Paramedic Certificate Program
ParamedicThe Department’s Paramedic certificate program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoEMSP).
CoAEMSP
4101 W. Green Oaks Blvd.
Suite 305-599
Arlington, TX 76016
(817) 330-0080
Criteria for general admission of paramedic students to the University are the same as those for all students. Please consult with the University’s admission’s office for more information about admission policies and procedures at (251) 460-6141, or you may visit their web site at www.southalabama.edu/admissions/contact.html.
CurriculumProgram of Study – 3 semesters
1st Semester (P-1)To progress throughout the program of study, a minimum final grade of 80% must be achieved in each course. Students will be allowed to repeat a course only one time. Students unable to satisfactorily complete the final comprehensive examination in EMS 297 will be required to repeat this course the following semester.
The State of Alabama mandates the National Registry of EMT’s examination at the EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic levels of practice. Only those students who have met all academic requirements of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Registry examination.
In accordance with State EMS regulations, each student must be a state licensed Advanced EMT prior to beginning his or her paramedic instruction. All other criteria for progression and completion will be listed in each course syllabus and will be mandatory.Students are responsible for payment of all tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are set by the University of South Alabama, upon approval of the Board of Trustees. For current information on tuition and fees, please refer to the University’s admission’s office or click here http://www.southalabama.edu/admissions/expenses.html
Students are responsible for all personal health care expenses, including those resulting from injury or illness, while engaged in learning experiences required by the department. Students will be required to show proof of health insurance or a signed waiver while in the program. Students must show proof of all required immunizations.
Students are responsible for all travel expenses to and from clinical and field internship sites. Students are responsible for the purchase of uniforms and required clinical equipment and supplies for their internships. Students must maintain current Healthcare Provider (CPR) certification throughout the program of study.University of South Alabama
Department of EMS Education
Attn: Charles Erwin, Program Director
2002 Old Bay Front Drive
Mobile, AL 36615
cerwin@usouthal.edu
(251) 431-6418
Paramedic Program Advisor
Rmorgan@usouthal.edu
Paramedic
Description of the ProfessionThe Paramedic’s scope of practice includes basic and advanced skills focused on the acute management and transportation of the broad range of patients who access the emergency medical system. This may occur at an emergency scene until transportation resources arrive, from an emergency scene to a health care facility, between health care facilities, or in other health care settings.
In some communities, Paramedics provide a large portion of the out-of-hospital care and represent the highest level of out-of-hospital care. In communities that use emergency medical dispatch systems, Paramedics may be part of a tiered response system. In all cases, Paramedics work alongside other EMS and health care professionals as an integral part of the emergency care team. The Paramedic’s scope of practice includes invasive and pharmacological interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with acute out-of-hospital medical and traumatic emergencies.
Emergency care is based on an advanced assessment and the formulation of a field impression.
The Paramedic provides care designed to minimize secondary injury and provide comfort to the patient and family while transporting the patient to an appropriate health care facility. The Paramedic has knowledge, skills, and abilities developed by appropriate formal education and training. The Paramedic has the knowledge associated with, and is expected to be competent in, all of the skills of the EMR, EMT, and AEMT. The major difference between the Paramedic and the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician is the ability to perform a broader range of advanced skills. These skills carry a greater risk for the patient if improperly or inappropriately performed, are more difficult to attain and maintain competency in, and require significant background knowledge in basic and applied sciences.
The Paramedic is the minimum licensure level for patients requiring the full range of advanced out-of-hospital care. The scope of practice is limited to advanced skills that are effective and can be performed safely in an out-of-hospital setting with medical oversight.
The Paramedic transports all emergency patients to an appropriate medical facility. The Paramedic serves as part of an EMS response system, ensuring a progressive increase in the level of assessment and care. The Paramedic may make destination decisions in collaboration with medical oversight. The principal disposition of the patient encounter will result in the direct delivery of the patient to an acute care facility.
In addition to emergency response, Paramedics often perform medical transport services of patients requiring care within their scope of practice.
Psychomotor SkillsThe following are the minimum psychomotor skills of the Paramedic:
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