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Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic, AAS (71 Credit Hours) 

The Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree at °ÙÃĵ¼º½ (°ÙÃĵ¼º½) prepares students to become competent, entry-level paramedics ready to serve in a variety of emergency medical service roles. 

The program begins with EMT 1500, an introductory course that, along with general education classes, fulfills part of the AAS degree requirements. After successfully completing EMT 1500, students are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam. Upon passing the exam and obtaining state licensure, students may enter the workforce as EMTs to gain valuable field experience while continuing their coursework toward the Paramedic AAS degree. 

This degree pathway is designed to: 

• Build a strong foundation in emergency medical care. 

• Provide hands-on clinical and internship experiences. 

• Support career advancement from EMT to Paramedic. 

The paramedic program portion of the AAS degree begins each January and concludes in December. Students must complete paramedic courses in a prescribed sequence. Admission prerequisites include: 

• Current EMT state certification or licensure, or NREMT certification. 

• Experience as an EMT is highly recommended. 

Enrollment in the paramedic program is limited to 20 students per year. The application period runs from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 for the following calendar year. Prospective students must also apply and be accepted to °ÙÃĵ¼º½. 

What can I do with this degree? 

Graduates of the AAS programs are prepared for careers in a wide range of emergency and healthcare settings. EMTs and Paramedics commonly work for: 

• Ambulance services 

• Fire departments 

• Rescue agencies 

• Hospitals and emergency departments 

• Urgent care centers and clinics 

In addition to providing life-saving care in the field, paramedics may also work in specialized roles such as critical care transport, tactical EMS, or community paramedicine. 

Earning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree can also open doors to career advancement, including opportunities in supervisory, training, or administrative roles within EMS organizations. It may also serve as a steppingstone toward further education, such as a bachelor’s degree in healthcare, public safety, or emergency management. 

Visit °ÙÃĵ¼º½'s Career Resources to find tools for selecting the right program for you and marketing yourself to future employers.

Credit Diploma

The Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Credit Diploma at Laramie County Community College (°ÙÃĵ¼º½) prepares students to become competent, entry-level paramedics ready to serve in a variety of emergency medical service roles. 

This diploma pathway is designed to: 

• Build a strong foundation in emergency medical care. 

• Provide hands-on clinical and internship experiences. 

• Support career advancement from EMT to Paramedic. 

The paramedic program begins each January and concludes in December. Students must complete paramedic courses in a prescribed sequence. Admission prerequisites include: 

• Current EMT state certification or licensure, or NREMT certification. 

• Experience as an EMT is highly recommended. 
• Current CPR card (Health Care Provider).

Enrollment in the paramedic program is limited to 20 students per year. The application period runs from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 for the following calendar year. Prospective students must also apply and be accepted to °ÙÃĵ¼º½. 

What can I do with this degree? 

Graduates of the diploma programs are prepared for careers in a wide range of emergency and healthcare settings. Paramedics commonly work for: 

• Ambulance services 

• Fire departments 

• Rescue agencies 

• Hospitals and emergency departments 

• Urgent care centers and clinics 

In addition to providing life-saving care in the field, paramedics may also work in specialized roles such as critical care transport, tactical EMS, or community paramedicine. 

What can I do with this credential? 

Graduates of the EMT Course are prepared for entry-level careers in a variety of emergency and healthcare settings, including: 

• Ambulance services 

• Fire departments 

• Rescue agencies 

• Hospitals and emergency departments 

• Urgent care centers and clinics 

This credential also serves as a steppingstone for further advancement in the EMS field, including progression into the Paramedic AAS program and beyond. 

Visit °ÙÃĵ¼º½'s Career Resources to find tools for selecting the right program for you and marketing yourself to future employers.

EMT 1500 Course

EMT 1500 is a foundational course within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at °ÙÃĵ¼º½ (°ÙÃĵ¼º½) and serves as a required first step toward entry into the Paramedic program. 

This one-semester course, offered during both the fall and spring semesters, prepares students to become Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), front-line responders who provide critical prehospital care in emergency situations. 

The course is delivered in a hybrid format, combining: 

• Online and in-person lectures 

• Hands-on laboratory sessions 

• Supervised clinical and field internship experiences 

Upon successful completion of EMT 1500, students are eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam. Passing this exam and obtaining state licensure qualifies students to begin working as EMTs and gain valuable field experience, an essential step for those planning to continue into the Paramedic program. 

