A.S. Degree in Paramedicine

Sierra College has partnered with the California State University Sacramento (CSUS) Paramedic Program to offer students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science degree while becoming a licensed Paramedic.  Paramedics are advanced prehospital  care providers of emergency medicine and  work for fire departments and private sector ambulance companies.  They receive training in anatomy and physiology, and emergency care skills in cardiology,respiratory, trauma, medical, pharmacology, and scene management.  Students will build on their EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) skills and learn additional advanced paramedic skills in airway management, EKG interpretation, medication administration, intravenous (IV) therapy, and management of patients with significant medical problems such as heart attacks, respiratory failure and trauma. The CSUS Paramedic Program is full-time and takes about 9-months to complete.  The program is (30 units) and divided into three phases of training: (1) Didactic: Lecture and skills training. (2)  Clinical Experience: Supervised in-hospital internship assigned to a clinical preceptor,  and (3) Field Internship: Supervised with an assigned paramedic preceptor on an active paramedic unit. 

All Paramedic courses are offered at the CSUS campus.  Enrollment is limited only to students that have been accepted into the CSUS Paramedic Program.  Sierra College enrollment  will take place at the start of the paramedic program.  Your CSUS professor and Sierra College Program Director will guide you through the process to concurrently enroll in these courses at CSUS and Sierra College.

Students interested in the paramedic program can attend a free information session that will include career opportunities in EMS, what the program offers, recommended pathways for preparation, program prerequisites and how to be a successful candidate.  Application process and financial aid opportunities will also be provided.  Information sessions will be scheduled throughout the year and dates and times will be available through the Sierra College counseling department and posted on the Sierra College Health Sciences website.

Expected student enrollment completions in 2020-2021 are about 8 -10 with a steady increase expected in the future. All of the classes (except major)  in the Health Science degree pattern are currently being offered. The program will begin aggressive outreach and marketing activities next fall and expect enrollment in the program to steadily trend upward.   The CSUS paramedic program will also heavily market this degree through their program and the  enrollment completer projections may actually be higher than predicted.  Currently the department awards an A.S.  Degree that articulates with   the CSUS Health Sciences Baccalaureate program.  An A.S. degree in  EMS and a certificate of Achievement are also proposed for the department.

Benefits

The addition of this degree will ensure that Health Sciences at Sierra College is a program of distinction.  This program would benefits students by providing not only completing a CTE pathway, but also a transfer pathway to some baccalaureate granting institutions.

Resources

No additional resources will be required beyond the college’s current resources.  This includes library and learning resources, facilities and equipment, and financial support.  All of the faculty members, teaching assistants, classroom, equipment, and instructional resources are provided by CSUS.  All instructors will meet or exceed the state minimum qualifications.

Other

This degree complies with the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 55201 and 58106. Additionally, there are no fees required beyond those identified in California Education Code, Section 76300.

This degree proposal is designed to complete the career pathway for EMT students  in the Sierra College Health Science and Fire Technology Public Safety programs.   Students that earn an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, complete the recommended course work, and  have earned EMT   work experience through Fire Academy Internships, or Emergency Medical Services (EMS), will qualify for  acceptance into the accelerated course of study in the CSU Sacramento Paramedic Education Program.  Paramedics are the highest level of prehospital EMS licensed professionals and work as advanced life support providers in fire departments and ambulance companies.  Paramedics can provide lifesaving treatment such as IV access and fluid resuscitation, medication administration, cardiac monitoring including 12-lead EKGs, and other advanced procedures and assessments. The CSUS Paramedic Education Program is approved through the California State EMS Authority , the Sacramento County EMS Agency  and  local Sierra Sacramento Valley EMS Agency.  Paramedic licensing meets the requirements of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the US Department of Transportation (USDOT).  The CSUS Paramedic  Education Program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP).

Upon completion of core components of the paramedic curriculum, the Health Science student should be able to:

• Explain the anatomy and physiology of major disease processes related to the Respiratory and Cardiovascular systems.

• Identify abnormal physical assessment findings and appropriate priority interventions for the Respiratory and Cardiovascular system disease processes.

• Integrate ALS theories to preform EMT-P skills related to pre-hospital care standards for Medical disorders and Traumatic emergencies across the adult life span.

• Exhibit competency in accessing, using, and evaluating patient monitoring care technologies.

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of concepts related to patient safety and quality healthcare

• Develop and implement leadership skills to promote scene and crew safety.

• Exhibit competency in accessing, using, and evaluating patient care technologies.

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of concepts related to patient safety and quality healthcare.

• Implement communication skills to promote team work and a strong student- preceptor mentoring relationship.

• Integrate ALS theories to perform skills for medical disorders/emergencies across the adult life span under the direct supervision of a preceptor nurse or paramedic.
  

• Exhibit competency in accessing, using, and evaluating patient care technologies.

• Exhibit leadership skills and scene management to promote optimal patient care and crew safety. 

   

  
  

   

Eligibility for paramedic training program in California is Pursuant to 22 CCR § 100158, students must be currently certified in California as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).  It is recommended (not required) that students have a minimum of 1 year of prehospital experience as an EMT prior to submitting an application to the CSUS Paramedic Program.

Enrollment is open to qualified applicants who submit the following admission requirements:

1. Current EMT or AEMT certification in California
2. Current AHA CPR certification for Health Care Provider
3. Submit Scores for TEAS exam (test for essential academic skill)
4. Complete application to the program
5. Attend mandatory interview and program orientation
6. Provide proof of required immunizations

Approximate time for completion of the AS degree in Paramedicine is  5-6 semesters. Completion time will be based on individual student preparation and number of units completed per semester prior to and after completion into the Paramedic program. 

Advisory: (minimum  preparation recommended)

HSCI 03    Medical Terminology                                     (3.0 units)    semester 1

HSCI 30   Anatomy and Pathophysiology for EMS       (3.0 units)    semester 1

HSCI 50    Introduction to Advanced Life Support       (3.5 units)    semester 1

BIOL 55   Human Anatomy and Physiology                   (4.0 units)   semester 1

Required Courses:  30 units

HSCI  53    Paramedic Advanced Life Support Part 1   (7.0 units)    semester 2 

HSCI  54   Paramedic Advanced Life Support Part 2    (8.0 units)    semester 2

HSCI  55   Paramedic Clinical Experience                     (5.0 units)    semester 3

HSCI  56   Paramedic Field Internship                          (10.0 units)   semester 3