Paramedics respond immediately to 911 emergency calls involving any type of accident, disaster or medical emergency. At the scene of the emergency, they quickly assess patients’ conditions and take action using recommended guidelines and procedures. You must have the ability to stay calm, identify and evaluate problems quickly, be physically fit, and communicate well.
The NPC Emergency Medical Services Department provides outstanding pre-hospital care education. The current NPC program has been revised and updated based on the most recent standards of the National Association of EMS Educators.
Classes are taught by experienced and knowledgeable emergency health care professionals. You'll be learning the most up-to-date, best practices available in this challenging field. You will satisfy paramedic certification requirements of both the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
- For more information about this program, please contact an NPC Academic Adviser. Also see the current NPC College Catalog and class schedule.
Once you become a paramedic, NPC offers continuing education courses to improve your knowledge and skills. The NPC EMS Department does not offer advanced placement, transfer for credit, or experiential learning.
Advanced Life Support (ALS/ACLS/PALS) Courses
Contact the Emergency Medical Services Department at (800) 266-7845 ext. 6715 for course scheduling.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) Refresher
- EMT 241 Advanced Life Support (ALS) Refresher is the three-credit continuing education class that fulfills the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the state of Arizona requirements for both paramedic and intermediate EMT recertification. The ALS refresher course is offered two or three times per year. Intensive block classes are a mixture of 48-hours of lecture and Skills return demonstration.
Advanced CARDIAC Life Support (ACLS) courses
- EMT 236 Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is a two-credit course, one-part lecture, one-part hands-on lab, focusing on didactic and psychomotor skills training and validation in techniques of advanced cardiac life support according to the current standards.
- EMT 238 Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Renewal is a half-credit lecture class to refresh emergency healthcare professionals on topics that include advanced airway management, defibrillation, cardioversion, arrhythmia recognition, pharmacology and management of heart attack and stroke patients.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) courses
- EMT 237 Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider is a one-credit lecture course, focusing on didactic and psychomotor skill education and training in techniques of Pediatric Life Support according to the most recent standards and guidelines. Topics covered include advanced airway management, defibrillation, arrhythmia recognition, pharmacology, intraosseous infusion and management of trauma, shock and respiratory medical emergencies.
- EMT 239 Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Renewal is a half-credit lecture class to refresh emergency healthcare professionals on topics that include advanced airway management, defibrillation, arrhythmia recognition, pharmacology, intraosseous infusion and management of trauma, shock and respiratory medical emergencies.
Labs and Classrooms
Paramedic Training I (EMT 244) is a 23-credit hour course that meets two full days per week, generally during the fall semester.
The final course, Paramedic Training II (EMT 245), is 26 credit hours and spans the spring semester.
Lecture classes meet on the Show Low campus, and clinicals/vehiculars are scheduled with agencies throughout the state.
Entry Requirements
Applicants to NPC's Paramedicine program must:
- be an Arizona-certified EMT-Basic with a minimum of one year of pre-hospital or emergency room experience;
- meet NPC placement requirements for College Composition I (ENL 101) and Basic Technical Mathematics (MAT 101); and
- have by the first day of class proof of MMR, TB (skin test before the start of the program), Hep B (or waiver), Tdap immunizations and a DPS fingerprint clearance card.
To begin the process, students must first enroll in Basic ECG and Pharmacology (EMT 240). Upon successful completion of the course, you must interview for acceptance into the Paramedicine program.
Work Environment
Most EMTs and paramedics work full-time, 24-48-hour shifts. Their work is physically strenuous and can be stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death situations. With additional certification, paramedics can work as a flight paramedic.
Job Outlook
Employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 24 percent through 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters and acts of violence, will continue to create demand for EMTs and paramedics.
Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the non-metropolitan northern Arizona median annual wage for EMTs and paramedics as $43,890 in May 2017. SOC 29-2041
Potential Job Titles
Paramedic, ALS-Medic, flight medic
Accreditation/Affiliations
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) provides national certification of EMTs and paramedics at three levels: EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic.
The NPC Paramedicine program is also certified by the Arizona Department of Health Services and by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
1361 Park Street • Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 210-2350 • Fax (727) 210-2354
www.caahep.org
CAAHEP Accreditation for Paramedics: “To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.”
Student Outcomes
Northland Pioneer College Paramedicine Program
National Registry Written and Practical Exams, Retention and Positive Placement
| 2017 August – May | 2016 January – October | 2015 August – May | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students Starting # | 17 | 9 | |
| Students Complete # | 13 | 9 | |
| Retention % | 76.5 | 100 | |
| NREMT % Pass | 100 | 100* | |
| Positive Placement% | 100 | 100 |
* Class 2015 had an 87.5% pass rate for the CAAHEP Accreditation report of 2015. In 2016 – 17, the 2015 students who had not passed NREMT completed their testing process.
Gainful Employment:
The U.S. Department of Education requires all colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible program that "prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation." See the Letter from the U.S. Department of Education (PDF).
Locations
Contact Information
1001 W. Deuce of Clubs
Goldwater Center, Room 122
Show Low,
AZ 85901
Student Profiles
