The Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic AAS degree prepares individuals to use critical thinking skills to provide medical treatment for patients with illness or injury-related disease. The Paramedic provides medical care for patients, performing skills in a variety of settings including pre-hospital, emergency departments, critical care units and cardiac catheter labs. Course content includes anatomy and physiology, pathology and the identification and initial diagnosis of disease and injury in a variety of populations. Paramedics use advanced medical and surgical skills that may include initiation of advanced airway management techniques, interpretation of electrocardiograms and advanced cardiac and trauma life support protocols. Instruction in rescue operations, crisis scene management and patient triage is included.
This program will prepare students to become a Paramedic. It provides students with the necessary preparatory courses for seeking certification as a Nationally Registered Paramedic, which leads to certification as a Paramedic in the State of Iowa. National certification will require a passing score on a nationally-recognized certification exam of Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (NREMT-P).
In addition, the AAS program provides an avenue of specialized study in one of three categories: public administration, fire science, or advanced clinical knowledge. These three tracks offer the Paramedic the ability to obtain a higher level of understanding in his or her respective area. Each track requires the foundation courses to obtain an AAS degree and delves more deeply into the particular area of interest.
For those seeking management, the public administration track offers a broader understanding of management concepts and principles. While it does not provide the student a comprehensive education in management, it provides a flavor of what management is all about.
The clinical track enhances the paramedic with an emphasis on the sciences. Anatomy and physiology, chemistry and physics afford students with the basic requirements toward a variety of degrees. These students will have the basics to opt into a degree in nursing or other medical professions.
The fire science track prepares the paramedic for application to the fire service. While it will not make the paramedic a firefighter, it offers background knowledge in building construction, fire suppression and sprinkler systems. The student may opt to pursue a fire science degree at a later point or obtain his or her Firefighter I and Firefighter II training from the Fire Service Training Bureau. This unique program holds the paramedic as the foundation of the program, but provides the students with an opportunity to broaden their horizons and begin to experience the various facets of job opportunities awaiting them.
Criminal background checks will be completed on each student. Criminal convictions or documented history of abuse may delay or prevent students from participation in Paramedic education experiences. Students unable to participate in Paramedic education will be unable to complete the Paramedic program.
Location: Ankeny
