Paramedic Course

During this 14-month course, students will learn the required skills to successfully obtain a paramedic license and serve as a paramedic.

Students will obtain the following required certifications:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
• Pediatric Education for Prehospital professionals (PEPP)

Our course curriculum covers:

• An in-depth understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of disease
• Intravenous fluid and medication administration
• Definitive and comprehensive patient assessment techniques
• Emergent pharmacological administration
• Advanced cardiovascular assessment and treatment, including 12-lead ECG interpretation
• Advanced airway control, including surgical cricothyrotomy
• In-depth focus on pulmonology, cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, urology, gastroenterology, neonatology, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, and gerontology
• A comprehensive look at disease, including acid-base balance and blood chemistry
• Dealing with complex medical and traumatic life-threatening illnesses and injuries
• Pediatric assessment and field treatment, including intra-osseous cannulation and fluid therapy

+ Coursework: Students will complete weekly online coursework. Students are required to stay up-to-date on assigned work and the course schedule.

+ Labs: The labs are hands-on learning experiences completed with modern equipment used on ALS and BLS ambulances.

Labs are held at our Ann Arbor or Jackson locations. 

Students in both lab locations are trained with modern prehospital equipment. HVA Paramedic Instructor Coordinators run the labs at both locations.

Ann Arbor: 

• Labs are held at Huron Valley Ambulance. 
• Students receive hands-on training, including fully interactive patient care manikins, a high-fidelity SimMan manikin, interactive scene response training, and an EMS driver’s training simulator.

Jackson:

• Labs are held at Jackson College
• Students receive hands-on training with modern prehospital medical equipment including high-fidelity interactive patient care manikins.
• Students have hands-on practice in Jackson College’s state of the art simulation lab and driving simulator.

+ Clincials:
 Clinicals will be scheduled after the start of class. Students are required to complete:

• Adult Emergency Department: 120 hours
• Pediatric Emergency Department: 40 hours
• Critical Care Unit: 8 hours
• Labor & Delivery: 8 hours
• Trauma Burn: 8 hours
• Operating Room: 16 hours
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance third rides: 108 hours

+Internship:

The final six weeks of the program are your Capstone Internship. During this time, students gain the skills and confidence needed to serve as an entry-level paramedic.

The capstone entails:

• Prep for the National Registry Exam.
• Progressing through running basic 911 calls, and working toward leading patient care.
• An Additional 300 hours of ALS ambulance third rides, where the student is taking the lead on patient calls.

• Classwork is completed online and class and labwork are documented on online learning platforms.
• Testing and exams are computer-based and completed during in-person lab sessions.
• Students are trained on modern EMS equipment, including fully functioning patient care manikins, IVs, a cricothyrotomy kit, the EZ-IO System, and the LifePak15 cardiac monitor.
• Students use the Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital Simulation Center throughout the program.

• Students must complete the required number of lecture, lab, and clinical hours outlined in the table below.
• Students must achieve a passing grade in the class and on the final exam.
• Course grades are based on classwork, labs, assessments, and performance in clinicals and the internship.
• Students who pass the course and final exam receive a certificate of completion and will be eligible to take the National Registry exam for state licensure.

Total Course Hours and Credits Required

After completion of a paramedic program, the student should be able to:

• Maintain high clinical standards in all aspects of care.
• Safely drive and operate ambulances.
• Provide basic life support, including CPR, airway, suction, oxygen application, bleeding control, splinting, bandaging, etc.
• Provide advanced life support, including ACLS, airway management, medication administration, IV administration, etc.
• Provide convalescent care, including transporting sick, injured, and convalescent patients to and from medical facilities.
• Proficiently and safely perform patient handling, including stretcher operations, lifting, and loading.
• Treat patients with compassion and respect.
• Interact professionally and courteously with patients, family members, facility staff, and co-workers.

Credits earned at the HVA Center for EMS Education Paramedic Program can be transferred to the colleges listed below. The number of credits accepted varies by school.

• Jackson College
• Washtenaw Community College
• Siena Heights University