations and numerous positive comments. The program offers courses in EMT, Paramedic, and continuing education, including Tactical EMS and Critical Care Transport. An associate's degree in Paramedic Studies and a bachelor's degree in Emergency Healthcare Sciences are also available.

Program Details

• The program initially provided EMS education for fire and EMS agencies along the Wasatch Front, with 90% of students being agency-sponsored prior to 2002.
• Since 2002, the program has accepted non-agency students, with 80% of enrolled students being non-agency sponsored by 2005.
• Many students now pursue an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paramedic Studies or apply credits towards a Bachelor's degree in Integrated Studies, Health Administration Science, or Emergency Healthcare Sciences.
• The program requires the National Registry exam for all exiting students, which was pivotal in bringing the National Registry paramedic exam to Utah.
• The program boasts a 98-100% first-time pass rate on the National Registry cognitive exam for any rolling three-year period.

Distance Education

• In 2004, the EH department initiated a distance paramedic education program using interactive video streaming for didactic education and modified delivery techniques in skill lab, clinical, and field internship.
• The distance education program mirrors the curriculum and rigors of the on-campus day program and has produced hundreds of certificate-trained paramedics eligible to take the Utah Bureau of EMS certification and the National Registry examination.

Additional EMS Educational Offerings

• The program has developed additional courses, including PAR 3110 - Critical Care Transport, PAR 3120 - Tactical EMS, PAR 4110 - Topics in EMS Operations, and PAR 4120 - Topics in EMS Education.
• These courses are integral components for students seeking an EMS minor or bachelor's degree.

Faculty and Accreditation

• As of Academic Year 2016/17, all full-time faculty possess National Registry Certification and either Master's or Doctoral Degrees.
• The program received a generous grant in 2014, allowing for the construction of an indoor simulated Type III ambulance with high-fidelity video recording.

Program Goals and Mission

Paramedic Program Goals

The WSU paramedic program aims to "prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains," with or without exit points at the Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, and Advanced Intermediate levels.

EMS Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Emergency Healthcare is to provide competent entry-level EMS providers to serve the medical needs of the Intermountain West, utilizing the latest technology to deliver high-quality BLS and ALS programs.

EMS Program Vision Statement

The Emergency Healthcare department prepares EMS graduates to perform as healthcare professionals providing prehospital emergency care under the command of a physician, to sub-acute and acutely ill or injured patients.

Paramedic Program Core Values

• The program will provide a superior educational experience for students, exemplifying commitment to the community.
• The program believes students will achieve EMS excellence using critical thinking and assessment-based management processes.
• The program ensures instructional quality and student safety in all environments.
• The faculty desires that all students succeed to be safe and competent EMS providers.

BS Degree in Emergency Healthcare Sciences

The Utah Board of Regents approved the BS Degree in Emergency Healthcare Sciences in 2016, designed to provide a broad education that enhances those working in medical education, QA/QI, supervision, human resources, air medical services, public health, and mobile integrated healthcare.