PARAMEDIC CERTIFICATE    2009 - 2010

The El Centro College Paramedic Certificate program is a 34-42 semester hour program designed to prepare individuals to provide advanced prehospital care to emergency patients. Full time classes meet every day during the week and last approximately 6 months after EMT and Anatomy & Physiology classes.  Upon completion of the program, a certificate will be awarded.   All applicants are required to successfully complete assessment testing in math and reading comprehension skills.  Students enrolling in the program must have completed previous training as an Emergency Medical Technician and successfully complete an anatomy and physiology course as verified by their college transcript.  Students may also comply with this requirement by passing the anatomy/physiology  competency exam administered by the University of Texas Southwestern Emergency Medicine Education division.  Call 214-648-5246 for more information regarding this course or the exam.

Priority acceptance is given to area EMS agency personnel and other applicants are accepted to the program after those agency needs are met, typically allowing a few spaces for non EMS employed individuals. Program courses are taught off-site at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Division of Emergency Medicine Education.

The Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in conjunction with the Committee on Accreditation for Educational Programs for the EMS Profession (Camps).  Graduates will complete requirements for Texas Department of State Health Services EMT-Paramedic certification which includes National Registry of EMT's examinations.

EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

 Educational opportunities are offered by the Dallas County Community College District
 without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, sex, or disability.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS TO THE PARAMEDIC CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Applying for entrance to the Paramedic Certificate Program requires the following steps:

• graduation from high school or successful completion of the General Education Development (GED)
• achievement of minimum scores on reading comprehension and mathematics assessment testing
• completion of EMT course
  
• completed Hepatitis B series vaccination (all 3 shots)
  
• submission of a complete application packet (see directions) by the application cut off date 

APPLICATION PROCESS

STEP 1:
Applications for paramedic class are typically due 4 months prior to the beginning class date.  View and download the Paramedic Program Application Form through the link provided.

STEP 2: 
If you are accepted for an interview, you will be notified approximately 2-3 weeks after the application deadline. After interviewing, acceptance notice will follow 2-3 weeks later.  If accepted to the Paramedic class and you have not taken Anatomy & Physiology, you will automatically be scheduled for that class.  If you do not pass Anatomy & Physiology, you will forfeit your space in paramedic class.   

STEP 3:
Once accepted into the paramedic class, there is additional paperwork that will be required such as immunizations, physical exam, drug screening and a criminal background check.  Information on these forms will be mailed with the acceptance letter.  More information is included in the "Paramedic Certificate" information packet.  

ASSESSMENT TESTING

ALL applicants to the Paramedic Certificate program MUST achieve minimum assessment scores in reading comprehension and math skills.  Previously earned assessment test scores such as TASP, THEA, SAT, ACT, etc. may be considered.  Students who are TASP exempt through previous coursework, previous degrees, or the "B or Better" provision ARE NOT EXEMPT from the math assessment testing for application to the Paramedic Certificate program. 

An appointment to test is not necessary, however, applicants must obtain a testing referral slip from the El Centro College Continuing Education Office, Room A-260.   Please contact the Assessment Center at 214-860-2178 for hours of operation.   For further assistance regarding assessment testing, please consult the El Centro College Health Occupations Admissions Office. 

Students may present any combination from the reading and math test columns below to fulfill the assessment testing requirement for application to the Paramedic Certificate program.  Minimum acceptable scores for each test are indicated.  TASP, THEA, SAT and ACT scores have no expiration date.  All other test scores are valid for two years from time of testing to date of application.     
                  

The math assessment testing is required regardless of an applicant's prior completion of previous college degrees or coursework.  However, a college level English 1301 course can satisfy the reading assessment requirement with a passing grade.

RETESTING POLICY

Applicants to the Paramedic Certificate program who do not achieve minimum scores in reading and math assessment testing may retest one time with permission from the El Centro College Continuing Education Office.  If the applicant does not achieve minimum required scores on the retest, the applicant must complete one of the following options before being granted a third and final testing opportunity during that application filing period.  The three options are: a)  enrolling in developmental coursework; b)  submit documented proof of obtaining tutoring; or c) enrolling in the Continuing Education course "College Fresh Start" which grants access to the College Learning Center for self-remediation utilizing computer programs, video/audio tapes, etc.  If the applicant does not achieve minimum scores on the final retest, the applicant will not be allowed to submit an application during the current filing period and cannot test again until the following semester.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW - PARAMEDIC CERTIFICATE

The Paramedic Certificate is designed to prepare individuals to provide pre-hospital care to emergency patients.  The program will provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, psychomotor skills, attitudes and personal behaviors necessary to function in the role of entry level paramedic.  The curricula is designed to provide courses which teach the Paramedic to administer advanced life support including IV initiation, endotracheal and nasotracheal intubation, drug administration by various routes, interpret electrocardiograms (ECG's), perform defibrillation, cardioversion, non-invasive pacing, and pleural decompression. 

