AAS Degree Considerations

What You Should Consider About This Program or Career Choice

• General education and PS classes are scheduled on the college campus. Correlated clinical experience take place in selected hospitals and ambulance transport services throughout the area. Courses are taught by individuals experienced in the field and are offered at a variety of times.
• You will be required to communicate easily and clearly with patients and coworkers.
• You must accept responsibility for your actions.
• You will stand and walk most of the day.
• Working under pressure requires good physical health and emotional stability.
• You will be working with patients who may be contagious or have communicable diseases.
• You will have access to private health information and will need to maintain confidentiality of patient information.
• By the year 2017 (estimated) certification for the State of Iowa will require a Paramedic education. Credentialing in the State of Iowa may be obtained by passing the Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic exam.
• There are two parts for the NREMT-P. First, the paramedic student must pass the practical exam and then must pass the written exam. The Paramedic is required to obtain continuing education hours for recertification within two years of initial certification.