(CIP Code: 51.0904)

Program Description:

The Emergency Medical Services Program offers various educational and professional pathways for students, including the Emergency Medical Services AAS degree. Students that successfully complete the Paramedic Technology Certificate have the option to continue on towards completion of this AAS degree with only a few additional academic courses. These academic courses can be taken prior to entering the Paramedic Academy or afterwards. Graduates with this AAS degree have more options for professional advancement in the EMS field. Additionally, certified Paramedics are given the honorary title of Licensed Paramedic (LP) upon conferring a degree to denote the level of educational success.

Paramedic Technology Certificate Information:

Successful completion of the Paramedic Technology Certificate provides students with two levels of EMS certification - the EMT and the Paramedic. Students complete the courses necessary for EMT certification as prerequisites for admissions into the Paramedic Academy. Once admitted into the Paramedic Academy, students will complete a full year of study designed to prepare graduates with knowledge and skills utilized in the pre-hospital and emergency care of patients.

Enrollment in the EMT courses is not competitive entry and can be completed in one semester. Admissions into the Paramedic Academy is competitive, and students are admitted each Fall semester. Upon satisfactory completion of all the curriculum, a Paramedic Technology Certificate is issued to the student. Graduates are then eligible to take the National Registry Paramedic exam. The graduate will be considered a NREMT-P after successfully passing the examination.

The EMS Program is accredited through the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), as recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CoAEMSP, 8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088; (214) 703-8445; FAX (214) 703-8992. All EMS Program courses are approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), PO Box 149347, Austin, TX 78714-9347; (512) 834-6700; FAX (512) 834-6736.

Program Notes:

This is a competitive entry, cohort Applied Sciences Program at Blinn College. To be eligible for admissions into the Paramedic Academy, the following minimum criteria must be met.

1. Complete all admissions requirements to Blinn College. Acceptance into Blinn College does not guarantee acceptance into the Paramedic Academy. Admissions requirements for Blinn College should be seen as separate requirements from those within the Paramedic Academy application packet.
2. Be TSI College Ready in all subjects by Blinn College standards.
3. Completion of the Paramedic Academy application packet and all requirements therein by the stated deadline.
4. Current EMT certification or eligibility to certify-
   • Completion of EMSP 1501 & EMSP 1260, both with grades of “B” or better. To enroll in these courses at Blinn College, a student must be TSI College Ready in all subjects. Must have NREMT certification no later than 30 days after the first day of the Paramedic Academy.
   • Substitution of current, active NREMT certification with proof of documentation.
5. Completion of BIOL 2404 with a grade of “C” or better and must have been completed within 5 years of the application deadline.
   • Alternative option of completing BOTH of the following courses with grades of “C” or better and within 5 years of the application deadline- BIOL 2401 & BIOL 2402.
   • Student may also co-enroll in BIOL 2404 during the first semester of the Paramedic Academy. It is highly recommended to complete this course prior to starting the Paramedic Academy to be a more competitive applicant and to lessen the burden during the first semester. If this option is followed, a student MUST successfully complete BIOL 2404 no later than the first semester (Fall semester) of the Paramedic Academy to be eligible to continue.
6. Overall minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher.
7. Three letters of recommendation.
8. Admissions items considered, but not required- active EMS service, either paid or volunteer; active military service; and volunteering/community service.

Admitted students will be required to show proof of required immunizations and submit to a criminal background check and drug screening process to be eligible to continue into the EMT courses and/or the Paramedic Academy.

For the most accurate admissions requirements, please see the Programs’ websites at www.blinn.edu/twe/ems/. Advising for current Blinn students regarding this Program can be scheduled by emailing kynsie.benefield@blinn.edu.