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Paramedic

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Paramedic (PMED) Courses

PMED 105 Prehospital Pharmacology

  • Units:1
  • Hours:18 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:MATH 32 or 42 with a grade of "C" or better AND Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides basic instruction in prehospital pharmacology and calculating medication dosages.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • identify specific anatomy and physiology pertinent to medication administration.
  • identify basic mathematical principles as they relate to drug dose calculations and administration.
  • calculate drug dosages accurately using commonly accepted formulas and devices.
  • identify drug classifications and their specific physiological effects.
  • list various routes for drug administration in the prehospital setting.
  • process drug orders using protocols.

PMED 106 Emergency Medical Technician Pre-hospital Practices and Internship

  • Units:6.5
  • Hours:36 hours LEC; 243 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:Current California State Emergency Medical Technician certification.
  • Corequisite:NURSE 320 or PMED 105
  • Enrollment Limitation:A background check, drug screening, proof of current immunizations and malpractice insurance are required. Current California State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification and Professional BLS CPR certification from the American Heart Association. Only AHA BLS CPR certification will be accepted.
  • Advisory:AH 311, BIOL 102, ENGRD 116, and MATH 32
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides expanded education in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) related topics, including assisting with Advanced Life Support (ALS) procedures as well as patient assessment and management training through patient simulation, clinical observation, and field experience. It can also serve as partial preparation for application to the American River College Paramedic Program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • utilize medical terminology necessary for therapeutic communications in pre-hospital care and with other healthcare providers.
  • demonstrate the consistent ability to perform basic life support assessment and patient management skills.
  • assist paramedics and other advanced life support providers during patient care.
  • identify medications commonly prescribed to patients encountered in pre-hospital care.
  • describe the roles and responsibilities of the various types of responders during patient resuscitation.
  • differentiate between acutely and chronically ill patients.
  • correlate medical history information, vital sign data, and subjective patient complaints with the appropriate differential diagnoses.

PMED 108 Emergency Medical Response

  • Units:3
  • Hours:45 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS). It provides the knowledge and skills needed to integrate the care provided through the EMS system. A certificate of completion is available upon successful completion of this course.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • describe the pathophysiology of human disease and trauma, given a patient scenario.
  • demonstrate life support skills for patients with specific medical and trauma airway conditions.
  • utilize effective communication techniques with patients, bystanders, and other emergency responders in the EMS setting.

PMED 110 Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care

  • Units:12
  • Hours:144 hours LEC; 216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:BIOL 102 and PMED 105 with grades of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Paramedic Program
  • Advisory:AH 311, HCD 114, MATH 32, and MATH 42; Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course covers the didactic material and the related skills necessary to establish a foundation for subsequent prehospital patient assessment and management. Topics include preparatory, human body and human systems, pharmacology, patient assessment, airway management, trauma management, and respiratory and cardiac emergencies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • identify the roles and responsibilities of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel within the allied health system.
  • evaluate and interpret pathophysiological findings in prehospital patients.
  • appraise and identify patient criticality.
  • integrate legal and ethical concepts into patient management experiences.
  • identify principles of prehospital pharmacology including medication administration.
  • integrate prehospital emergency medications into patient care and management.
  • recognize, prioritize, and manage critical traumatic injuries.
  • properly diagnosis and manage patients with cardiac and respiratory chief complaints.
  • apply critical thinking and clinical decision making concepts during prehospital patient encounters.
  • integrate proper communication, documentation, and workplace safety methods during field practice.
  • recognize and apply local, state, and national treatment standards to sick or injured patients.
  • validate the importance of professionalism and continued medical education.

