Paramedic Certificate or Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services

Our Program    How and When to Apply     Background Preparation    
Clinical Experience     Faculty     Job Outlook

Become a Paramedic. A paramedic provides the highest level of advanced pre-hospital care available, with critical skills to intervene in life-threatening emergencies. As a paramedic you will provide care and compassion as you help individuals and families through life-threatening situations. You will be part of the patient’s emergency team, and you’ll use cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, medication administration and many other advanced medical procedures.

Our Program

Our three-semester EMS program includes classroom instruction, practice in skills lab, and clinical experience in a variety of hospital, clinic, and ambulance service-based care settings. You'll receive the academic and clinical experiences needed to become a caring, ethical and competent health care worker effective in high stress situations. We will prepare you for patient care, leadership, and administrative roles. Upon completion of the paramedic certificate, you may take an additional 35 credit hours (including coursework in liberal arts and sciences) to earn an Associate of Science degree.

Our EMS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Once you successfully complete these programs, you have the opportunity to advance into the Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Completion or Health Care Administration degree programs at Mercy College.

How and When to Apply

Our paramedic program is conducted during fall, spring and summer semesters each year. Once you have completed that curriculum, you may be admitted into the Associate of Science degree coursework conducted during spring and fall semesters. We accept students to begin each fall semester. Your admission into this program is on a competitive basis, so early application is encouraged.

Background Preparation

You will need to complete an approved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) basic training program before applying for either our certificate or associate of science EMS programs. You will also need to complete high school (or college equivalent) algebra I, biology and English coursework. To be admitted into our Associate of Science EMS program you will need to provide proof of working toward certification/licensure as a national registered paramedic or Iowa paramedic specialist, or have completed the Mercy College Paramedic Certification Program.

Clinical Work Experience

You will experience direct patient contact during your clinical experience (called practicums) at Mercy Medical Center. You will also work at Mercy affiliate locations and at many other leading health care organizations in central Iowa to gain hands-on learning throughout your course of study. Our students perform during clinical rotations in emergency departments, surgery, intensive care units, obstetrical units and pediatric intensive care units. Field internships are provided for you through local EMS departments and paramedic-level EMS crews.

Faculty

Our EMS program includes a full-time program chair and several instructors as well as medical professionals in the clinical setting. As a student, you receive an exceptional level of personalized instruction.

Job Outlook

Once you’ve completed your paramedic certification or EMS degree, you’ll have the knowledge and exposure to become nationally certified and employable. EMS personnel can work in a variety of settings including 911 ambulance services, non-emergency transfer services, flight medicine, hospital emergency departments, fire departments, occupational safety departments and many other fields. Check out http://www.naemt.org/ for more information on EMS careers.