Campus Location: Peosta
Program Entry: Enrollment may occur during any term. Fall term is the start of the program course sequence.
Award: Associate of Applied Science degree
Description: Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedics recognize, assess and manage medical emergencies of acutely ill or injured individuals in prehospital and emergency care settings. EMT-Paramedics work principally in advanced life-support units and ambulance services under the supervision of a physician (often through radio communication). Paramedics work with other highly trained individuals to provide quality emergency care to critically ill and injured individuals. Some EMT-Paramedics are employed by community fire and/or police departments, private companies or may be community volunteers.
The goal of the Paramedic program is to prepare competent entry-level paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels. Paramedic curriculum includes classroom instruction, clinical instruction and field training.
The NICC Paramedic program meets all requirements as outlined in the United States Department of Transportation National EMS Education Standards for Emergency Medical Technicians. The NICC paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee of Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Program Admission: In addition to the College enrollment process , applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent, have a current State of Iowa EMT certification, and achieve a minimum ACCUPLACER CLASSIC® reading score of 70 or ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION® reading score of 250. ACT® or ACT Compass® scores are also acceptable.
Academic Requirements: Students enrolled in health occupations programs must complete all required coursework with a “C-” grade or above and earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average to graduate from the program.
Program Requirements: The College has contracted the services of CastleBranch to review and monitor background checks, health records, training requirements and drug testing. Students will submit the following documentation to their website prior to the designated date:
- Background check - includes a nationwide criminal history search and child, dependent adult and sex offender registry checks. Background checks will be evaluated per NICC’s Background Check policy and by the Iowa Bureau of EMS. Clinical/field participation is dependent on this evaluation.
- Health records - physical and immunizations (MMR, varicella, Hepatitis B, 2 step TB, Tdap and influenza).
- Training - CPR (American Heart Association Health Care Professional BLS or American Red Cross CPR for Healthcare Providers), mandatory reporter of child and dependent adult abuse, HIPAA, and bloodborne pathogens.
- Drug testing - prior to clinical/field participation, random, post incident/accident and suspicion. Students are required to be substance free throughout the program.
- Health insurance - students are required to maintain health insurance throughout the program.
- Iowa EMT certification
In addition to meeting the above listed requirements, students must maintain these requirements throughout the program. Failure to remain compliant will result in denial for clinical/field participation. Clinical/field participation is required for program completion.
Aptitudes required for clinical/field include good physical stamina, endurance, and body condition that would not be adversely affected by frequently having to walk, stand, lift, carry, and balance at times, in excess of 125 pounds. Motor coordination is necessary because over uneven terrain, the patient’s, the Paramedic’s, and other workers’ well-being must not be jeopardized.
Class Hours: Classes are scheduled on the Peosta Campus and occur in the evenings. In addition, several components of this course are held during weekend hours. Students will receive their weekend course schedules on the first day of each semester. Clinical/field shifts are scheduled at affiliate hospitals and emergency medical services within a 110-mile radius of the Peosta Campus. Students will participate in clinical/field experience during daytime, evening, night, and weekend shifts, and must provide their own transportation, meals, and lodging, if necessary.
Minimum Credits: 64
