Paramedic

The Paramedic Program at North Arkansas College offers a one-year technical certificate which educates Paramedics for advanced hospital care and transportation. This program meets and exceeds the current national DOT standards and curriculum. Graduates are eligible to take the State and National Registry Tests. Students train in area hospitals as well as on Arkansas paramedic level ambulances.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Graduates of the Paramedic Program will distinguish the nature and seriousness of the medical condition and extent of traumatic injuries using anatomy and physiology to assess and treat the patient within the scope of paramedic practice.

• Paramedic graduates will demonstrate proper handling of the patient to minimize discomfort, prevent further injury, and perform drug calculations and medication administration safely during patient care.

• Graduates will identify operational knowledge in such areas as communication, transportation, inventory and custody of accounts and laws related to Paramedic and healthcare practice.

• Graduates will exhibit cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills in out-of-hospital care dealing with environmental safety of the accident/trauma patient.

Admission

Prospective students must:

• be accepted as a student in the college
• be accepted into the Paramedic Program
• be 18 years of age
• have a high school diploma or GED certificate
• be in good health
• have a current Arkansas EMT certification or be in the testing phase
• be currently certified in AHA Health Care Provide CPR
• have completed ACT and/or the Accuplacer test and have scores sent to Northark
• have all immunization records on file
• have two written recommendations
• carry malpractice insurance which is obtained each semester when paying fees
• have a minimum grade of “C” in each prerequisite course and in each course required in the Paramedic Program
• Program Application Required: Yes (Application Link)

Program Cost

Tuition charges per semester hour as approved by the Northark Arkansas College Board of Trustees. Paramedic books, liability insurance, name badges, and uniforms will be an additional cost. This does not include certification in costs for ACLS, ITLS or PTLS, or PALS.

 

Students begin in the Pre-Allied Health Certificate of Proficiency (CP). Required courses (bold) from Pre-Allied Health CP to be completed prior to program entry include:

BIOL 1434 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology  NOTE: Fundamentals of A&P is the Minimum requirement for this program. A& P I and A&P II may substitute for this course, but require prereqs of: Fundamentals of Chemistry (or HS Chemistry with B or better in both semesters) or General Biology for majors, or Fundamentals of A & P; required for A&P I.

ALDH 1042 Medical Terminology  or higher

ALDH 1051 Cardiac Arrhythmia  

Students who complete the above Pre-Requisites and have a Certified EMT-B or have completed EMS 1105 Emergency Medical Technology & EMS 1102 Emergency Medical Technology Practicum are ready to apply to the Paramedic Program. After acceptance into the program, proof of immunizations and CPR Certification are required.  A criminal background check and drug screen will be arranged by the Program Director prior to being assigned to a clinical site.