Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Paramedic Program

EMT header art

The Paramedic Program trains men and women for positions as emergency medical technicians-paramedics in various settings including ambulance services, fire departments and volunteer emergency care services. Students wishing to be considered for admission to the Paramedic Program must contact one of the approved agencies affiliated with South Cook County EMS Systems at Ingalls Memorial Hospital for additional information and referral.

Functional Job Description – Paramedic Qualifications

To qualify for EMS licensure an individual must successfully complete a State approved course and achieve competency in each of the psychomotor skills. In addition the individual must achieve a passing score on the State written licensure examination.

EMS personnel must have the ability to:

  • Communicate verbally via telephone and radio equipment.
  • Lift, carry and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance).
  • Interpret written, oral and diagnostic form instructions.
  • Use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations.
  • Work effectively in an environment with loud noises and flashing lights.
  • Function efficiently throughout an entire work shift.
  • Calculate weight and volume ratios and read small print, both under life-threatening time constraints.
  • Read and understand English language manuals and road maps.
  • Accurately discern street signs and address numbers.
  • Ability to interview patients, family members, and bystanders.
  • Document, in writing, all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such.
  • Converse in English with coworkers and hospital staff as to status of patient.

EMS personnel should possess good manual dexterity, with ability to perform all tasks related to highest quality patient care. Ability to bend, stoop and crawl on uneven terrain and ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold and moisture is vital. The ability to work in low light, confined spaces and other dangerous environments is required.

Description of Tasks

  • Receives call from dispatcher, responds appropriately to emergency calls, reads maps, may drive ambulance to emergency site, uses most expeditious route and observes traffic ordinances and regulations.
  • Determines nature and extent of illness or injury, takes vital signs, makes determination regarding patient status, establishes priority for emergency care, renders appropriate emergency care.
  • May administer intravenous drugs or fluid replacement as directed.
  • May use equipment such as but not limited to, defibrillator, EKG, performs advanced airway techniques, performs intravenous therapy and medication modalities.
  • Assists in lifting, carrying, and transporting patients to the ambulance and on to a medical facility.
  • Extricates patients from entrapment, assesses extent of injury, uses prescribed techniques, provides light rescue service if required, provides additional emergency care following established protocols.
  • Complies with regulations in handling deceased, notified authorities, arranges for protection of property and evidence at scene.
  • Determines appropriate facility to which patient will be transported, reports nature and extent of injuries or illness to the facility.
  • Identifies diagnostic signs that require communication with facility.
  • Reports verbally, and in writing, concerning observations about the patient, patient care at the scene and in route to the facility, provides assistance to emergency staff as required.
  • Maintains familiarity with all specialized equipment.

The Paramedic candidate must have successful completion of an approved curriculum with achievement of passing scores on written and practical examinations as defined by the program’s guidelines. Re-licensure is dependent upon an individual’s successful completion of inter-agency approved Paramedic continuing education courses. At any given time, performs any or all tasks performed by a lower level EMT. May supervise activities of students or interns, and/or may engage in writing of journal articles or teach.

Approval Process

Students wishing to be considered for admission to the Paramedic Program must contact one of the approved agencies affiliated with South Cook County EMS Systems at Ingalls Memorial Hospital for additional information and referral. To qualify for referral, students must:

  1. Possess an EMT-B Illinois license, and
  2. Be at least 18 years of age;
  3. Be a graduate from an approved high school or have earned a High school equivalency (HSE/GED®) certificate;
  4. Preferably have at least six months work experience
  5. Must complete Application and Testing for admission to the program. Applications and admission procedures can be found at www.regionviiems.com under South Cook County.
  6. Get admitted into the program by contacting the Coordinator (708) 915-6900 for further instructions.
  7. A photocopy of the student’s current health care insurance must be submitted to each respective program coordinator in order to participate at any clinical education site. Failure to maintain comprehensive health care insurance will result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the clinical site and thereby receiving a failing grade in the clinical education class. Furthermore, the student will be financially responsible to pay all medical bills and co-payments as a result of injuries or health issues that arise from participation of clinical education programs.
  8. Students are required to pay for, and pass a background check prior to admittance into the program. Students will be required to pay for this service.

