EMT Paramedic Certificate

Program Code:

Degree:

Certificate

This program may be completed at QCC at the Healthcare and Workforce Development Center in downtown Worcester.
This program will require students to travel to clinical sites and field sites within the Worcester County area.

Connections:

Credits from this certificate can be applied to the following associate degree(s):

Paramedic Technology

Program Contact Email:

emt@qcc.mass.edu

Additional Information

Goals

Program Goals:

The goal of the EMT Paramedic Certificate is to prepare competent entry-level emergency medical technician-paramedics to serve in career and volunteer positions throughout the Commonwealth and neighboring regions.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Comprehend, apply, and evaluate the didactic, lab, clinical, and field information relative to the graduate’s role as an entry-level paramedic, and to display behaviors consistent with the professional and employer expectations within the Commonwealth.
Demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of entry-level paramedic within the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to:
- Administer advanced life support care to sick and injured persons from pre-term through geriatric patients.
- Assess the nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures to be followed, or assess the need for additional assistance.
- Restore and stabilize heart rhythm on pulseless, non-breathing patients, using defibrillator, cardioversion, or external pacemaker.
- Monitor cardiac patients using electrocardiograph.
- Initiate intravenous fluids to administer medication, or to replace fluids to the body.
- Perform endotracheal intubation, or other advanced airway techniques, to maintain the patient’s airway and to ventilate the patient.
- Administer injections of medications.
- Record patient vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, skin color, texture and temperature, pupil response to light, capillary refill time, blood glucose reading, pulse oximetry and capnography.
- Extricate entrapped victims.
- Observe, record, and report any changes in patient condition to the physician.
- Operate and maintain control of the emergency response vehicle.
- Function in the role of team leader for additional personnel involved in any emergency scene.
- Communicate effectively to additional personnel at scene or to hospital personnel via radio/telephone systems.
At the completion of didactic, clinical and field practicum, the paramedic student is prepared to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Psychomotor and Computerized Examinations.

Classes

Curriculum:

Course Title	Course #	Semester Offered	Credits	Prerequisites
Semester 1 (Fall) Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: PC). Register for and successfully complete all courses to graduate in four semesters. Complete all MED courses each semester with grades of “C” or higher.
Introduction to Paramedicine	MED 110	F	4	Coreq: MED 120, MED 130
Pharmacology, Patient Assessment and Human Systems	MED 120	F	4	Coreq: MED 110, MED 130
Special Patient Populations for Paramedicine	MED 130	F	4	Coreq: MED 110, MED 120
		Total	12
Semester 2 (Spring) Meet with Academic Advisor to discuss associate degree (Program Code: EM); or create an account on the QCC job board to search for internships, co-ops and jobs.
Advanced Paramedicine	MED 150	S	4	MED 110, MED 120, MED 130, Coreq: MED 160, MED 170, MED 180, MED 190
Cardiology and Advanced Cardiac Life Support	MED 160	S	4	MED 110, MED 120, MED 130, Coreq: MED 150, MED 170, MED 180, MED 190
Trauma	MED 170	S	3	MED 110, MED 120, MED 130, Coreq: MED 150, MED 160, MED 180, MED 190
Neonatal and Pediatric Emergencies	MED 180	S	2	MED 110, MED 120, MED 130, Coreq: MED 150, MED 160, MED 170, MED 190
Topics In Paramedicine	MED 190	S	3	MED 110, MED 120, MED 130, Coreq: MED 150, MED 160, MED 170, MED 180
		Total	16
Semester 3 (Fall) Apply to associate degree (Program Code: EM); or if seeking employment, meet with Career Services for career readiness preparation and to learn more about QCC’s job board.
Clinical Internship for the Paramedic	MED 210	F	7	MED 150, MED 160, MED 170, MED 180, MED 190
		Total	7
Semester 4 (Spring) Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Field Internship for the Paramedic	MED 220	S	5	MED 210
		Total	5
Total Credits Required:			40

Elective Information

Outcomes

Program Outcomes:
Program outcomes are defined as performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the purposes of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. Program outcomes are measurable, consumer-oriented indexes designed to evaluate the degree to which the program is achieving its mission and goals. Examples include, but are not limited to, program completion rates, licensure/certification examination pass rates, and job placement rates.