                                                                                       Credit Hrs.   Lec. Hrs.   Lab Hrs.   Ext. Hrs.  Contact Hrs.   

 PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENT                                                 

Completion of EMT training and transcripted                      8 *       

Anatomy/Physiology coursework or passing                     

the Anatomy/Physiology competency exam.

MINI-SEMESTER I                                                           Credit Hrs.   Lec. Hrs.   Lab Hrs.   Ext. Hrs. Contact Hrs .

EMSP       1338      Introduction to Advanced Practice       3                  2               2               0              64

EMSP       1355      Trauma Management                           3                  2               2               0              64

EMSP       2544      Cardiology                                            5                  5               0               0             80

EMSP       2160      Clinical - EMS                                        1                  0                0               3            48

    Total Hours Semester I                                               12               9                4               3            256

MINI-SEMESTER II                                                           Credit Hrs.   Lec. Hrs.   Lab Hrs.   Ext. Hrs. Contact Hrs.

EMSP       2534      Medical Emergencies                            5                  4                2              0               96

EMSP       2430      Special Populations                              4                  3                2              0               80

EMSP       2161      Clinical - EMS                                        1                  0                0              3               48

    Total Hours Semester II:                                           10                 7               4              3               224

MINI-SEMESTER III                                                        Credit Hrs.   Lec. Hrs.   Lab Hrs.   Ext. Hrs.  Contact Hrs.

EMSP       2338      EMS Operations                                  3                  2                2               0               64

EMSP       2143      Assessment Based Management**    1                  0                2               0               32

EMSP       2362      Clinical - EMS                                       3                  0                0               9              144

EMSP       2563      Clinical - EMS (field)                             5                  0                0               15            240

    Total Hours Semester III:                                          12               2                4               24           480

GRAND TOTAL HOURS:                                                   42*                                                                960

*Students who have previous EMT, Anatomy & Physiology coursework/experience will receive 8 hours credit for   these two classes after completing Semester I of the Paramedic class. 

**EMSP 2143 - Assessment Based Management is the capstone experience.

APPROXIMATE Expenses for Paramedic Certificate

Please note:  Failure to pay the El Centro fees in the time frame described can result in our students not being able to continue to the next semester.

**** Residency Verification for Tuition Assessment****

(Please click above link for more details)  

    An In-District resident is termed as one who has lived in Texas a minimum of 12 months prior to enrollment and either 1) has established residence in Dallas County or is an employee of a fire department which is located within Dallas County or which owns and maintains property in Dallas County. 

   An Out-of-District resident is termed as one who has lived in Texas a minimum of 12 months prior to enrollment but is not a resident of Dallas County or employed by a fire department within Dallas County.

   An Out-of-State resident is termed as one who has lived in Texas less than 12 months prior to enrollment or is a citizen of a country other than the USA. 

** NOTE:  The El Centro tuition is waived for individuals employed by a Fire Department.

All fees subject to change.  Please consult the latest edition of the El Centro College catalog for current tuition scale, residency verification requirements, and refund policy.  See the UT Southwestern Emergency Medicine Education Division for latest textbook information.

The above cost estimates do not include any prerequisite courses which may be required. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. The Paramedic Certificate Program is 34-42 semester hour program comprised of lecture, lab, and internship experience.  Students enrolled in the program courses are TASP exempt.  The course is very compact and applicants must feel confident that they can devote an adequate amount of time to the class to be successful.  Students are strongly encouraged NOT to work during the full time course.  The course is 34 semester hours in approximately 6 months.  Courses are taught off-site at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

2. All classroom sessions are daytime, primarily 7:30 - 3:30 with some weekend clinicals.  Clinical rotations require that the student be available 6:45 am to 3:15 pm, or 2:45 pm to 11:15 pm or possibly 10:45 pm to 7:15 am.  Scheduling of clinical rotations and internship may not accommodate special student schedules. Additionally, students will need to be available to do field internship on a 24 hour on, 48 hour off basis.  These shifts on the ambulance begin and end at 7am.

