Paramedic (Certificate)
Program Overview
This 39 credit-hour certificate program is to be offered in two semesters starting in the fall semester and concluding the following spring semester. The program is designed to expand the entry-level knowledge and skills initially acquired through Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I) education. Paramedic education includes classroom and lab instruction, plus hospital-based and field-based clinical experiences under the direct supervision of an approved preceptor. The Paramedic program exposes the students to a wide variety of patients, including observation and/or direct patient care in one of the EMS System hospitals and on ALS vehicles. Instructional content and design is based on the National EMS Education Standards (NHTSA, 2009) and is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of EMS and Highway Safety. Paramedics must complete the certificate program to be eligible for licensure, but are encouraged to complete the full AAS degree.
The Paramedic program course work, including academic and clinical components, is administered through the EMS Department at Northwest Community Healthcare. Hospital internships are completed at area-wide hospitals while the field internship is completed with a System affiliated Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider agency with which the student is employed or has a participation agreement. After completion of the program, candidates are eligible to take a Paramedic licensure exam.
Admission Requirements
Paramedic is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu.
Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program