Program Overview

Paramedic, Certificate of Proficiency (MEDX)

Program Description

The Paramedic, Certificate of Proficiency is designed for individuals seeking careers as paramedics. Paramedic careers include 9-1-1 emergency response, inter-facility and critical care transport via ground and aero-medical vehicles. The primary focus of the program is to provide the education, skills, and clinical experiences to prepare the entry-level paramedic for employment. The National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards: Paramedic Instructional Guidelines were used in developing the competencies and course content.

Degree Awarded

Certificate

Division

Workforce and Economic Development

Academic Plan Outcomes

• Effective: Fall 2021
• A certificate will be awarded upon completion of the program with a 2.0 GPA and a “C” or better in all program courses.

Special Requirements

• A Certificate of Proficiency will be awarded upon completion of the Paramedic program to students who maintain a 2.0 GPA or better and earn a “C” or better in all EMTP classes.
• Students who do not maintain a “C” or better in all EMTP courses, in accordance with the program retest policy, will be dismissed from the program and must reapply to the program in a subsequent year.
• Students will be allowed a total of one (1) retest for each written or practical final exam.
• A student is permitted to retest a total of three (3) retests of written or practical final examinations throughout the entire paramedic program.
• Failure to pass a 4th retest examination (written or practical) will result in dismissal from the Paramedic Program.
• Students will be allowed one (1) retest for the Program Summative Exam.
• There will be no opportunity to retest a quiz, group assignment, clinical assignment, or research paper.

Required Documentation

• Submit clear Criminal Background checks.
• Students living in Pennsylvania are required to submit a PA State Police background check as well as a FBI background check.
• Students living outside Pennsylvania are required to submit a PA State Police background check, a FBI background check, and a criminal background check from their state of residence.
• If the student has a prior criminal history, he/she will be required to petition to the PA Bureau of EMS and be approved for admissions prior to acceptance into the Paramedic program.
• Students with a prior criminal history are encouraged to contact their Regional EMS office to determine their eligibility for state certification as a paramedic.
• Submit a clear Child Abuse background check.
• Successfully complete a physical examination, including drug testing, by the students’ physician using the physical form provided by DCCC.
• Submit verification of current medical health insurance, which must be maintained throughout the program.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be currently certified as a Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician (without restrictions or administrative actions) or have a reciprocity application in process for PA EMT certification. This certification must be maintained throughout the program.
• Provide verifiable documentation in the form of a letter from a chief officer from an EMS organization of 25 patient contacts as primary patient care leader, where the candidate made the overall medical decisions for patient treatment and transport destination. This document must be submitted with the admissions packet in the second week of February in the year the student is applying.
• Be currently certified as a CPR provider by one of the third-party accreditation bodies approved by the PA Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. This certification must be maintained throughout the program.

National Registry Exam

• Upon successful completion of the 40 credits of EMTP courses with a “C” or better, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry exam to become certified as a Paramedic.
• This national certification exam consists of twelve psychomotor (skills) stations as well as a computer-based cognitive exam.
• Completion of the certificate of proficiency does not guarantee the student a National Registry certification as a paramedic.

Dismissal

• Students may be dismissed from the program for violation of patient safety, confidentiality, or behavior incompatible with acceptable standards pending outcome of the appeal process.
• Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. If a student is absent for more than 24 hours in the entire program, they will be dismissed from the program. Students wishing to re-enter the program must re-apply.
• Students who are accepted into the Paramedic, Certificate of Proficiency program are required to immediately divulge any misdemeanor or felony convictions that may occur while in the program to the Director of Emergency Services Education. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program in accordance with the Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services policies. In addition, upon review by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, the student may be dismissed from the program and denied paramedic certification.

Career

Course Spotlight

• EMTP 100 Introduction and Patient Assessment gives an overview of emergency patient care. Topics include priorities in patient care, medical and legal ethics, and recognition and assessment of life-threatening conditions.

Program Outcomes

• According to CAAHEP accreditation guidelines for paramedic programs, the three-year average of outcomes must be posted.
• Class of 2017:
  • National Registry Written average: 75 percent
  • Practical examinations: 100 percent
  • Retention: 66.7 percent due to two students being dismissed for academic dishonesty
  • Positive placement at the completion of testing is now 100 percent
• Class of 2018:
  • National Registry written Pass Rate is 90.9%
  • Retention rate is 76.5%
  • Positive placement rate is 76.9% due to 2 students choosing to not pursue paramedic as a career after graduation and 1 student not successfully completing testing as of the time of the submission of the annual report. All CoAEMSP thresholds have been exceeded.
• Class of 2019:
  • National Registry written Pass Rate is 94.7%
  • Retention rate is 65.5% (changes to pre-requisites have been submitted to curriculum review committee to increase the retention rate for future classes)
  • Positive placement rate is 94.7% (1 student is still in the testing process as of the time of submission of the annual report)
• Class of 2020:
  • National Registry written Pass Rate is 80%
  • Retention rate is 58.8% (changes to pre-requisites have been submitted to curriculum review committee to increase the retention rate for future classes, process delayed due to pandemic; some students did not do well with the online modality that was required as a result of Covid-19 protocols)
  • Positive placement rate is 100%
• Class of 2021:
  • National Registry Written average: 94.1 percent
  • Retention: 81.8 percent
  • Positive placement at the completion of testing 88.9 percent. One student opted not to take the NREMT exam upon completion of the cohort.
• Class of 2022:
  • National Registry Written Pass rate average: 75 percent
  • Retention Rate: 89.9 percent
  • Positive Placement at the completion of testing: 100 percent
• Class of 2023:
  • National Registry Exam Pass Rate: 75%
  • Retention Rate: 70.6%
  • Job Placement Rate: 100%

Accreditation

• The Delaware County Community College Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (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 25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158 Clearwater, FL
• To contact CoAEMSP: 8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312 Rowlett, TX FAX