What can I do with this credential?

EMS personnel (EMTs and paramedics) typically work for private ambulance services, fire departments, hospitals, or other rescue services. They may also work within hospitals, emergency departments and clinics, or urgent care facilities.

Visit °ÙÃĵ¼º½'s Career Resources to find tools for selecting the right program for you and marketing yourself to future employers.

Work Force Development also offer non-credit classes such as CPR and first aid training.

 Paramedic Characteristics:

The paramedic must be a confident leader who can accept the challenge and high degree of responsibility entailed in the position. The paramedic must have excellent judgment and be able to prioritize decisions and act quickly int he best interest of the patient, must be self-disciplined, able to develop patient rapport, interview hostile patients, maintain safe distance, and recognize and utilize communication unique to diverse multicultural groups and ages within those groups. Must be able to function independently at optimum level in a non-structured environment that is constantly changing.

Even though the paramedic is generally part of a two-person team working with a lower skill and knowledge level Basic EMT, it is the paramedic who is held responsible for safe and therapeutic administration of drugs including narcotics. Therefore, the paramedic must not only be knowledgeable about medications, but must be able to apply this knowledge in a practical sense. Knowledge and practical application of medications include thoroughly knowing and understanding the general properties of all types of drugs including analgesics, anesthetics, anti-anxiety drugs, sedatives and hypnotics, anti-convulsants, central nervous stimulants, psychotherapeutics which include anti-depressants, and other anti-psychotics, anti-cholerginics, cholergenics, muscle relaxants, anti-dysrythmics, anti-hypertensives, anti-coagulants, diuretics, bronchodilators, opthalmics, pituitary drugs, gastrointestinal drugs, hormones, antibiotics, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, serums, vaccines, anti-parasitics, and others. 

The paramedic is personally responsible, legally, ethically, and morally for each drug administered, for using correct precautions and techniques, observing and documenting the effects of the drugs administered, keeping one's own pharmacological knowledge base current as to changes and trends in administration and use, keeping abreast of all contraindications to administration of specific drugs to patients based on their constitutional make-up, and using drug reference literature.

The responsibility of the paramedic includes obtaining a comprehensive drug history from the patient that includes names of drugs, strength, daily usage and dosage. The paramedic must take into consideration that many factors, in relation to the history given, can affect the type of medication to be given. For example, some patients may be taking several medications prescribed by several different doctors and some may lose track of what they have or have not taken. Some may be using nonprescription/over-the-counter drugs. Awareness of drug reactions and the synergistic effects of drugs combined with other medicines and in some instances, food, is imperative. The paramedic must also take into consideration the possible risks of medication administered to a pregnant mother and the fetus, keeping in mind that drugs may cross the placenta.

The paramedic must be cognizant of the impact of medications on pediatric patients based on size and weight, special concerns related to newborns, geriatric patients and the physiological effects of aging such as the way skin can tear in the geriatric population with relatively little to no pressure. There must be an awareness of the high abuse potential of controlled substances and the potential for addiction, therefore, the paramedic must be thorough in report writing and able to justify why a particular narcotic was used and why a particular amount was given. The ability to measure and re-measure drip rates for controlled substances/medications is essential. Once medication is stopped or not used, the paramedic must send back unused portions to proper inventory arena.

The paramedic must be able to apply basic principles of mathematics to the calculation of problems associated with medication dosages, perform conversion problems, differentiate temperature reading between centigrade and Fahrenheit scales, be able to use proper advanced life support equipment and supplies (i.e. proper size of intravenous needles) based on patient's age and condition of veins, and be able to locate sites for obtaining blood samples and perform this task, administer medication intravenously, administer medications by gastric tube, administer oral medications, administer rectal medications, and comply with universal precautions and body substance isolation, disposing of contaminated items and equipment properly.

The paramedic must be able to apply knowledge and skills to assist overdosed patients to overcome trauma through antidotes, and have knowledge of poisons and be able to administer treatment. The paramedic must be knowledgeable as to the stages drugs/medications go through once they have entered the patient's system and be cognizant that route of administration is critical in relation to patient's needs and the effect that occurs.

