Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic

Associate in Applied Science Degree

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This program is a partnership between MVCC, Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare EMS Center, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute. It is for individuals who are certified Emergency Medical Technicians. It provides the education and hands-on training necessary to function in and out of the hospital setting as an Emergency Paramedic. The paramedic course of study consists of a minimum of 722 hours of academic and clinical instruction provided by the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare EMS Center. MVCC equates this instruction and certification to 36 hours of transfer credit. The student is required to take an additional 37 credit hours of coursework at MVCC leading to the AAS degree.

This program supplements the basic EMT certificate by providing an opportunity for students to pursue their AAS degree and continue their studies at SUNY Poly for a bachelor’s degree in the Health Services Management curriculum. This program is ideal for firefighters, ambulance attendants, and law enforcement personnel. Individuals interested in this degree program who do not meet the prerequisites of Chemistry and Mathematics may take these courses at MVCC. The basic EMT course leading to certification can be obtained at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare EMS Center.

Goal 1 To prepare the students to communicate and interact effectively with instructors and peers

  • Students will communicate and interact effectively with instructors and peers through on-line and/or classroom interactions.

Goal 2 To prepare competent entry level EMS/Paramedics (in the cognitive (knowledge), and affective (behavior) learning domains

  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of appropriate legal and ethical behaviors.

Goal 3 To prepare students to pass a state certification examination

  • Graduates of the program will successfully pass a state certification examination.

Goal 4 To prepare graduates to successfully transfer to a four-year institution in a related field of study or to secure employment in the EMS/Paramedic field

  • Graduates of the program transfer with full junior level status to a four-year institution in a related field of study.
  • Graduates will be employed in the EMS/Paramedic field within 6 months of graduation.
  • Graduates are satisfied with the preparation provided by the College.

Goal 5 To prepare students to relate statistical information to the functions of an EMS/ Paramedic

  • Students will demonstrate the ability to display and interpret statistical information (MA110)

Goal 6 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

Total Credit Hours: 63

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This course covers the structure and function of the human organism and the regulatory processes that operate within a living system. It introduces general anatomical, physiological, and chemical organization, and includes the integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: High School Biology or its equivalent is recommended.

This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.

This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication.

Second Semester

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

This course introduces the field of healthcare for people interested in the field. Topics include an introduction to the healthcare delivery system, a brief historical overview of U.S. healthcare, healthcare settings and programs, members of the healthcare delivery team, roles of healthcare professionals, legal and professional ethics, healthcare organizations and agencies, medical record content, risk management, continuous quality improvement, epidemiology (morbidity and mortality), and interpersonal communication skills.

This course, which is a continuation of BI216 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, involves the study of structure, function, and regulation in the human organism. Topics include blood, peripheral nerves, the cardiovascular system, lymphatics, the respiratory system, the excretory system, the endocrine system, the reproductive systems, the digestive system, and metabolism. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: BI216 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1.

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

Third Semester

Paramedic students will participate in classroom lecture, skills lab(s), and clinical training and education that prepares them to provide medically competent and correct advanced life support treatment of the critically ill and injured, using good medical judgment. Prerequisite: Current NYS Emergency Medicine Technician-Basic Certification.

The paramedic student will participate in supervised field internship where continued instruction and on the job practical application of knowledge and skills attained in Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic 1 are practiced and evaluated under the guidance of Faxton-St. Luke’s EMS Education Program field preceptors. Candidates will also participate in various clinical rotations such as the emergency department, IV team, morgue, and pre-hospital experience. Corequisite: EM200 Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic 1.

Fourth Semester

Paramedic students will participate in classroom lecture, skills lab(s), and clinical training and education that prepares them to provide medically competent and correct advanced life support treatment of the critically ill and injured, using good medical judgment. This course includes ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS certifications.

Prerequisites: EM200 Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic 1 EM201 Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Clinical & Field Internship 1 Corequisite: EM203 Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Clinical & Field Internship 2.

The paramedic student will participate in supervised field internship where continued instruction and on the job practical application of knowledge and skills attained in Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic 1 and 2 and Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Clinical & Field Internship 1 are practiced and evaluated under the guidance of Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare EMS Education Program field preceptors. Candidates will also participate in various clinical rotations such as the emergency department, medical surgical intensive care, pediatrics, labor and delivery, psychiatric, and pre-hospital experience.

Prerequisites: EM200 Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic 1 and EM201 Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Clinical & Field Internship 1. Corequisite:EM202 Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic 2.

(a) PY101 Introduction to Psychology OR SO101 Introduction to Sociology