Emergency Medical Services Technician-Paramedic, C.A.S.

John Hitchens, Emergency Medical Services Program Coordinator
(304)367-4501
Jhitchens@pierpont.edu

Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professional (CoAEMSP)
3301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
(214) 703-8992 Fax
www.coaemsp.org

Program Purpose

The Emergency Medical Services C.A.S. program primary goal is to provide individuals with the knowledge, skills and attributes to provide advanced emergency medical care as a paramedic for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system and prepares graduates to enter the workforce. Students will gain complex knowledge, competency, and experience while employing evidence-based practice under medical oversight and serve as a link from the scene into the healthcare system. Graduates of this program may be eligible to take the National Registry Paramedic exam. 

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Emergency Medical Services, C.A.S. program is based upon the following criteria:

1. Apply to Pierpont Community and Technical College for the term you want to begin the program and meet the general admission requirements or be a current student
   1. First-time students should select “Emergency Medical Services CAS” as their educational goal on their application.
   2. Current students will need to complete a Change of Major form and select “Emergency Medical Services: Certificate” as their requested major.

Qualified students are accepted until capacity is met.

*Students can begin the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Program Requirements

• Students are required to complete a student orientation with the Program Coordinator.
• Students must pass a criminal background clearance check, meet health and immunization requirements, and drug testing.
• Students must be able to meet the essential functions of the program and classes, with or without accommodations.
• Students will need to provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

To remain in the C.A.S. program and to be eligible to take the National Registry of EMT’s Paramedic examination, a “C” or higher must be maintained in each EMMS course and a favorable recommendation from the program faculty and medical director is required.  Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in dismissal from the program. Readmission is on the basis of reapplication and reacceptance.

According to West Virginia Division of Health Legislative Rules 64 CRS 48-9 and 48-10, anyone wishing to receive certification from the West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services must meet and maintain the qualifications contained in this legislation.  Certification will be denied or revoked to anyone not being able to meet these requirements.  Contact the WV Office of Emergency Medical Services at (304) 558-3956 or http://www.wvoems.org to obtain a copy of these requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the C.A.S. in Emergency Medical Services, graduates will be able to do the following:

• Be advocates for patients
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of a Paramedic within an EMS systems
• Apply the basic concepts of development, pathophysiology and pharmacology in assessment and management of emergency patients
• Properly administer medications
• Communicate effectively with patients

Opportunities

Emergency Medical Services play a key role in the health care delivery system in the United States by providing the appropriate basic and advanced life support to the sick and injured to the pre-hospital setting.  The primary responsibility of the Paramedic is to provide expert emergency medical care to victims of emergencies and to transport them safely to the appropriate facility.  The individuals who successfully complete the C.A.S. certificate will possess these attributes and will be eligible for employment with public and private EMS providers, hospitals, and aeromedical services.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the EMS professionals with expected national growth from 2019-2029 to be (6%), faster than average of all occupations, with a median national annual salary of $36,650 (2020).

Program Data

Pierpont Community & Technical College is proud to be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This means that Pierpont’s educational programs and services have been evaluated through a peer review process for quality and continuous improvement. You can be assured that our education meets acceptable quality, federal guidelines, and the transferability of credit.

Since 2013, the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) requires successful completion of an accredited program as an eligibility requirement for National EMS Certification at the Paramedic level. PCTC Paramedic program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the largest programmatic accreditor in the allied health sciences field, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). Candidates that graduate from a CAAHEP accredited program retain the ability to apply for national EMS certification that will enhance the ability to apply for reciprocity in the majority of states.