PURPOSE
The Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic Career Studies Certificate (CSC) program prepares Paramedics competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- General college curricular admission
- Minimal certification: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider CPR credential from American Heart Association or American Red Cross
- Meet minimum age requirement* (at least 18 years of age at the time of enrollment) for EMS courses
Students younger than 18 are eligible to enroll EMS 100 , EMS 111 and EMS 120 if not already an EMT.
*In compliance with the Virginia State Board of Health and Virginia EMS regulations (12 VAC 5-31-1200 and 12 VAC 5-31-1460)
PROGRAM NOTES
- New Paramedic cohorts start every fall semester unless otherwise noted.
- Students must meet with an EMS program advisor and attend an information session for additional advising and enrollment into the Paramedic program
- Course enrollment permission is required
- Average length of this program is four semesters that will meet two- to three-days weekly with an anticipated fall graduation
- Clinical/Field rotations will be scheduled by the student outside of regular scheduled classes and labs
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
In addition to regular college tuition and fees, added expenses may be required. Costs are estimated and subject to change:
Emergency Medical Services - Paramedic CSC: Additional Costs
| Textbooks |
$370 |
| Castlebranch Registration, Compliance Tracker (Immunization Records, Background Check, and Drug Testing) |
$120 |
| EMCE & FISDAP Assessment Package |
$230 |
| Platinum Planner and EMS testing |
$200 |
| Uniforms (boots, belt, pants, Reynolds EMS Program Shirt) |
$100 |
| Testing fee: National Registry Paramedic Cognitive Examination (Written) |
$180 |
| Testing fee: Health Assessment Physical (required for Paramedic program only) |
Varies according to student’s doctor’s fees |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED PROGRAM FEES |
$1230 |
The program requires additional expenditures for the student’s health assessment, immunizations, urine drug screen, criminal background check, student liability, uniforms, supplies, and equipment, which are required for clinical/field assignments.
Visit Pay for College or contact the School of Health Professions, 804-523-5375, for assistance determining tuition costs. Course instructors will inform students required learning materials and textbooks. This information is also available on the college bookstore website.
FUNCTIONAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS
Students entering this program must have the ability to, but not limited to:
- Verbally communicate in person, via telephone and telecommunications using the English language
- Hear spoken information from co-workers, patients, physicians, and dispatchers, as well as sounds common to the emergency scene
- Lift, carry, and balance a minimum of 125 pounds equally distributed (250 pounds with assistance) to a height of 33 inches and a distance of 10 feet
- Read and comprehend written materials under stressful conditions
- Use a prescribed format to document patient information in writing or by entry into a computer program
- Demonstrate manual dexterity and fine motor skills, with ability to perform all tasks related to quality patient care in a safe manner
- Bend, stoop, crawl, and walk on even surfaces
- Meet minimum vision requirements to operate a motor vehicle within the state
► Discover a complete list of BLS and ALS Functional Job Descriptions
CLINICAL/FIELD CONTRACTS
Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate clinical/EMS agency, and these contracts differ in requirements for students. In general, contracts include the following information:
- Clinical/EMS agencies reserve the right to dismiss a student from their agency at any time
- Students must wear the proper uniform, conforming to program and health care agency standards.
- Students must follow published hospital and EMS policies
- Students must meet health, immunity, and immunization requirements specified by the affiliated clinical/EMS facility and/or agency
- Failure to comply with these requirements will prevent the student from meeting specific course learning outcomes required for program progression and completion
- Students release the facility, its agents, and its employees from any liability for any injury or death to self or damage to personal property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of the facility (Assessment of Risk document is signed and on file upon acceptance to the program)
- Students are financially responsible for any medical care required while in the clinical setting
- Students must have a current American Heart Association CPR BLS for Health Care Provider Certification or American Red Cross “BLS or Professional Rescuer,” to participate in the clinical facility
- Demonstration of professional behavior is expected at all clinical/EMS learning experiences; students will be directed to leave the learning environment if unacceptable behaviors are observed
- The healthcare agency may deny a student participation based on results of background and drug screen
- Students must submit complete Castlebranch criminal background check, drug screening and compliance tracker before beginning clinical/EMS rotation
- Students who do not meet published deadlines for submission forfeit enrollment and will not meet program requirements for certification testing eligibility
CONTINUATION IN THE PROGRAM
To continue in the program, students are required to:
- Achieve a course grade of at least B (80) in each EMS course
- Possess and maintain current EMT and CPR certification while enrolled in the program
- Meet the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) testing eligibility through successful completion of all program requirements
PROGRESSION THROUGH THE PROGRAM
Reynolds relies on affiliation agreements with community agencies to provide clinical education opportunities for their students. The rapid changes in healthcare law, standards of practice, technology, content of credentialing examinations, and availability of qualified faculty increasingly necessitate sudden changes in the program’s course content, policies, procedures, and course scheduling. As a result, Reynolds cannot guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog curriculum for this program. Circumstances beyond Reynolds’ control may necessitate postponement of course offerings or changes in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical assignments. Additionally, Reynolds may have to change the instructor for courses after instruction has started.
ACCREDITATION
The Reynolds paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, caahep.org, upon recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). The program meets the National EMS Education Standards and is approved and accredited by the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite, 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
Students must demonstrate computer literacy and proficiency as the program relies heavily on the use of electronic software, laptop and mobile device use for data collection and recording of competencies.