Overview for College Success

Overview for College Success (OCS 121) is a course is designed to assist students in the navigation of becoming successful in college and life. Major topics include setting academic, career and personal goals; effective communication strategies; study skills; critical thinking; self-discovery; and learning styles. In addition, this course delves into topics such as stress management, diversity and other well-being topics. Students will develop educational and career plans, learn to utilize college resources and receive extensive help in course planning. OCS 121 credit is not calculated in the course minimum credit totals listed in this section.

Students must take OCS 121 if they meet one or more of the following:

  • First time degree seeking students.
  • Transfer student with less than 12 credit hours and no evidence of similar course on transcript.
  • Registering for 6 or more credits.
  • Test into 2 or more developmental classes.
  • Currently does not have OCS credit or registered for OCS.

 

Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Program (EMS.AAS)

Gainful Employment Information
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Emergency Medical Services programs train students in basic emergency care, intubation and how to administer medications. This degree requires two years of full-time study to complete. The program combines classroom work with extensive hands-on training in ambulances and hospital emergency departments. Students earn emergency medical technician (EMT) certification in these courses, and graduates.

Overview for College Success CREDITS
OCS 121 Overview for College Success 1
Program Prerequisites
EMT 215 Emergency Medical Technician
OR
Certification as an EMT
8
Cluster 1
BIO 115 Human Body Structure (Group V) 4
ENG 101 Composition & Rhetoric (Group I) 3
HIT 103 Medical Terminology 3
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (Group III) 3
SPE 108 Oral Communication (Group I) 3
Cluster 2
GROUP II Select from Humanities Elective
Students earning an Associate degree must meet the requirement for coursework on improving human relations as defined in Public Act 87-581.
3
EMS 210 EMS Foundations 3
EMS 212 EMS Respiratory 5
FAD 205 First Aid & CPR 2
Cluster 3
EMS 214 Trauma 5
EMS 216 EMS Cardiovascular 5
Cluster 4
EMS 218 EMS OB, PEDS 5
EMS 220 EMS Medical 4
EMS 222 EMS Partnership 4
Total Credit Hours: 60

 

Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Advanced Certificate (EMS.CERT)

Gainful Employment Information
The Paramedic Program trains men and women for positions as emergency medical technicians-paramedics in various settings including ambulance services, fire departments and volunteer emergency care services. Students wishing to be considered for admission to the Paramedic Program must contact one of the approved agencies affiliated with South Cook County EMS Systems at Ingalls Memorial Hospital for additional information and referral. To qualify for referral, students must:

  1. Possess an EMT-B Illinois license, and
  2. Be at least 18 years of age;
  3. Be a graduate from an approved high school or have earned a High school equivalency (HSE/GED®) certificate;
  4. Preferably have at least six months work experience
  5. Must complete Application and Testing for admission to the program. Applications and admission procedures can be found at www.regionviiems.com under South Cook County.
  6. Get admitted into the program by contacting the Coordinator (708) 915-6900 for further instructions.
  7. A photocopy of the student’s current health care insurance must be submitted to each respective program coordinator in order to participate at any clinical education site. Failure to maintain comprehensive health care insurance will result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the clinical site and thereby receiving a failing grade in the clinical education class. Furthermore, the student will be financially responsible to pay all medical bills and co-payments as a result of injuries or health issues that arise from participation of clinical education programs.
  8. Students are required to pay for, and pass a background check prior to admittance into the program. Students will be required to pay for this service.
OCS 121 Overview for College Success 1
EMS 210 EMS Foundations 3
EMS 212 EMS Respiratory 5
EMS 214 EMS Trauma 5
EMS 216 EMS Cardiovascular 5
EMS 218 EMS OB, PEDS 5
EMS 220 EMS Medical 4
EMS 222 EMS Partnership 4
Total Credit Hours: 31