PMED 114 Preparatory

  • Units:11
  • Hours:168 hours LEC; 108 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:EMT 110 and 111 with grades of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Paramedic Program
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course covers didactic materials and related skills considered foundational to the practice of paramedicine. The course topics include: Emergency Medical System (EMS), the safety/well-being of the paramedic, medical legal/ethical, anatomical and physiology, pathophysiology of all human systems, medical terminology, oral communications, and life span development. Topics include principles of public health and epidemiology including public health emergencies, health promotion and illness and injury prevention. This course also integrates knowledge of pharmacology to formulate a treatment plan intended to mitigate emergencies and improve the overall health of the patient.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • integrate knowledge of EMS systems, the safety/well-being of the paramedic, and medical/legal concepts.
  • integrate knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of all human systems, and medical terminology into written and oral communications with other health care professionals.
  • apply knowledge of pathophysiology of major human systems, and life span development.
  • utilize knowledge of principles of public health and epidemiology including public health emergencies, health promotion and illness and injury prevention.
  • integrate knowledge of pharmacology to formulate a treatment plan intended to mitigate emergencies and improve the overall health of the patient.
  • discuss ethical issues intended to improve the health of EMS personnel, patients, and the community.

PMED 115 Clinical Behavior, Patient Assessment, and Airway Management

  • Units:5
  • Hours:80 hours LEC; 30 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:PMED 114 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Paramedic Program
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course covers the didactic material and the related skills necessary to establish a foundation for subsequent prehospital clinical judgment, patient assessment and management. It also focuses on airway management, respiration and ventilation. Primary and secondary assessments, therapeutic communication, cultural humility, professionalism, decision making, and team dynamics will be covered.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • integrate scene and patient assessment findings with knowledge of epidemiology and pathophysiology to form a field impression. This includes developing a list of differential diagnoses through clinical reasoning to modify the assessment and formulate a treatment plan.
  • perform a comprehensive history and physical examination to identify factors affecting the health and health needs of a patient.
  • relate assessment findings to underlying pathological and physiological changes in the patient’s condition.
  • formulate a field diagnosis based on an analysis of comprehensive assessment findings, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and epidemiology.
  • effectively communicate in a non-discriminatory manner that addresses inherent or unconscious bias, cultural awareness, and sensitivity in order to improve patient outcome.
  • demonstrate professional affective domain behaviors including but not limited to: integrity, empathy/compassion, self-motivation, appearance/personal hygiene, communications, time management, teamwork/diplomacy, respect, patient advocacy, careful delivery of service, and lifelong learning.
  • perform interventions as part of a treatment plan intended to provide symptom relief and improve the overall health of the patient.
  • evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and modify treatment plans accordingly.
  • evaluate decision-making strategy for cognitive errors to enhance future critical thinking skills (metacognition).
  • serve as a team member, while gaining the experience necessary to function as the team leader.

PMED 120 Clinical Internship

  • Units:7
  • Hours:54 hours LEC; 216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:PMED 110 with a grade of "B" or better.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Current Emergency Medical Technician certification. Current student enrolled in the Paramedic program.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides an opportunity to apply the cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills gained in PMED 110 to patient care in a hospital or other approved clinical setting. This course provides for increasing assessment techniques and advanced prehospital skills. Field trips may be required. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 216 hours which may include direct patient care in a clinical setting.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate use of verbal/non-verbal skills in clinical situations
  • perform, complete, and organize patient assessment for both trauma and medical patients
  • intervene and initiate appropriate action at an emergency site
  • perform a physical exam relevant to the patient's complaints
  • identify and report all pertinent information in a systematic, concise manner to the preceptor and or the receiving facility staff
  • recall and perform all patient safety considerations before, during, and after patient management
  • demonstrate the integration of appropriate affective skills during high-fidelity patient simulations
  • perform and manage team leadership responsibilities during all phases of a clinical patient encounter
  • analyze pathophysiological concerns while managing clinical patients
  • recognize pertinent pathophysiologies in complicated medical patient encounters
  • differentially diagnosis prehospital patients with common medical and traumatic complaints
  • recognize, develop, and apply appropriate treatment plans for special patient populations

