Program Description

Paramedics are healthcare professionals who possess special knowledge and advanced skills in pre-hospital emergency medicine. They are the eyes, ears, and hands of the physician at the hospital, and as such, they render basic and advanced life support to patients at the scene of their injuries or illness and continue this while transporting these patients to the hospital. At all times, Paramedics are in radio contact with the physician at the hospital. Paramedics are part of the rapidly expanding branch of the health care profession known as EMS (Emergency Medical Services).

 

Paramedic training is a combination of classroom instruction (lectures and hands-on practical skills) and numerous areas of clinical experience. Actual classroom time is approximately 700 clock hours with an additional 600-800 clock hours of clinical experience. Both day and night sections are offered every fall semester. Classes meet two days/nights per week. Occasional mandatory days will occur throughout the three semester (12 month) course of instruction. Attendance is extremely important. Classroom absences are strongly discouraged and clinical absences are very limited regardless of the reason. Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry/ State of Tennessee Paramedic written and practical examinations.

 

Students who complete the Paramedic Training program may receive 25 hours of Advanced Placement credit hours toward the completion of an Associate of Applied Science degree in either Management with a Health Services concentration or Fire Science Technology with an Emergency Medical Care concentration (EMC).

 

Accreditation

The Paramedic Program at Chattanooga State is approved by the Committee of Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession (CoAEMSP). The ACC Standards are established by the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Cardiology Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions - CoAEMSP, 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244. (817)283-9403.

 

Admission Procedure

1.   Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and possess a high school diploma or a GED.

2.   Applicants must be licensed as an AEMT or EMT-IV or eligible for licensure in the state of Tennessee.

3.   All applicants MUST attend an information session prior to applying to the Paramedic program.

4.   Complete the Chattanooga State Admission Application process

5.   Take all learning support classes (if applicable)

6.   Submit Paramedic Program application materials by May 31st. NOTE: Review the Paramedic Admission Checklist to successfully complete the process.

*        Copy of high school transcripts or GED scores

*        Copy of all college transcript with the exception of Chattanooga State transcripts

*        Copy of AEMT or EMT-IV License

*        Entrance eligibility testing required:

o   EMT written test (must score 75% or higher)

o   PSB Psychological Profile and Healthcare Vocational Aptitude Examination

o   Panel Interview

 

Students will be selected for the program based on the EMT written exam and eligibility testing scores.

Note: The number of years of work experience as an EMT is also considered.

 

Note: To receive a program application, information session dates, transcript forms, etc. go to the N&AH website, www.chattanoogastate.edu/nursing-allied-health/.