The Paramedic certificate program is a short-term credit program intended to provide you with the latest information and skills needed to function more effectively in your job or to update your skills for employment possibilities. It will provide you and an employer with evidence of your continued education in a specific occupational area. The education you gain will increase your ability to function in a given area and broaden your skills.
This program prepares individuals to use critical thinking skills to provide treatment for medical, trauma and cardiac emergencies in the pre-hospital setting. The Paramedic transports patients to and between hospitals using ground and air ambulances and performs skills in a variety of settings, including 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 initiate IVs, perform endotracheal intubation, read electrocardiograms and provide cardiac defibrillation. Instruction in rescue operations, crisis scene management and medical triage is included.
This program will prepare students to become a Paramedic. This program 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). At the successful completion of the program, a Paramedic certificate will be awarded.
The student may further his or her education by obtaining an AAS degree (See the Paramedic AAS degree). The Paramedic certificate is the foundation of the degree. Within the degree, students may choose to specialize in one of three tracks: management, clinical or fire science. Most paramedics are interested in one of these areas of expertise.
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