PMED 121 Prehospital Medicine and Clinical Internship

  • Units:12.5
  • Hours:175 hours LEC; 168 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:PMED 115 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Paramedic Program
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course integrates assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a clinical impression and implement a treatment/disposition plan for a patient with a medical complaint. The course also includes a clinical internship with regional hospital partners.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • integrate assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a clinical impression.
  • formulate a treatment plan for patients with medical complaints including transport mode and destination decisions.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with abdominal and gastrointestinal disorders.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with cardiovascular emergencies.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with disorders of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with endocrine system disorders.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with genitourinary/renal emergencies.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with hematology disorders.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with immunology system disorders.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with infectious diseases.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with neurological emergencies.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with non-traumatic musculoskeletal disorders.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with psychiatric or behavioral emergencies.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with respiratory system disorders.
  • assess and manage the major and common diseases associated with toxicology emergencies.

PMED 125 Introduction to Paramedicine

  • Units:5.5
  • Hours:45 hours LEC; 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:BIOL 102, PMED 105, and PMED 106 with grades of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the paramedic program. Successful completion a background, drug screen, and health physical exam as well as provide proof of current American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR certification and immunizations prior to enrollment into the course. Students must maintain current EMT licensure at all times throughout the course.
  • Advisory:AH 311, ENGRD 116, HCD 114, and MATH 32
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course covers the didactic and psychomotor material necessary to establish a foundation for subsequent paramedic prehospital patient assessment and management. Topics include preparatory, human body and human systems, pharmacology, patient assessment, and airway management.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • define the paramedic roles and responsibilities within an EMS system, and how these roles and responsibilities differ from other levels of providers.
  • explain the importance of personal wellness in EMS.
  • define the role that ethics play in decision-making in the out-of-hospital environment.
  • apply the general concepts of pathophysiology for assessment and management of emergency patients.
  • describe the legal issues that impact decisions made in the out of hospital environment.
  • integrate pathophysiological principles of pharmacology and the assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement a pharmacologic management plan.
  • safely and precisely access the venous circulation and administer medications.
  • integrate the principles of therapeutic communication to effectively communicate with any patient while providing care.
  • establish and/or maintain an open airway, oxygenate, and ventilate a patient by mastering techniques in Bag Valve Mask, Supraglottic Airway and Endotracheal Intubation.
  • use the appropriate techniques to obtain a medical history from a patient.
  • explain the pathophysiological significance of physical exam findings.
  • integrate the principles of history taking and techniques of a physical exam to perform a patient assessment.
  • apply a process of clinical decision making to use the assessment findings to help form a field impression.
  • follow an accepted format for dissemination of patient information in verbal form.
  • effectively document the essential elements of patient assessment, care, and transport.

PMED 126 Paramedic Practices I

  • Units:7
  • Hours:54 hours LEC; 216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:PMED 125 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the paramedic program. Current EMT licensure must be maintained at all times throughout the course.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course covers the didactic and psychomotor material necessary to establish a foundation for emergency care for patients suffering from respiratory, cardiac, shock, and traumatic emergencies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • describe the knowledge and principles associated with the acute management of respiratory emergencies.
  • demonstrate the appropriate management of a patient suffering from a respiratory emergency.
  • describe the knowledge and principles associated with the acute management of cardiovascular emergencies including acute coronary syndrome and cardiac arrest.
  • demonstrate the appropriate management of a patient suffering from a cardiovascular emergency.
  • demonstrate the skills and ability to treat and manage an adult patient with acute coronary syndrome, or in cardiac arrest.
  • describe the knowledge and principles associated with the acute management of traumatic emergencies.
  • demonstrate the appropriate management of a trauma patient with complications affecting airway, breathing, circulation, hemorrhage, and shock.

PMED 127 Paramedic Practices II

  • Units:7
  • Hours:54 hours LEC; 216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:PMED 126 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the paramedic program. Current EMT licensure must be maintained at all times throughout the course.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course covers the didactic and psychomotor material necessary to establish a foundation for emergency care for patients suffering from medical, obstetric, pediatric and neonatal emergencies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • apply the knowledge and principles associated with the acute management of medical emergencies.
  • employ the knowledge and principles associated with the acute management of geriatric patients and patients with special challenges.
  • describe the knowledge and principles associated with the acute of obstetric patients and childbirth.
  • explain the knowledge and principles associated with the acute management of neonatal emergencies.
  • practice the skills and abilities to assess and manage medical emergencies.
  • demonstrate the skills and abilities to assess and manage geriatric emergencies and patients with special challenges.
  • show the skills and abilities to assess and manage pediatric emergencies.
  • demonstrate the skills and abilities to assess and manage obstetric and neonatal emergencies.

