Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic
The Degrees
Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Certificate Program
The Outlook
EMT Paramedics provide a vital service to our community, giving immediate care in emergency situations and transporting the sick or injured to medical facilities. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a publication developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities for qualified professionals are forecast to grow at a rate that is faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016.
The demand for full-time EMTs and paramedics to replace volunteers, as well as the aging of a large segment of the population (baby boomers) will further influence the need for EMTs. Employment opportunities will be best for those who complete advance certification, such as FLCC’s EMT-Paramedic program, as clients and patients demand higher levels of care before arriving at the hospital. Graduates of our program will be prepared for positions with commercial or independent ambulance services; municipal fire, police, or rescue squads; and hospitals.
The Program
Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
The Associate in Applied Science in EMT-Paramedic prepares students for the careers in the emergency medical field. Students should already be certified as New York State Emergency Medical Technicians at the Basic level. The Associate’s degree builds on the courses offered in the Certificate program and is offered to broaden the student’s knowledge of the field in paramedicine. The program includes additional coursework in oral and written communication, science, math, and psychology. Students will gain a greater educational background to integrate theory and practice. As a pre-hospital care provider, paramedics must learn to adapt to the ever changing trends in health care and technology. This associate’s degree will provide students education in the current thinking and practice in paramedicine and the associated sciences and communication skills necessary to be an effective successful paramedic.
As our population ages and individuals face increased medical concerns, the need for well-rounded knowledgeable paramedics will continue to grow. In Ontario County, health care and social services is the third largest job category, accounting for some 16% of total jobs. Four of the ten largest employers in Ontario County are hospitals. Graduates in the certificate in Paramedicine have been successful in acquiring paramedic positions with the ambulance corps in our local area. The addition of the degree will allow graduates the ability to move up the career ladder and fulfill the ever changing positions of management and statutory requirements set by municipalities, State and Federal governments.
The goals of the Associate in Applied Science in EMT-Paramedic are:
The associate in applied science (AAS) is designed to provide students with the knowledge and training necessary to pursue a career in Paramedicine.
The programmatic goals are
- To prepare students to enter the workforce as a competent entry level paramedic.
- To develop in students the 11 competencies identified by FLCC as learning outcomes of a liberal education (Writing, Problem Solving, Oral Communication, Ethics/Values, Reading, Citizenship, Mathematics, Global Concerns, Computer Literacy, Information Resources, Professional Competency)
- To develop in graduates a sense of personal values and ethics consistent with the practice of medicine and aid to the community
- To provide a solid background in the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a paramedic.
Certificate Program
FLCC's Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic certificate program is designed to provide students who are already certified as New York State Emergency Medical Technicians at the Basic level with advanced training opportunities and career growth. The 18-month program delivers instruction through lecture, lab experiences, clinical lessons, and field training.
The curriculum also prepares students to take the New York State Paramedic Certification exams and the National Registry of EMT-Paramedic exam, and to obtain American Heart Association certification in basic cardiac life support, advanced cardiac life support, and pediatric advanced life support.
Admission to the College is a prerequisite to enrolling in EMT-Paramedic certificate program. For more information about applying for admission or to request an application, contact the Admissions Office at (585)394-3500, ext. 7278. For more information about EMS courses and the EMT-Paramedic certificate program, contact the Finger Lakes Regional Emergency Medical Service Council at (315)789-0108 or visit www.flremsc.org.
The Experience
FLCC's intensive program gives students an opportunity to learn in the classroom and in the field. Students are required to complete 372 hours of in-hospital clinical field experience in emergency departments, operating rooms, intensive care units, psychiatric treatment units, labor/delivery rooms, and other specialized care units. They are also required to complete a 100 to 200-hour field internship with area advanced life support ambulance services.
The curriculum and objectives of each course follow the USDOT paramedic course outline. Classes will be held through the College in affiliation with the Finger Lakes Regional EMS Council located at the Ontario County Safety Training Facility as well as other clinical locations throughout the area.
The Graduates
Graduates from this program will be prepared to accept positions as EMT-Paramedics. They will also be prepared to take the New York State Paramedic Certification exams, the National Registry of EMT-Paramedic exam, and to obtain American Heart Association certification in basic cardiac life support, advanced cardiac life support, and pediatric advanced life support.
Earnings for EMTs and paramedics depend largely on employment setting, geographic location, training, and experience. The most recent Occupational Outlook Handbook reports the median annual earnings as $27,070. Additionally, demand remains for part-time volunteers especially in rural or smaller metropolitan areas.
The Faculty
All adjunct faculty in the program are certified instructors by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. All are successful professionals bringing extensive experience in the field of emergency medical services. Several have received their educational training from other paramedic programs within New York State, California, and military medical training. Our current paramedic director has over twenty two years of military training, along with over twenty five years of civilian EMS training.