Program Statistics:
Program Completion / Retention:

Expected Level of Achievement developed by QCC Paramedic Faculty (and reported to the Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions [CoAEMSP] accrediting body) are that 75% of students complete the program.
- 2021 graduation cohort: 80% have graduated from the Paramedic program

Paramedic Certification Passing Rate:

Expected Level of Achievement developed by QCC Paramedic Faculty (and reported to the Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions [CoAEMSP] accrediting body) are that 75% of test takers will successfully complete the National EMT-Paramedic Exam.
- 2021 graduation cohort: 100% have passed national exam

Graduates Obtaining Jobs:

Expected Level of Achievement developed by QCC Paramedic Faculty (and reported to the Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions [CoAEMSP] accrediting body) are that 75% of graduates seeking employment are employed within one year of graduation.
- 2021 graduation cohort: 100% of graduates have obtained employment

Cost & Requirements

Program Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.
Current EMT-B certification in good standing.
One year of EMT-B certification as verified by letter from employer or equivalent number of patient contacts.

Program Retention / Progression Requirements:
To be eligible to continue in the program, students must:

Achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all program courses designated by MED.
Maintain documentation of current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Level BLS/CPR Certification.
Maintain documentation of immunization currency and satisfactory health status.
Maintain documentation of annual TB testing.
Maintain documentation of health insurance.
Maintain an active Massachusetts OEMS certification for EMT, or National Registry of EMT’s registration throughout the duration of their program enrollment.
Be aware that they may be exposed to airborne and bloodborne pathogens. Airborne and Bloodborne Pathogens means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and normal atmospheric conditions that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, SARS, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), or other potentially serious infectious diseases. United States Department of Labor, OSHA, September 5, 2019 (www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030).

Program Readmission Requirements:
There is a one-time readmission policy for the program.

Readmission is not guaranteed and is always based upon space availability.
Students who did not earn a grade of “C” or higher in MED 110, MED 120, and MED 130 need to re-apply to the program through the Admissions Office. Students need to meet the current admission requirements. Students should contact the Program Coordinator as soon as they receive the notification of being placed on the waitlist (by April 15) to discuss readmission.
Students who did not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any other MED course should contact the Program Coordinator by April 15 to discuss readmission.
Students who have been dismissed or administratively withdrawn from a program within the School of Healthcare at Quinsigamond Community College for reasons of “clinically unsafe practice/behavior” or who violate the College’s Student Code of Conduct or Policy on Affirmative Action are not eligible for admission/readmission to any Healthcare program.

Program Graduation Requirements:
Students must satisfy all course and program requirements, including regulations related to attendance and conduct, in order to be eligible for graduation. In addition, all financial obligations to the College must be met.

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions [at] qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to use skills they already have towards a college degree or certificate. Work, life, volunteer and military experience may be translated into credit, allowing students to take fewer classes and earn their degree faster. CPL eliminates redundancies for students who have already earned credentials or mastered skills required for their program of study. Email experience [at] qcc.mass.edu for more information and eligibility.

CORI, SORI, Fingerprinting & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI), and National Background checks are required in the program, either annually or every semester. Fingerprinting and drug testing may be required. Fingerprinting and drug testing results must meet clinical requirements. An issue with CORI/SORI, National Background, fingerprinting and/or drug testing could prevent a student from participating in a clinical/field rotation, which could result in dismissal from the program.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

Cost for NREMT Paramedic Computerized Exam: $125.00. Psychomotor costs vary by site: approximately $180.00. Uniforms for clinical and field practicum vary per semester by student agreement. Estimated current cost: $200.00.
Additional cost applies to become certified as a Massachusetts paramedic, once nationally registered: $150.00.

