This 64 credit-hour program is a joint educational venture with Northwest Community Healthcare, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department, and William Rainey Harper College. Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) program fulfills prescribed requirements by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to practice the art and science of pre-hospital care under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or a registered professional nurse credentialed in emergency care. Where authorized, EMT-P function under the direction of an EMS medical director in an Illinois Department of Public Health approved Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider agency. EMT-P follows strict guidelines for procedures that can be performed and for those procedures that provide extensive pre-hospital care. Paramedics are accountable to medical directors, their peers, the health care team and the public.

Paramedics are professional providers whose goal is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury. They are expected to assess and recognize medical, traumatic, emotional, and psychological emergencies as well as render basic life support care through advanced life support care in a wide variety of environmental conditions to people of all ages. They are responsible for transporting patients to medical facilities for further care and attention.

Working conditions vary. Paramedics work both indoors and outdoors. Openings occur for all working shifts including working on weekends and holidays. Many employers in this field require employees to be on call. Competition for jobs will be excellent in fire, police, or rescue squad departments, hospitals and private ambulance service due to attractive pay, benefits and job security. Many job openings occur due to replacement needs. Employment is projected to grow rapidly as paid emergency medical technician positions replace unpaid volunteers.

**Admission Requirements:

• Evidence of current Illinois licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician-B (EMT-B) or Emergency Medical Technician-1 (EMT-1).
  
• Evidence of six months field experience as an EMT-B, EMT-1, or a waiver request to the EMT-P (Paramedic) program coordinator. Compensatory experience may be gained by working as a technician in a hospital or clinic; however, acceptance of such compensatory experience rests with the EMT program coordinator.
  
• Evidence of written agreement with Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider agency.
  
• Agency for field experience and documentation of liability insurance to be filed with application.
  
• If not employed by the agency, applicants must submit verification of personal professional liability insurance.
  
• Proof of 18 years of age or older.
  
• Proof of a valid Illinois driver's license.
  
• Submission of official transcripts from Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or high school and all college/universities attended.
  
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification at the health care provider level.
  
• Submission of a Harper College general and paramedic program specific application form.
  
• Physical examination which states that the applicant meets all physical and psychological requirements for providing Basic Life Support (BLS) care with reasonable accommodation.
  
• Completed immunization record for rubella, rubeola, varicella, and hepatitis B. Hepatitis B vaccination is required or a waiver must be submitted refusing immunization.
  
• (Corrected) vision to 20/30 in at least one eye with color discrimination for at least red, amber and green.
  
• (Amplified) hearing adequate to distinguish blood pressures, breath, bowel, and heart sounds.
  
• Sufficient strength to lift patients with one partner (average 100-250 pounds).
  
• Manual dexterity sufficient to perform a physical assessment, CPR, endotracheal intubations, IV insertion and all other BLS and ALS skills specified in the curriculum and the EMS (Emergency Medical System) procedure manual.

Students with Disabilities:
The program does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. However, students are expected to demonstrate the physical capacity to perform all the essential functions of the paramedic profession during the program with or without reasonable accommodations.

If reasonable accommodation is to be exercised by a qualified individual with a disability using products, appliances, or personnel, it will be the studentís responsibility to contact the Access and Disability Services office at Harper College.

Students with Communicable Diseases:
Applicants with contagious diseases covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the EMS physician to determine if they are ìotherwise qualifiedî for the program under the ADA.