3. Attendance in class and clinicals and field internship is required.  Excused absences are limited to illness and major personal problems.  Unexcused absences are not allowed and the student may be dismissed.     

4. Anatomy and Physiology for EMS Providers is required prior to paramedic school unless anatomy & physiology (minimum grade of C) is on the student’s college transcript.  A&P for EMS Providers is taught at UT Southwestern prior to paramedic classes.  The course is 7:30am-2:30pm, 10 days in a row (no weekends) and costs $200 plus approximately $60 for the book. Payment should be made by check or money order and include a copy of your driver's license.

5. Academic performance requirements are rigorous.  Students are required to demonstrate competency in their knowledge and comprehension, their psychomotor skills, and their professional behavior in order to complete the course.  Each didactic course has a final written exam that requires a passing score of 75% and quizzes with a 75% average.  Additionally, successful completion of the following courses is required:  Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS), Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP).  A research paper, a community service project, lab assignments, final practical examination, final comprehensive examination, clinical and field objectives, professional behavior competencies, and all basic and advanced skills exams are required to be successfully completed prior to graduation.

6. The Paramedic Certificate Program's clinical experience requires that students be physically able to care for patients.  This will involve lifting, moving, extricating adult and pediatric patients from entrapment, and transferring patients to an ambulance.  Students will be on their feet for at least eight hrs each clinical day.  Students must be able to auscultate breath and heart sounds, and verbally respond to emergency calls.  Students must be able to read fine print for medication administration purposes and may be exposed to patients with infectious diseases. Manual dexterity is required for skills such as starting IV's, administering medications, etc.  In the event that a student has or acquires a medical condition which may compromise their ability to care for patients, a medical release may be required from their physician.  It is also required that students carry health insurance.  You will need to provide a copy of your insurance card.  Detailed job descriptions are available on the UT Southwestern web site or on request from the office at 214-648-5246.

7. All students must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the "Healthcare Provider" level as designated by the American Heart Association.  A copy of a current CPR card must be submitted to the student's instructor on the first day of class.   CPR classes are available through the El Centro College Continuing Education Division, the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, and various hospitals and health organizations.

8. Once the students is accepted to the program, a physical examination and immunization record form must be completed and submitted to the El Centro College Health Occupations Admissions Office with other materials.  The form documents a medical history,  physical examination, and current record of the following immunizations:

• tuberculin skin test within the last six months (if positive, chest x-ray required within last 2 years)
• tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (TDaP) current within 2 years
• measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
  two doses of measles are required either separately or in combination with MMR.
• varicella disclaimer (2 varicella vaccinations or verification of having the disease)
• hepatitis B series  
  Students must have completed the Hep B series prior to the start of direct patient care or show serologic confirmation of immunity to the hepatitis virus.  Therefore, students must have completed the first 2 injections prior to registration for the Paramedic Certificate program and are responsible for submitting documentation verifying completion of all 3 injections to the Health Occupations Admissions Office before class begins.   The third dose must be 4-6 months after the first dose.  Health situations (i.e., pregnancy, allergies, and nursing mothers) which may prohibit the use of the hepatitis B vaccine must be documented by a physician, and a waiver signed by the student.

Students may visit a private physician, clinic, health maintenance organization (HMO), or medical center for the physical examination. The immunizations are available for students through the El Centro College Health Center at a reduced cost.  Please call 214-860-2113 to make an appointment for immunizations.  Chest x-rays and physical exams are not provided at the El Centro College Health Center. 

9. Once accepted to the program, criminal background check and drug screening requirements must be completed.  The criminal background check and drug screen will be conducted after a student has been accepted to a health occupations program and results are forwarded to the El Centro College Health Occupations Division administration before the student is allowed to attend a clinical rotation.  This initial procedure will be honored by all hospitals for the duration of the student's enrollment provided the student has not had a break in enrollment (one fall or spring semester) in the program.  Previous documentation from fire department personnel records may be accepted.  Civilian applicants must initiate this process prior to the first day of class.  Guidelines are distributed through the El Centro College Health Occupations Admissions Office.  The cost for the criminal background check and drug screening for civilians is approximately $84.00.  Civilians will not be allowed to attend hospital or field rotations until the results of the background check and drug screening are received by the El Centro College Health/Legal/Distance and Workforce/Continuing Education Division.  Please be aware that the criminal background and drug screening results are the property of El Centro College and will not be released to the student.  For more information, contact Suriya Edwards, Division Coordinator at 214-860-2269. 