PMED 130 Prehospital Field Internship

  • Units:14
  • Hours:54 hours LEC; 600 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:PMED 120 with a grade of "B" or better.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Current EMT certification. Current student enrolled in the Paramedic program.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides paramedic students with hands-on prehospital experiences and is the final course in the series preparing for a California paramedic license. Under the direct supervision and evaluation of a licensed paramedic or a mobile intensive care nurse, interns complete a prehospital field experience.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate use of established treatment protocols and procedures in providing prehospital emergency care
  • apply minimum competency in evaluation and leadership of an emergency scene, extrication procedures, patient assessment, radio communications, and use of prehospital equipment and drugs
  • interpret scientific findings and their operational impact on prehospital emergency medicine
  • specify the legal and ethical responsibilities inherent in the emergency medical services (EMS) profession
  • implement competent treatment plans during high-fidelity patient simulations
  • generate patient care documentation accurately reflecting all aspects of an emergency response
  • employ leadership skills appropriate for the patient condition, resources available on scene, and local EMS system constraints

PMED 131 Trauma, Shock, EMS Operations, and Field Internship

  • Units:17.5
  • Hours:114 hours LEC; 603 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:PMED 121 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Paramedic Program
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course integrates assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression and implement a treatment/disposition plan for a patient with a traumatic complaint. The course also provides awareness of EMS operational practices, and includes a field internship with regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) partners.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • integrate knowledge of causes and pathophysiology into the management of cardiac arrest and peri-arrest states.
  • recognize the signs, symptoms, and treatments associated with each type of shock.
  • apply ethical considerations during the management of cardiac arrest states.
  • utilize trauma scoring procedures to determine patient acuity.
  • assess and manage patients with abdominal and/or genitourinary trauma.
  • assess and manage patients with bleeding emergencies.
  • assess and manage patients with trauma to the chest.
  • assess and manage patients with environmental emergencies.
  • assess and manage patients' head, facial, neck and spine trauma.
  • assess and manage patients with multi-systems trauma.
  • assess and manage patients with nervous system trauma.
  • assess and manage patients orthopedic and soft-tissue trauma.
  • integrate special trauma considerations when treating pregnant, pediatric, geriatric, and cognitively impaired patients.
  • demonstrate proper maintenance and operation of emergency vehicles.
  • integrate incident management concepts into emergency response.
  • understand and utilize concepts of Crew Resource Management during emergency response.
  • integrate the principles of Multiple Casualty Incidents (MCI) during specific emergency response.
  • demonstrate awareness of core practices and principles of rescue operations, hazardous materials and Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI) due to terrorism and disasters.

PMED 140 Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:6 hours LEC; 12 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Current Provider C Basic Cardiac Life Support card or county-approved equivalent certificate. Current licensure as a paramedic, nurse, physician, or allied health professional, or current enrollment in the last semester of an allied health program.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides education modules specific to pediatric emergencies for health care professionals. Certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is granted to students who successfully complete the course.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • assess ill and injured pediatric patients using medically acceptable standards
  • evaluate and interpret pathophysiological findings in pediatric patients
  • assess and identify patient criticality, as well as provide life-saving interventions according to PALS standards
  • implement communication skills with patients, family, and allied health professionals
  • complete the examination process required by PALS

