Paramedic Program Overview

The Center for Emergency Medicine has been offering Paramedic education for over 30 years. During that time our program has undergone numerous changes from curriculum to faculty. One constant has remained the ability to educate competent entry level paramedics who are able to meet the needs of the ever changing field of prehospital care.

The faculty of the Center for Emergency Medicine consists of experienced educators, prehospital providers, registered nurses, and emergency physicians. We have developed the Center's Paramedic education program to equip students with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to develop as medical professionals. Throughout the program, students receive instruction in the art and science of emergency medicine through lecture, lab, and clinical education in the hospital and field. The curriculum involves students in these components of education concurrently. This enables paramedic students to master theory and practical application quickly.

All of the Center’s Paramedic Education programs are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to provide high quality emergency medical care. Paramedic Education at the Center has received national recognition for its innovative, comprehensive, and well-rounded approach to the education of professionals in out-of-hospital medicine. The Center for Emergency Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

DIPLOMA IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE

The Center for Emergency Medicine offers a paramedic diploma program designed to prepare paramedics for entry-level positions in urban, suburban, and rural Emergency Medical Services throughout the country. The Diploma Program is offered in a full-time and a part-time program. Both programs require that the student complete clinical and field rotations on non-class days.

The Center for Emergency Medicine was the first facility in the country to use the 1998 Paramedic: National Standard Curriculum. This is the most comprehensive curricula in the history of EMS and was developed to prepare advanced level providers for the new millennium. The Center’s course of study meets or exceeds all of the minimum national and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania training requirements. Upon graduation from the program, the students will be eligible take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians EMT-Paramedic Examination.

DIDACTIC AND PRACTICAL EDUCATION

The course of instruction consists of four phases of education: didactic, laboratory, clinical/field and summative field internship. The Center’s program consists of 480 hours of didactic education and laboratory education, and 640 hours of clinical education. The didactic material provides the foundation for understanding the purpose and objectives of clinical treatments. We believe that this is the distinction between the professional and the technician. This philosophy provides the rationale for the development of a comprehensive classroom curriculum.

Laboratory training provides a safe and effective opportunity for students to develop psychomotor skills and apply concepts to clinical decision-making. The Center maintains an extensive array of training manikins, models and equipment specifically for practice of the psychomotor skills of patient care. The Center also takes advantage of the latest technology for educational purposes. We maintain a state-of-the-art computer laboratory with the latest educational software and Internet access.

FULL-TIME PROGRAM – 38 WEEKS

The full-time program meets in the classrooms at the Center for Emergency Medicine in Oakland, PA. Class sessions are held on Monday and Wednesday during the afternoon and early evening. Practical laboratories meet on Monday or Wednesday morning. The didactic and practical portion of the program consists of eight lecture classes and four practical laboratories offered over two semesters. Students are expected to complete clinical and field rotations on non-class days.

FULL TIME PLAN OF STUDIES

OFF-SITE PROGRAM – 44 WEEKS

In an effort to meet the needs of the diverse population of EMS providers, the Center reestablished a off-site program in 2000. Although this program allows the student to complete the program over 44 weeks, it still requires a significant commitment from the student. The off-site program meets at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital for the didactic classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Students report to the Oakland campus for practical skills development on Wednesday evenings. Students will also meet one Saturday per month for 8 hours: 4 hours of didactic classes and 4 hours of practical skills development.  Students are expected to complete clinical and field rotations on non- class days.

OFF-SITE PLAN OF STUDIES