Drug Screening

The drug screen follows National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) guidelines and screens for ten substances as designated in the Substance Abuse Panel 10 ("SAP 10").  These substances are:

Amphetamines                Cocaine Metabolites                     Opiates
Barbiturates                    Marijuana Metabolites                  Phencyclidine
Benzodiazepines              Methadone                                  Propoxyphene
 
SAP 10 test results that fall outside of any of the acceptable ranges are considered positive test results and are automatically sent for a separate confirmatory test by a Gas Chromatography Mss Spectrometry (GCMS) method.  If these results remain positive, the test results are sent to a Medical Review Officer ("MRO") which will entail an additional cost of $25-75 to the student.  The MRO will then contact the student to determine if there is a valid prescription for the drug in question.  If a valid prescription exists and is verified, the test result will be deemed to be negative and acceptable.

NOTE:  A clinical agency reserves the right to remove a student from the facility for suspicion of substance use or abuse including alcohol.  The clinical agency will notify the El Centro College Health Occupations administration to facilitate immediate removal of the student and request that the student submit to a repeat drug screening procedure at the student's expense on the same day of removal from the clinical agency.  Failure to comply will result in immediate expulsion from the clinical agency.  Further, regardless of testing or test results, the agency reserves the right to expel any student from their facility.  The agency will provide El Centro College Health Occupations administration with written documentation of the student's behavior(s) by two or more agency representatives.

Criminal Background Check

The criminal background check reviews a person's criminal history seven (7) years previous to the date of program application.  The check will include all cities and counties of the person's residency during that time period.  The following histories will disqualify an individual from consideration for a clinical rotation:

• Felony convictions
• Misdemeanor convictions or felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons (physical or sexual abuse)
• Misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc.)
• Felony deferred adjudications for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
• Registered sex offenders

Exceptions

If a licensing/registry body approves the individual to take the licensing/credential exam, the individual may participate in the clinical rotation.

The College may request an exception from the first clinical agency for a student with a felony deferred adjudication and no alternate recourse through a licensing/registry authority, i.e. Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas.  Following approval from the first clinical agency, the student may progress as stated above.

NOTE:   Should a student accepted to a health occupations program be prohibited from attending a clinical rotation experience due to findings of a criminal background check and/or drug screening, the student may be dismissed from the health occupations program.

For more information regarding the criminal background check and drug testing requirements, please contact Dr. LaCheeta McPherson, Associate Dean of Allied Health at 214-860-2271.

Please contact us if we may be of further assistance:

Pamela Farley, Admissions Advisor
Health Occupations Admissions Office
El Centro College
Main and Lamar
Dallas, TX 75202-3604
Telephone: 972-860-5002
E-mail:  pfarley@dcccd.edu>
 
Debra Cason, Program Director
Anissa Jackson, Administrative Assistant
Emergency Medicine Education
UT Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75390-9134
Telephone: 214-648-5246
E-mail:  Debra.Cason@UTSouthwestern.edu
E-mail:  Anissa.Jackson@UTSouthwestern.edu

 FINANCIAL AID FACT SHEET EL CENTRO COLLEGE

Financial Aid may be available to students in the paramedic program.  Please check with the Financial Aid Department to find out what may be available for you.

It is important that students and parents understand that eligibility criteria vary with as much variety as there are funds available.  The Financial Aid Office's objective is to match each student's eligibility for these various funds in a manner that provides equity and consistency of treatment to all students within the guidelines of each funding program.

Counseling staff is available by appointment to discuss financing options and college planning for anyone in the community.  Please call the El Centro Financial Aid Office at (214) 860-2097 to schedule an appointment or to request further information.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council through its member Metroplex hospitals offers a number of scholarships and loan programs.  Many of these scholarships/loans involve a work commitment of employment at the sponsoring hospital.  For more information on these scholarships and loans, please contact The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council at 214-791-0717.

OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES AT EL CENTRO COLLEGE