PMED 142 Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:6 hours LEC; 12 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Current Provider C Basic Cardiac Life Support Card, equivalent licensure as a paramedic, nurse, physician, or allied health professional, or current enrollment in an allied health program.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides education modules specific to adult cardiac emergencies for health care professionals. Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is granted to students who successfully complete the course.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • assess ill and injured adult cardiac patients using the latest medically acceptable standards
  • evaluate and interpret pathophysiological findings in adult cardiac patients
  • assess and identify patient criticality and provide life-saving interventions according to the most recent ACLS standards
  • implement communication skills with patients, family, and allied health professionals
  • complete the examination process required by ACLS

PMED 146 Prehospital Trauma Life Support

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:5.5 hours LEC; 10.5 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Current licensure as an emergency medical technician (EMT), paramedic, nurse, physician, or allied health professional, or current enrollment in the last semester of an allied health program.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course is designed to improve the quality of trauma care and decrease mortality by stressing the treatment of the multisystem trauma patient. It utilizes the internationally recognized National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) curriculum. PHTLS is appropriate for EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physician assistants, physicians, and other prehospital providers.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • describe the physiology of life and death in a trauma patient.
  • recognize the components of a complete and thorough scene assessment.
  • describe an organized and complete patient assessment utilizing the X, A, B, C, D, E approach on a trauma patient.
  • describe and demonstrate the appropriate management of a trauma patient with complications affecting airway, breathing, circulation, hemorrhage, and shock.
  • discuss and compare the needs of patients with disabilities.

PMED 160 Introductory Wilderness Medicine

  • Units:2
  • Hours:27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides the didactic material and related skills necessary to establish a foundation of medical care in the wilderness setting. Topics include anatomy and physiology, care of traumatic injuries, patient assessment, environmental injuries, medical emergencies, common simple wilderness medical problems, basic wilderness survival for the initial responder, improvised bleeding control in the field setting, and selecting and caring for wilderness medical equipment and supplies. This course emphasizes improvised care options and long-term care in field settings.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • identify common wilderness medical problems
  • assess patients in extreme environmental conditions, such as severe heat, cold, altitude, and rugged terrain
  • identify resources for further learning in wilderness medicine
  • demonstrate proper use of personal protective equipment
  • correlate signs and symptoms of common diseases to patients and their primary complaint
  • report assessment findings, diagnosis, and treatment plans to appropriate health professionals

PMED 161 Advanced Wilderness Medicine

  • Units:2
  • Hours:27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:PMED 160
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides the didactic material and related skills necessary to establish an advanced level of medical care in the wilderness setting. Topics include anatomy and physiology, improvised airway control, principles of musculoskeletal care, synthesis of wilderness medicine and urban care, and common simple wilderness medical problems. Additionally, basic wilderness survival for the wilderness responder, and selecting and caring for wilderness medical equipment and supplies are covered. This course emphasizes improvised care options and long-term care in remote field settings.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • identify common wilderness medical problems
  • assess patients in extreme environmental conditions, such as severe heat, cold, altitude, and rugged terrain
  • demonstrate use of personal protective equipment from biohazards and other objective hazards of wilderness medicine, such as extremes of heat and cold, lack of water, altitude, and other hazards
  • demonstrate improvised treatments for common wilderness medical injuries, using minimal equipment
  • identify and refine a lightweight survival and medical kit for specific bioregions, such as desert, snow, water, or high altitude
  • differentiate between patients with mild, moderate, or severe disease in the wilderness setting
  • identify resources for further learning in wilderness medicine

PMED 165 EMS Search and Technical Rescue

  • Units:2
  • Hours:27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides a foundation in several technical rescue disciplines. Practical applications of water rescue, low angle and high angle rescue, and urban search and rescue are covered. Additionally, basic survival skills in rescue environments for the Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P), and selecting and caring for rescue equipment and supplies are covered. This course emphasizes scenario-based learning in safely assessing, managing, and pre-planning for the technical rescue environment.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • identify common environments and situations
  • assess safety hazards in the covered rescue environment
  • identify the rescue gear necessary for a given rescue environment
  • improvise rescue gear and techniques as necessary
  • complete a mock rescue

PMED 295 Independent Studies in Paramedic

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

Course description:
PMED 295 is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in this subject area, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. PMED 295 is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for PMED 295, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study project with a professor in this subject area and secure prior approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed.


