Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Online Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Online Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paramedic Emergency Health Science, A.A.S.


Program Description


Robert and Freda Brown Paramedic Program

This program is intended for students who are interested in helping and treating patients to achieve the highest level of care outside of the hospital. Prospective students should have an interest in the pathophysiology of disease, mathematic competence, and should be able to function effectively in a dynamic work environment.

Paramedics must be confident leaders who can accept the challenge and high degree of responsibility that is required for the position. They must have excellent judgment and be able to prioritize decisions and act quickly in the best interest of the patient. In addition, paramedics must be self-disciplined, utilize communication skills to develop rapport with patients/significant others from diverse ages and cultural groups, and function independently at an optimum level in a nonstructured, changing environment.

The program meets or exceeds the National Standard Curriculum set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and adheres to New Jersey State Paramedic Regulations NJAC 8:41 and 8:41A. The program is approved and sanctioned by the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Emergency Medical Services www.state.nj.us/health/ems/.

The Union County College Paramedic Emergency Health Science Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

 

CAAHEP

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US Highway 19 N, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

 

                            

To contact CoAEMSP:

8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214-703-8445
Fax: 214-703-8992
www.coaemsp.org       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Program Director Contact Information:

Scot Phelps
Paramedic Program Director
Plainfield Campus
scot.phelps@ucc.edu
Phone: 908-412-3551

Prospective students must meet the following requirements to be accepted into the degree program:

  • Have a current New Jersey EMT and Health Care Provider CPR certification.
  • Have a New Jersey Driver’s License with clean record.
  • Obtain the age of 18 by the first day of Paramedic I.

PMD course enrollment requires:

  • Completion of all remedial math and English course.
  • Two (2) applications for acceptance into the Paramedic Degree Program. The first application is submitted to the College. The second application is submitted to the Paramedic Program for acceptance into the program.
  • Attendance at orientation is mandatory.
  • Students are required to submit a clear criminal background check, demonstration of vaccination status, proof of a two-step PPD skin test, and a clean 5-panel drug screen result at the time of the orientation. The fees associated with these tests are paid by the student. 
  • There is a Paramedic Student Handbook which has policies and procedures that are specific to the program because of State and/or National mandates.

Advanced Placement in Paramedic:  There is a process in place for advanced placement for currently certified New Jersey Paramedics in good standing to obtain their Associate Degree in Applied Sciences.  Applicants for Advanced Placement may contact the program director for more information. Prospective students must provide copies of college transcripts indicating paramedic coursework, current NJ paramedic certification, current CPR, ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS certifications. Up to 38 credits may be awarded for prior PMD coursework with these current certifications. Required courses include PMD 214 - Paramedic Clinical III, offered during the Fall semester, worth 5 credits, and all general education coursework required in the program. 

Transfer of Credits

Transfer credits will be considered for general education courses based upon the New Jersey transfer guidelines. Program specific courses will not be accepted for transfer credit. 

Credits for Experiential Learning

Applicants requesting credits for experiential learning for general education courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

The program has the following goal defining minimum expectations for graduates:

  • To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency First Responder levels.

After Union County College


Graduates of the program will obtain national and New Jersey Paramedic Certification making them eligible for a Paramedic service nationally. Graduates can transfer to a four-year institution for continuation in a bachelor’s degree program.

Recommended Sequence


Prior to enrollment in the Paramedic Program, students need to have completed all developmental course work in English and Math.

Students are encouraged to complete all of the general education courses prior to enrollment, as the Paramedic Program is rigorous and time-intensive curriculum. Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 105) is a mandatory prerequisite of Paramedic I. Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 106) is a mandatory co-requisite of Paramedic I.

First Year


Semester Total: 13

Spring Semester


Semester Total: 15

Summer I Semester


Semester Total: 5

Summer II Semester


Semester Total: 3

Second Year


Fall Semester


Semester Total: 16

Spring Semester


Semester Total: 11

Total Program Credits: 63


Milestone Courses


The milestones (in bold) identify critical courses for timely progress and the semester in which the course should be completed for on-time graduation.  Milestone course grades < 2.0 should be discussed with an advisor.

Career and Transfer Information