Two Associate’s Degrees

EMT/Paramedic and Paramedic/Firefighter Specialties

Macomb County’s fire departments and EMS agencies require qualified entry-level applicants, and Macomb Community College is meeting their needs by providing two associate’s degree programs. The Paramedic/Firefighter specialty has been endorsed by the Macomb County Fire Chiefs Association, and will provide an advantage to the graduate in securing employment at area EMS/FD agencies. Almost all  fire departments, EMS providers and hospitals in Macomb County participates with our program. These facilities serve as advisory board members and/or as clinical mentoring sites.

Two Certificate Programs

Basic EMT and Paramedic

Macomb also offers the EMT and Paramedic curriculum as a “stand-alone” program for those wishing to receive a certificate enabling them to take the EMT and Paramedic state licensing examinations. The program exceeds the requirements for accreditation by the Michigan Department of Community Health as well as national standards.

Basic EMT

This is an open enrollment 1 semester course that prepares the student for a licensing exam.  Upon successful completion the student may obtain a Basic EMT license, the state minimum requirement to work for an EMS agency.  There are 3 classes that are taken concurrently; a lecture, skills lab, and a clinical rotation class which exposes the student to the real world. The Basic EMT is trained in EMS operations, patient assessment, CPR and airway management, as well as treatment for traumatic injuries and medical emergencies

The Basic EMT program is repeated every Fall and Winter semester.  Potential candidates must take placement exams, and score above a 60 on the COMPASS reading exam.  There are additional costs that are the student’s responsibility.  The student must have a physical exam, acquire immunizations, pass a drug screen, purchase a uniform, and carry his/her own health insurance.

Paramedic

The paramedic program is a continuation of the Basic EMT curriculum, and students are chosen through a petition process.  At the end of the program the student is eligible to take the licensing exam for the paramedic.

The paramedic is skilled at drug administration, cardiac interpretation and care, advanced airway techniques, defibrillations, as well as life-saving surgical techniques.

The paramedic curriculum is presented in two formats.  The Fall Traditional program consists of approximately 20 hours of class per week, as well as 250 hours of hospital experience, and 250 hours performing an EMS Internship.  It runs from August to the following August.  The Winter Accelerated format runs 5 days a week 8 hours a day.  The same content and clinical exposure time are met.  The program Starts in early January, and ends in August.

Requirements are successful completion of a Basic EMT program, plus a score of 34 or better on the COMPASS algebra placement exam; this is in addition to the reading requirement of 65 or better.  There will be additional costs that will be the student’s responsibility.  These include an updated physical exam and drug screen, updating of immunizations and/or uniforms, as well as maintain his/her own medical insurance.
 
For more information on EMS programs
Call: 586.286.2189 or email: mangoldp@macomb.edu