PMED 298 Work Experience in Paramedic

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Students must be in a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job related to the paramedic field with a cooperating site supervisor. Students are advised to consult with the Paramedic faculty to review specific certificate and degree work experience requirements.
  • Advisory:Eligible for ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340.
  • General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within the paramedic field. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in associate degree level or certificate occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce, completion of Title 5 required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at an approved work site, and developing workplace skills and competencies.

During the semester, the student is required to complete 27 hours of related work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units. All students are required to attend the first course meeting, a mid-semester meeting, and a final meeting. Additionally, students who have not already successfully completed a Work Experience course will be required to attend weekly orientations while returning participants may meet individually with the instructor as needed. Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times when there are new or expanded learning objectives. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate mastery of specific job skills in the paramedic field related to an associate degree or certificate occupational program level career as written in the minimum three (3) learning objectives created by the student and their employer or work site supervisor at the start of the course.
  • make effective decisions, use workforce information, and manage their personal career plans.
  • behave professionally, ethically, and legally during work, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational norms.
  • behave responsibly during work, exhibiting initiative and self-management in situations where it is needed.
  • apply effective leadership styles during work, with consideration to group dynamics, team and individual decision making, and workforce diversity.
  • communicate in oral, written, and other formats, as needed, in a variety of contexts during work.
  • locate, organize, evaluate, and reference information during work.
  • demonstrate originality and inventiveness during work by combining ideas or information in new ways, making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, and reshaping goals in ways that reveal new possibilities using critical and creative thinking skills such as logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.

PMED 299 Experimental Offering in Paramedic

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This is the experimental courses description.


PMED 1000 Emergency Medical Technician: Refresher

  • Units:1.5
  • Hours:20 hours LEC; 21 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Current or recent certification as an Emergency Medical Technician.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides continuing education and skills verification modules for current Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) certified at the Basic Life Support (BLS) level. It satisfies most of the refresher requirements of local, state, and national Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certifying organizations. EMS-related topics include airway management and ventilation, cardiac care and resuscitation, patient assessment, injury management, legal and ethical issues, vital signs monitoring, and assisting with medication administration. This course does not provide preparation for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) entry or recertification exam. Completion of this course provides currently certified EMTs, wanting to recertify with the NREMT, with the 24 hours of required course content as well as the verification of required skills competency.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • assess ill and injured patients using standards promulgated by regional and national certifying organizations.
  • effectively obtain, evaluate, and interpret physiological data and assessment findings in the out-of-hospital setting.
  • assess and identify the level of acuity of a patient's condition.
  • provide interventions that preserve life and reduce suffering that are within the EMT current scope of practice.
  • establish and maintain effective communication with patients, family members, rescuers and other health care professionals.
  • recognize the indications and demonstrate the techniques for administering medications that are within the EMT scope of practice.
  • demonstrate minimum competency in Professional Rescuer level CPR, patient assessment/management and ventilator management skills, and knowledge.
  • demonstrate minimum competency in cardiac arrest management, hemorrhage control, and splinting procedures.
  • demonstrate minimum competency in spinal immobilization, obstetrics and gynecological emergencies, radio communications, and report writing and documentation.

PMED 1006 Post Licensure/Certification Out-of-Hospital Skills: Medical

  • Units:0.5
  • Hours:6 hours LEC; 9 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Current certification as an EMT-Basic (1) or licensure as an Paramedic
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides education modules related to medical emergencies for prehospital health care professionals. Each module will specifically address issues related to prehospital emergencies and local treatment protocol. This course provides continuing education credit necessary for maintenance of EMT-Basic certification or a Paramedic license. Pass/No Pass only.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • assess out-of-hospital emergency patients with medical emergencies using medically acceptable standards
  • evaluate and interpret pathophysiological findings in patients requiring medical management such as seizures, diabetic emergencies, and drug overdoses.
  • assess and identify patient criticality and provide lifesaving interventions according to national and local standards such as Naloxone administration for an opioid overdose.