Paramedicine (A.S.)
Associate in Science
Dean Lori Moon
413-236-4720• lmoon@berkshirecc.edu
A paramedic is an allied health professional who is a link from the community to the healthcare setting whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system.
Students will be able to apply the knowledge of paramedicine in the scope of the overall healthcare system and understand the paramedic's role in the community as a provider, educator and leader. A Paramedic possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response under medical oversight.
EMT and Paramedic Key Similarities and Differences
EMTs and paramedics both work for EMS to provide urgent and emergency care for patients. Both careers require a high school diploma, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – basic life support (BLS) certification for healthcare providers, a license to practice in their state, and certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). To become a paramedic, one must already hold EMT certification.
Paramedics must receive an additional 1,200 hours of training, so they can lead their team on the field, make decisions about where to take the patient for the best care, give oral and intravenous (IV) medication, and use advanced airway management techniques. Paramedics often earn higher pay because they receive additional education and learn more skills.
What is an EMT?
An EMT is a member of EMS who evaluates the patient's condition, provides them basic medical care, and transports them to the hospital.
What is a Paramedic?
A paramedic is a healthcare professional within EMS who has earned EMT certification and learned additional skills, such as stitching wounds, giving oral and IV medications, and reading electrocardiograms (EKG) for patients who need urgent medical care.
Expected Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to gather information, assess a patient, develop and execute a treatment plan as a team leader relative to the role of an entry-level paramedic
- Conduct oneself in a professional manner consistent with moral, altruistic, legal, ethical, regulatory, and humanistic principle
- Demonstrate proficiency in interpersonal relations respecting the cultural and personal traits of patients in a variety of settings
- Use critical thinking skills to assess and treat patients with altered health conditions in a variety of settings
- Communicate effectively through oral and written methods in a patient care setting
Admission Requirement
- High School Diploma or GED/HiSET
- Math: ACCUPLACER Next Generation QAS score of 262 or greater OR successful completion of MAT-028, MAT-028
Please note: To graduate with Health Science A.S. Degree in Paramedicine, students need to obtain Paramedic certification (any current state paramedic or National Registry Paramedic certification).
Graduation Requirements
- Program
- 24 credits transferred for credits for prior learning for successful completion of the paramedic certification course and passing the state exam.
- 36 credits earned at BCC to fulfill the requirements for an associate's degree.
- Total degree would be 60 credits leading to a Health Science Degree
Program Courses
| BIO-201 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO-202 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| AHS-230 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
AHS-208
| Credit for Paramedic Certification | 24 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 35 |
General Education Courses
COM-
| Communication | 3 |
ENG-
| English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| BIO-105 | Fundamentals of Biology | 4 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| MAT-136 | Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
-
| Or | |
| MAT-123 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
-
| Humanities | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 25 |
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
Required
ENG -
| English Composition | 6 |
| SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
COM-
| Communication | 3 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| AHS-230 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| BIO-201 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO-202 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| MAT-136 | Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
-
| Or | |
| MAT-123 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| BIO-105 | Fundamentals of Biology | 4 |
-
| Humanities | 3 |