Program Description

Paramedics are healthcare professionals who possess special knowledge and advanced skills in pre-hospital emergency medicine. They are the eyes, ears, and hands of the physician at the hospital, and as such, they render basic and advanced life support to patients at the scene of their injuries or illness and continue this while transporting these patients to the hospital. At all times, Paramedics are in radio contact with the physician at the hospital. Paramedics are part of the rapidly expanding branch of the health care profession known as EMS (Emergency Medical Services).

Paramedic training is a combination of classroom instruction (lectures and hands-on practical skills) and numerous areas of clinical experience. Actual classroom time is approximately 700 clock hours with an additional 600-800 clock hours of clinical experience. Both day and night sections are offered every fall semester. Classes meet two days/nights per week. Occasional mandatory days will occur throughout the three semester (12 month) course of instruction. Attendance is extremely important. Classroom absences are strongly discouraged and clinical absences are very limited regardless of the reason. Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry/ State of Tennessee Paramedic written and practical examinations.

Students who complete the Paramedic Training program may receive 25 hours of Advanced Placement credit hours toward the completion of an Associate of Applied Science degree in either Management with a Health Services concentration or Fire Science Technology with an Emergency Medical Care concentration (EMC).

Program Requirements

Gainful Employment for Paramedic Certificate

Accreditation

The Paramedic Program at Chattanooga State is approved by the Committee of Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession (CoAEMSP). The ACC Standards are established by the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Cardiology Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions - CoAEMSP, 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244. (817)-283-9403.

Admission Procedure

  1. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and possess a high school diploma or a GED.
  2. Applicants must be licensed as an AEMT or EMT-IV or eligible for licensure in the state of Tennessee.
  3. All applicants MUST attend an information session prior to applying to the Paramedic program.
  4. Submit all Paramedic Program application materials by May 31st.
    • Application for admission to Chattanooga State plus a non-refundable application fee if applicant is a first-time student (fee waived for returning students).
    • Allied Health Application indicating a desire to take Paramedic training.
    • Two official copies of high school transcripts or GED scores in sealed envelopes (one copy to accompany the Chattanooga State Application and one copy to accompany the Allied Health Application)
    • Students are required to take college placement tests and must contact the Program Director for advising at (423) 493-8765.
    • Entrance eligibility testing required:
      - EMT written test (must score 75% or higher)
      - Psychological Profile Examination
      - Appearance before an interview committee
      - Physical Agility & Practical Skills test
  5. Students will be selected for the program based on the EMT written exam and the interview portion of the eligibility testing. Note: The number of years of work experience as an EMT is also considered.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS:

It is your responsibility to complete both the Chattanooga State admissions process and the program admission process by this deadline.