The paramedic must also be capable of providing advanced life support emergency medical services to patients including conducting of and interpreting electrocardiograms (EKGs), electrical interventions to support the cardiac functions, performing advanced endotracheal intubations in airway management and relief of pneumothorax and administering of appropriate intravenous fluids and drugs under direction of off-site designated physician.

The paramedic is a person who must not only remain clam while working in difficult and stressful circumstances, but must be capable of staying focused while assuming the leadership role inherent in carrying out the functions of the position. Good judgment along with advanced knowledge and technical skills are essential in directing other team members to assist as needed. The paramedic must be able to provide top quality care, concurrently handle high levels of stress, and be willing tot take on the personal responsibility required of the position. This includes not only all legal ramifications for precise documentation, but also the responsibility for using the knowledge and skills acquired in real life-threatening emergency situations.

The paramedic must be able to deal with adverse and often dangerous situations which include responding to calls in districts known to have high crime and mortality rates. Self-confidence is critical, as is a desire to work with people, solid emotional stability, a tolerance for high stress, and the ability to meet the physical, intellectual and cognitive requirements demanded by this position.

Physical Demands:

Aptitudes required for work of this nature are good physical stamina, endurance, and body condition that would not be adversely affected by frequently having to walk, stand, lift, carry, and balance at times, in excess of 125 pounds. Motor coordination is necessary because over uneven terrain, the patient’s, the paramedic’s, and other workers’ well-being must not be jeopardized.

Comments:

The paramedic provides the most extensive prehospital care and may work for fire departments, private ambulance services, police departments, or hospitals. Response times for nature of work are dependent upon nature of call. For example, a paramedic working for a private ambulance service that transports the elderly from nursing homes to routine medical appointments and check-ups may endure somewhat less stressful circumstances that the paramedic who works primarily with 911 calls in districts known to have high crime rates. Thus, the particular stresses inherent in the role of the paramedic can vary depending on place and type of employment.

However, in general the paramedic must be flexible to meet the demands of the ever-changing emergency scene. When emergencies exist, the situation can be complex and care of the patient must be started immediately. In essence, the paramedic in the EMS system uses advanced training and equipment to extend emergency physician services to the ambulance. The paramedic must be able to make accurate independent judgments while following oral directives. The ability to perform duties in a timely manner is essential, as it could mean the difference between life and death for the patient. 

Use of the telephone or radio dispatch for coordination of prompt emergency services is required, as is a pager, depending on place of employment. Accurately discerning street names through map reading, and correctly distinguishing house numbers or business addresses are essential to task completion in the most expedient manner. Concisely and accurately describing orally to dispatcher and other concerned staff, one's impression of patient's condition, is critical as the paramedic works in emergency conditions where there may not be time for deliberation. The paramedic must also be able to accurately report orally and in writing, all relevant patient data. At times, reporting may require a detailed narrative on extenuating circumstances or conditions that go beyond what is required on a prescribed form. In some instances, the paramedic must enter data on computer from a laptop in ambulance. Verbal skills and reasoning skills are used extensively. 

*Taken from Paramedic Functional Job Analysis/Technical Standards. Source: USDOT 1998 National Standard Paramedic Curriculum

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To successfully progress through the Credit Diploma or AAS Paramedic program at Laramie County Community College (°ÙÃĵ¼º½), students must maintain a minimum grade of 75% in each course. Final course grades are calculated based on total accumulated points and follow this grading scale: 

• 90-100% = A 

• 80-89% = B 

• 75-79% = C 

• Less than 75% = F (Fail) 

A final grade of 75% or higher is required to continue in the program. Students who earn less than 75% in any course will be dismissed from the program. 

In addition to academic coursework, students must successfully pass certification exams with the required scores, including: 

• American Heart Association (AHA):  

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) 

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) 

• National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT):  

• Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) 

These certifications are essential for program completion and professional readiness. 

Due to the accelerated pace and rigorous demands of the full-time Paramedic program at °ÙÃĵ¼º½ (°ÙÃĵ¼º½), outside employment is generally not recommended. However, this decision should be made based on each student’s ability to manage academic and clinical responsibilities effectively. 

Please note: 

Students will not be excused from class sessions, clinical rotations, or other program requirements to accommodate personal work schedules. Academic and clinical commitments must take priority to ensure successful progression through the program.