Career

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.0904.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.

Career Exploration:

Students can take an online Career Assessment through Career Coach to determine their strengths, then browse through occupations compatible with their interests and assessment results. To access the online assessment and for more information about particular careers and related academic programs at QCC, visit www.QCC.edu/career-assessment.

The actual median salary and position may vary depending on the employee’s educational level and years of experience

Emergency Medicine Program

Welcome to the Emergency Medicine Program site at Quinsigamond Community College. All our programs are accredited by the Office of Emergency Medical Systems.

We offer Paramedic Technology Associate of Science Degrees.

We also offer the following certificate programs:

You can find out more information about our educational programs and faculty by contacting our program coordinator at emt [at] qcc.mass.edu

Paramedic Handbook

Features

We have outstanding, experienced faculty and involved medical director
Small classes in newly renovated laboratory and classrooms
Over 90% first-try pass rate on State certification exam
Financial aid is available
Full student access to all QCC facilities including:
- State-of-the-art library, tutoring services, computer labs and email accounts
- Counseling and advising
- A wide array of student and learning support services, including Student Accessibility Services

Our Faculty

Ricci Hall, Paramedic, RN, M.Ed.

Program Director
rhall [at] qcc.mass.edu

Mr. Hall has been in EMS for over 25 years. In that time, he has served as an EMT and Paramedic Instructor as well as a field paramedic for the Oxford Fire Department. In addition to teaching many EMS related courses such as ACLS, PALS, EPC, GEMS, AMLS, and PHTLS, Mr. Hall has been active in teaching EMT courses for over 20 years. He joined QCC as the Program Director in January of 2021 and instructs courses in Special Populations, Trauma, and Neonatal/Pediatric. Mr. Hall is also a BLS Chief Examiner and an ALS Examiner for National Exams. Mr. Hall graduate from Clark University with a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s degree in urban education. He also has advanced degrees in history and educational administration as well as an associate’s degree in nursing.

Marc C. Restuccia, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Medical Director
RestuccM [at] ummhc.org
Dr. Restuccia is an attending physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director for UMass Life Flight. He trained in Emergency Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and in Internal Medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine.

Rich Nydam, EMT-P

Adjunct Instructor; Clinical & Field Coordinator, EMT-P program
rnydam [at] qcc.mass.edu

Bob Palmer, PA-C, NREMT-P

Adjunct Instructor
rpalmer [at] qcc.mass.edu
Specialty: Acute Care/Critical Care Medicine
Instructor Certifications: ACLS, PALS, ATLS
Employment: Boston MedFlight/Critical Care Transport

Karen Plant, EMT-B

Instructor Coordinator, EMT 101

The Quinsigamond Community College Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which can be contacted at: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs | 25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763 | 727.210.2350 | www.caahep.org. The Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic program was last granted continuing accreditation upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), which can be contacted at: Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions | 8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088 | 214.703.8445 | www.coaemsp.org.

Apply for Admission Request Information

Contact QCC Admissions at 508.854.4262 for more information.

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EMT Paramedic Certificate

Additional Information

Emergency Medicine Program

Our Faculty

Ricci Hall, Paramedic, RN, M.Ed.

Marc C. Restuccia, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Rich Nydam, EMT-P

Bob Palmer, PA-C, NREMT-P

Karen Plant, EMT-B

My QCC

Resources

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Quinsigamond Community College

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You are here

Locations

EMT Paramedic Certificate

Additional Information

Emergency Medicine Program

Our Faculty

Ricci Hall, Paramedic, RN, M.Ed.

Marc C. Restuccia, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Rich Nydam, EMT-P

Bob Palmer, PA-C, NREMT-P

Karen Plant, EMT-B

My QCC

Resources

Resources

Quinsigamond Community College