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Paramedic

Overview

Paramedicine is an allied health specialty whose practitioners respond to emergencies before a patient reaches a hospital, rendering basic and advanced medical treatment before and during transport to a medical facility. Classroom, clinical, and field internship training prepares paramedics to assess and treat a variety of medical emergencies. The knowledge, skills, and experience gained through the 11- to 12-month paramedic program allow students to meet the responsibilities outlined in the Department of Transportation's Emergency Medical Services Education Standards.

Minimum Expectation Goal

The minimum expectation goal of the ARC program is to prepare paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession of paramedicine.

Program Student Results/Outcomes and Positive Placement Data

Paramedic Program with Outcomes CAAHEP Accredited Paramedic Programs and CoAEMSP Letter of Review (LoR) Programs track and report outcome measures annually to the Committee on Accreditation for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). The most current CoAEMSP Annual Report was for the calendar year 2022. The most recent success rate for the National Registry of EMT Paramedic/State Cognitive exam was 100 %. The most recent positive placement rate for graduates was 100%. Positive placement is defined by the CoAEMSP as "employed full or part-time in a related field and/or continuing his/her education and/or serving in the military." Positive placement is measured at the completion of the program. The most recent retention rate was 87.5%.

The American River College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession (CoEMSP)

2024 Projected Program Costs

Students need to complete 46 college units (at $46 per unit) for a total of $2,116.

Associated fees include:

  • Required combined textbooks and FISDAP account: $850.
  • Required background/immunization tracking program: $150.

Immunization and background costs are extremely variable (based on student history) and add to the overall program cost. Occasionally local clinics provide low- or no-cost immunizations for students.

  • Required medical liability: $55 (paramedic)
  • Parking: $60 (waived currently)
  • Required uniforms: approximately $100
  • Approximate total of known costs: $3,271
  • Unknown and changing costs are personal protective gear for clinical and field internships

Paramedic Technical Standards | Paramedic Publications and Locations | Paramedic Policy and Procedures on Service Work

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.S. in Paramedic
  • Paramedic Certificate
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate