Paramedic Education Program

What is a Paramedic and What Does a Paramedic Do? 
A Paramedic is the highest trained pre-hospital health care professional. In addition to the basic training and skills of the EMT-B, the paramedic is trained in advanced patient assessment, trauma management, pharmacology and cardiology. This training includes advanced skills in intubation, cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, intravenous therapy, drug administration and specialized rescue techniques. Paramedic training is not limited to the above but provides some idea of the scope of training.

About the Course
The St.Vincent Hospitals and Health Services paramedic course exceeds the guidelines established by the US Department of Transportation and is approved by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The course is approximately 1,100 hours and takes an average of 12 to 15 months to complete. The course includes didactic instruction and clinical experiences in the hospital and an ambulance internship. The internet is also used for academic review, skill and clinical tracking.

Course Content
Course content includes, but is not limited to, modules in the following areas:

• Roles and responsibilities of the EMT-P
• Anatomy and physiology
• Medical terminology
• Cardiovascular pathophysiology
• Cardiac arrhythmia's
• Pharmacology
• Central Nervous System
• Pathophysiology
• Trauma Management
• OB/GYN
• Pediatrics
• Medical emergencies
• Psychiatric emergencies

• Emergency Department
•  Labor and Delivery
• Newborn Intensive Care
• Respiratory Therapy and Intensive Care
• Ambulance internship is provided on hospital-sponsored medic units

Admission
For consideration in this competitive program, applicants must be currently certified in Indiana as an EMT-B, complete, return the course application and required documents, and successfully complete each part of the entrance testing process. 

Expenses
Program tuition is currently $4,100.00 and a $500.00 deposit is required to hold the spot upon acceptance into the program.  Uniforms and textbooks are the responsibility of the student, and internet access is required as well.

Certification
Upon successful completion of the course the student is eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination and receive Indiana certification as a paramedic. Application for the state certification is dependent upon passing this examination.

What Opportunities are Available for a Certified Paramedic?
Employment opportunities exist with ambulance services, fire and police departments, hospital emergency departments and doctors' offices.

More Information?

The next Paramedic Course begins January 2011.  The application process begins August 2010. For more information please contact Kathi Ricketts at KARicket@stvincent.org.